Newton football improves win streak after rallying twice against Clippers

TIFFIN — Most high school football games don’t go as planned. There’s plenty of ups and downs throughout a 60-minute game, and the Newton football team had to rally two different times against Clear Creek-Amana on Friday night.

The Clippers scored first and led 10-7 in the second quarter, but the Cardinals rushed for 245 yards and had 11 tackles for loss on defense during their 31-19 road win.

Newton improved to 3-0 in Class 4A District 4. The Cardinals face the only other unbeaten team in the district as Grinnell invades H.A. Lynn Stadium this week.

“CCA is a good team that is well coached,” Newton head football coach Andy Swedenhjelm said. “They have had a lot of ranking buzz throughout the year so we knew they would play a tough and physical game. It’s good for teams to have to fight through adversity as it only makes you better.”

The Cardinals can clinch the district title with a win over Grinnell this week. This loss basically eliminates the Clippers from the postseason.

CCA used a 60-yard touchdown pass from Texton Bollers to Aren Schlemme to grab an early lead.

Newton countered a little more than 3 minutes later when Caden Klein hooked up with Gabe Otto for a 26-yard TD pass play. Otto’s only catch of the game produced his first career varsity touchdown.

Aiden Gross booted his first field goal of the game with 4 minutes to play until halftime. That put the host Clippers in front 10-7.

The Cardinals (6-1, 3-0) went in front for good late in the half though. Klein capped a long drive with a 2-yard TD run with 4 seconds on the clock.

Gross’ second field goal melted the Cardinals’ lead to 14-13 in the third, but Nick Thomason’s first career varsity rushing touchdown swelled the advantage to 21-13 with 2:01 to play in the quarter. Thomason finished with 24 rushing yards on five carries.

“It was nice to see (Otto and Thomason) get in the end zone,” Swedenhjelm said. “It can be tough sometimes for guys to stay locked in if they don’t touch the ball, but they have continued to work hard and do their job.

“I’m proud of those guys for doing well when their number is called.”

Jackson Price extended Newton’s lead with a 22-yard field goal in the fourth.

The Clippers (3-4, 1-2) got an Ethan Vice TD run with 3:58 to play in the game. That closed the margin to 24-19, but Isaiah Hansen’s 18-yard TD run with 1:04 on the clock put the finishing touches on another district win.

Newton is 6-1 for the first time since starting 6-0 in 2022. That team finished 7-3 though.

The Cardinals have won five straight games and posted their second straight victory over CCA.

Klein finished 9-of-16 through the air for 137 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 34 yards and one TD on nine carries.

Klein’s 21 total touchdowns rank tied for fourth in 4A. He also ranks tied for fifth in the class with 1,185 passing yards and tied for seventh with 18 passing TDs.

Hansen gained 125 yards and scored one TD on his 19 carries. He also caught three passes for 17 yards.

He’s averaging 131 rush yards per game. Hansen ranks third in 4A with 1,112 all-purpose yards, fifth with 921 rushing yards and tied for second with 13 touchdowns.

Finn Martin caught five of Klein’s nine completions and gained 94 yards. He also rushed for 35 yards on his only carry. Martin’s 31 catches rank fifth in 4A, but he’s second in the class with 692 receiving yards.

Qhjuan Coley rushed for 18 yards on two carries before leaving the game with an injury. Micah Mattes added 11 yards on his one carry.

Nick Milburn totaled 13 tackles and five tackles for loss to lead a Newton defense that finished with 11 tackles for loss.

“TFLs are huge for a defense,” Swedenhjelm said. “Any time you can put an offense behind the chains it helps you out.”

Milburn’s 88 tackles rank first 4A and his 14.5 tackles for loss are second.

Josh Lampe returned from injury and totaled 6.5 tackles, Klein chipped in 5.5 tackles, Kyler Griffin pitched in 4.5 tackles and Coleby Revell tallied three tackles and one sack.

Dawson Maki and Alameen Shanto each had 2.5 tackles and Ali Yahia snagged his fifth interception of the fall, which ranks tied for first in 4A.

Zach Felten moved into Coley’s offensive role after he left with an injury. Felten also had three tackles and averaged 40.3 yards on his four punts.

“Our defense played well overall, and we were glad to see guys step up and make plays on that side of the ball,” Swedenhjelm said. “We just need to keep improving every week and remain fundamentally sound when we get in the heat of the moment.”

Price booted three touchbacks on his six kickoffs, made all four of his PATs and kicked the 22-yard field goal. His 25 touchbacks are third most in the class.

Schlemme led the Clippers with 99 receiving yards and one TD and eight tackles. Nolan Dao matched Milburn with 13 tackles.

Tay Seals grabbed seven passes for 58 yards, but the Clippers were held to 97 rushing yards on 34 carries.

Notes: Coley and Colton Northcutt both left the game early with injuries. Swedenhjelm did not have a status update on either player as of Sunday afternoon. … The Cardinals will recognize the 1980 state championship team at halftime of Newton’s home game against Grinnell on Friday. It’s also T-Mobile Sweepstakes night and youth cheerleading night at H.A. Lynn Stadium. The Tigers come into the game 4-3 but are 3-0 in the district. They close the season against Newton and Pella.