Rain and lightning shortened the amount of time Newcastle was on the football field Friday night, but the Racers, nonetheless, took care of business.
Newcastle wrapped up Class 5A-1 District play with a 40-14 win against Southeast. In so doing, they also rounded out a perfect 6-0 record for their first time playing in Class 5A.
The game, which had been moved from Friday night to Thursday night because of rain, was shortened to only three quarters because of lightning detected in the area.
Newcastle Head Coach Jeff Brickman said, “We returned the opening kickoff back for a touchdown. This created a lot of energy with the team.”
Brickman said the game had a significant amount of time taken away due to lightning.
“We played the first quarter and then skipped the second quarter, and played only eight minute third and fourth quarters,” Brickman said.
The Racers ran the ball very well, averaging 12 yards per rush, according to the coach.
Newcastle had 21 first quarter points to Southeast’s seven. After sitting out the second quarter, the Racers came back for another 12 points in the third, and then both teams had seven in the fourth for the game-ending total of 40-14.
The win left Newcastle undefeated in District, and 7-3 overall.
T.J. Bradford had 187 yards rushing on 12 carries, with two touchdowns. Ben Rogers returned a kickoff from 89 yards out, and had another carry for a 41-yard touchdown.
Taj Smith caught a tackle-eligible lateral for a touchdown, and Preston Scagnetti intercepted a pass. The Racer defense held Southeast to under 100 yards passing on the night.
Individual players recognized for the game included Cody Nix for knockdowns. Zach Cragg earned the Sledge Hammer.
Bradford was the offense player of the game, while Ayden Elcyzyn was the defense player of the game.
Rogers was noted for his special teams play, and Smith was the game’s Most Valuable Player.
As the Racers prepare for Noble in round 1 of the State Playoffs, they will face a team that is on a winning streak, Brickman said.
“We haven’t played Noble since 2018,” he said. “They are very wellcoached and have won four games in a row. We are excited for a great home crowd as we host the first ever 5A playoffs in Newcastle history.”
Noble finished fourth in District 5A-2 with a 4-3 record and a 4-6 record overall.
Preston Scagnetti had an interception for the Racers Thursday night as Newcastle finished regular season play as the only undefeated team in District 5A-1. • photo by Jennifer Lewis
Junior Colton Bradley readies for the tackle during the Racer’s game against Southeast last week. Newcastle will host Noble at 7 p.m. tomorrow (Friday) night. • photo by Jennifer Lewis
Thomas Barbee gets in on a tackle for the Racers during the Thursday night game against Southeast. • photo by Jennifer Lewis
Ben Rogers eludes tacklers on a run for the Newcastle Racers during the Thursday night game against Southeast. • photo by Jennifer Lewis
