Schanuel gets MVP award playing both quarterback, linebacker
Newcastle (4-0) sits atop District 5A-1 as the only team without a loss in District play. They claimed the top spot by defeating Lawton MacArthur (3-1) Friday night in a 35-31 showdown.
The Racers have their hands full, however, as the next opponent, Bishop Mc-Guinness (3-1), is in second place in the District.
Head Coach Jeff Brickman said the Lawton MacArthur game was exciting game and went back and forth, with both teams forcing several turnovers.
“Late in the game our team overcame major adversity when we executed a perfect screen pass for 70 yards to possibly win the game. But the play was nullified by an erroneous penalty for lineman down field,” Brickman said.
The coach said the penalty was thrown behind the line of scrimmage.
“We then had an unsportsmanlike conduct flag thrown for protesting the flag,” Brickman said. “We punted the ball away and the defense held Lawton Mac to a field goal.”
Down by three points with under two minutes to play, the Racers executed a perfect pass, according to Brickman, on a 40-yard post route from Jackson Schanuel to Alec Shumard. And the next play, TJ Bradford scored on a 40-yard run to go up by 4.
“The offensive line was great. The defense held Lawton Mac on their 2-minute drill when Tone Brown stripped the quarterback on the last play of the game,” Brickman said.
The Racers reached their team goal of more than 400 yards of offense. Brickman said Bradford rushed for 175 yards. The Racers reached another team goal by forcing two takeaways. They had three touchbacks on kickoffs. This included one into the wind to force Lawton MacArthur to drive the field on their two minute drill.
Coaches handed the Most Valuable Player award to Schanuel who had 151 yards passing with 11 carries for 76 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns at quarterback. He also had 17 tackles, 2 interceptions and a touchdown at linebacker.
Blake Allen was offense player of the game, and Kaden Longman was defense player of the game. Ben Rogers took the honors for special teams. Taj Smith had the award for knock downs, and Ben Rogers received the Sledge Hammer award.
Brickman said the Friday night game against Bishop McGuinness is a pivotal game for the District title and a chance to host the first two rounds in Class 5A State Playoffs.
McGuinness has wins against: Classen SAS, 63-0; Duncan, 60-7; and Southeast, 70-7. They lost against Midwest City, 14-11. Newcastle has wins against: Duncan, 607; Midwest City, 43-7; Classen SAS, 63-0; and Lawton MacArthur, 35-31.
