OTTUMWA — Newton High’s junior varsity football team out-gained its host Ottumwa — 333 yards to 256 yards — on offense. Unfortunately, Newton lost the 2016 junior varsity opener, 28-19, Thursday.
On the first play from scrimmage, Logan Zibert turned a sweep play into a 74-yard touchdown run for Newton. Newton’s extra-point attempt failed, but the Cardinals were up 6-0 with 11:35 on the first-quarter clock.
Forty-seconds later, the Bulldogs tied the game up on an 80-yard run and with the extra-point kick took the lead for good. Ottumwa had another long run for a score and led Newton 21-6.
The Cardinals closed the gap to 21-13, with eight seconds remaining in the first half. Quarterback Ryan Barr, who had 77 yards passing, hooked up with Jacob Murphy on a 46-yard scoring pass play. Murphy kicked the extra point.
A 10-yard touchdown run by Zibert at the eight-minute mark of the third quarter made it 21-19. Zibert ended up with 140 yards on 11 carries to lead the Newton rushing attack.
Ben Leal, who left the game with an injury in the first half, had 38 yards on four carries.
Newton had several opportunities to score in the second half, but Ottumwa’s defense held the Cardinals at bay, according to NHS assistant coach Tom Weeks. The Bulldogs scored with 39 seconds on the game clock for the final margin of victory.
Murphy and Josh Adkinson were the defensive standouts of the game for the Cardinals, Weeks said.
Newton assistant coach Chase Dickinson said he was pleased with the intensity level the Cardinal junior variety players had in the opening game. He said the Cardinals never quit on a play during the contest.
Newton (0-1) plays at 5 p.m. Thursday against Waterloo East in Waterloo.
Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535 or jsheets@newtondailynews.com