Newcastle (5-2) solidified their football season journey into post-season play with a win against the Bethany Bronchos (4-3) Friday night.
The Racers dominated the Bronchos “playing great defense all night and executing better offensively in the second half,” said Head Coach Jeff Brickman.
“We executed a sky kick perfectly and recovered it to extend the lead in the fourth quarter,” Brickman said “We also completed two long pass plays.”
The Racers defense forced seven three-and-outs and allowed only one score by the Bronchos.
The Racers were actually down by one touchdown, 7-0, in the first quarter. Newcastle then scored seven in the second and third quarters, and then 21 in the fourth quarter to make the 35-7 score.
Taj Smith was named the game’s most valuable player. TJ Bradford was named offensive player of the game, and Shane Lovejoy was named defensive player of the game.
The special teams honor went to Caleb Dupler, and the hammer award went to Jackson Bergt.
Maddox Birdsong nabbed the pancake stick award, and practice player of the week was Bradon Cantrell.
TheRacers’seasonrecordis now 8-2.
Both Newcastle and Bethany continue on to post-season play as the third and fourth teams in District 4A-2, behind Blanchard (7-0) and Tuttle (61). Newcastle will play at Elk City (5-1) in the first round. The Elks were second in District 4A-1 behind Clinton (51).
Brickman said Elk City is a ball control offense and runs a 4-2-5 defense.
“They will attempt to limit our possessions by moving slower on offense and we must value every possession that we have,” Brickman said.
Blanchard will host Cache on Friday, and Tuttle will host Weatherford.
The Class 4A State Championship football game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, November 30 at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.
