PROSPERITY — Newberry High School won its first regional championship since 2006 on Friday, finishing 4-1 in Region 3-3A play after a 45-13 victory in Prosperity over Mid-Carolina High School.

After Rebel quarterback Corey Stone got nine yards on two passes to begin the game, the senior pitched out to fellow classmate Terrell Long as Long took it along the Newberry sideline 56 yards for the touchdown just 75 seconds into the game.

Taylor Martin provided the PAT kick and Long brought the Rebels back to their feet when he recovered an Amir Abrams fumble three plays later. The Rebels would fumble over to Robert Houston two plays later at their 26.

Working their way down to the seven, the Bulldogs kept the ball on the ground for seven straight plays before quarterback Tyriq Goodman, on a keeper, swept his way along the home sideline for the touchdown. Ethan Day converted his first of six PAT kicks on the night and the score was tied with 5:52 left in the first.

Mid-Carolina couldn’t recover from a holding penalty and were forced to punt three plays later.

After Abrams gathered 15 yards on a run, Goodman went to the air and Jaleel Gilliam never broke stride on a 65-yard pass play for the touchdown, taking the score to 14-7 with 1:28 left in the first quarter.

After stopping the Rebels on a fourth and one, the Bulldogs turned it over two plays later with an interception to Tre’ Sims at his nine-yard line.

Only running the ball three times, Stone connected on his fifth pass on the drive with Iyon Thompson with a 60-yard touchdown pass play.

Martin’s kick was no good and Newberry still led 14-13 with 8:21 left in the half.

Working their way down to the Mid-Carolina 38, the Bulldogs went for it on a fourth and one and picked up the first down after a false start by the Rebels.

Abrams scored three plays later from nine yards out for the 21-13 score with 4:44 left in the first half.

After an exchange of punts, PJ Wright intercepted a Stone pass at the Rebels’ 42. Gilliam caught a 22-yard pass but three incomplete passes forced the field goal unit to come out for a 37-yard field goal attempt. Day split the uprights for the 24-13 score at the half.

Mid-Carolina had 180 yards of first half offense while Newberry had 233.

Newberry received the second half opening kick-off and fumbled the initial reception. After a mad scramble for the loose ball, Jamaal Holley made the recovery for the Bulldogs.

Starting to use the game clock to their advantage, Newberry took over five minutes on a 12-play, 69-yard drive with Abrams scoring from two yards out for the 31-13 score.

A five-yard Mid-Carolina punt gave Newberry possession back two minutes later at the Rebels’ 41.

Abrams scored seven plays later from five yards out with 2:47 still left in the third and the 38-13 score.

Failing to convert a fourth and 12, Newberry sent Gilliam out to handle things under center for the duration of the evening.

Handoffs to KT Robinson, Wright, or Jamel Kibler took the ball down to the five in 10 plays.

Kibler scored his first career touchdown one play later to end the scoring with 2:11 left in the game.

For the Rebels, Long had seven carries for 51 yards, while Thompson had a lone carry of three yards.

Through the air, Jack Edwards caught two passes for 13 yards, Thompson (5-66), Bates-Caldwell (5-28), Ruff (3-50), and Chris Boyd lost two yards on his lone reception.

Abrams rushed the ball for Newberry 28 times for 184 yards.

Marcus Moore had a lone carry for six yards, Tony Mason (4-7), Goodman (2-10), Kibler (9-40), Robinson (1-24), and Gilliam kept the ball twice for two yards.

Gilliam caught three passes for 101 yards, RJ Wadsworth (1-18), Zymere Epps (1-0), Derrick Scurry (1-9), and Robinson caught one pass for nine yards.

Mid-Carolina ends their season with a 0-10 record.

Newberry improved to 7-3 on the season and will host an opening round of the playoffs on Nov. 18 against an opponent to be named at a later date.

The Bulldogs defeated the Rebels in a 45-13 victory, giving them their first regional championship since 2006.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_Football2-1.jpgThe Bulldogs defeated the Rebels in a 45-13 victory, giving them their first regional championship since 2006. Kelly Duncan | The Newberry Observer

By Wilson Senn

For The Newberry Observer