Newton freshmen rally to win at Gilbert

GILBERT — Falling behind 14-8 by halftime Friday night, Newton High’s freshmen had work to do in the second half. They got it done on both sides of the football.

Holding Gilbert’s Tigers in check the entire second half, Newton came up with the tying touchdown in the fourth quarter. Garrett Sturtz scored up the middle on a quarterback sneak for three yards.

Zach Combs lined up the extra-point kick and delivered the go-ahead point. Newton defeated Gilbert, 15-14, to go 5-0 on the season.

Part of the work came late in the first half. The Cardinals trailed 14-0. Matthew Karsten took a Gilbert kickoff and went 90 yards for a touchdown. Carson Cazett scored the two-point conversion run.

“We were really sluggish to start the game and dug ourselves a hole,” said Trent Powers, NHS assistant coach. “We put in a variation to our kickoff return this week and it really provided us a spark right before the half to get us back in the game.”

Cazett led the rushing attack for Newton with 66 yards on eight carries including a run near the end of the game to give the Cardinals a first down. Sturtz had 28 yards on seven carries and completed one pass for 44 yards. Jaron Roush made the catch.

Jace Lukefahr rushed for 27 yards on six carries and Josh Miravalles had 14 yards on two rushes.

Alex Morris led the defensive charge with 10 tackles. Combs had six tackles and an interception. Karsten made six tackles while Lukefahr had five tackles and two quarterback sacks.

“Our kids really responded to the challenge, did not give up and kept pushing along. We found a way to win a football game when things were not going our way. That says a lot about the mental toughness of these boys,” Powers said.