It wasn”t pretty, but the New Hope High School football team will take its 28-0 win against Caledonia High School.
In its annual Lowndes County rivalry match against Caledonia on Friday, New Hope had more than 10 penalties and struggled to move the ball consistently for the second straight game.
New Hope (2-2) led just 7-0 at halftime against the resurgent Confederates (3-2) and came up empty on two trips inside the Caledonia 20.
New Hope forced four turnovers — including two interceptions by Trae Collins — which proved to be the difference against the Confederates, who fell victim to the Trojans” size and strength in the second half.
“We played very sloppy, but give Caledonia credit because they gave us all we wanted in the first half,” New Hope coach Michael Bradley said. “We”ve got to find way to be consistent all night long. We”ve yet to do it this season. We”d make a great play, then drop a pass or miss a block. We”ve got to get a lot better.”
Running back Jameel Johnson led the Trojans with 10 carries for 94 yards. Quarterback Brady Davis rebounded from his effort last week in a 33-0 loss to Columbus to go 10 of 18 for 148 passing yards. He opened the scoring with a 31-yard pass to Daniel Gregory, who spun through two tackles, with less than a minute left in the second quarter.
The Trojans nearly added another score just before the half when Collins intercepted Ben Marchbanks on the final play of the half and returned it 60 yards to the Caledonia 1 yard line.
New Hope”s momentum stalled in the third quarter, though, as it came up empty on its first two drives, including fullback Terrence Payne”s fumble at the goal line on fourth-and-1.
Caledonia, which struggled to move the ball deep in its territory, gave the ball right back when Tyler Armistad coughed up the ball and Gregory scooped and scored from 5 yards out.
“That was a tough play,” Caledonia coach Richard Kendrick said. “We don”t give up that score and it may be a little bit different game for a while longer. But as the game went on, they just wore on us.”
Caledonia”s defense, despite being outsized up front, held New Hope to 296 yards total offense. At the half, the Trojans had just 50 rushing yards.
“Coach Kendrick has that program going in the right direction,” Bradley said.
Caledonia was led on offense by Marchbanks, who was 3 of 7 for 39 yards. He had two interceptions. Armistad had 25 yards on four carries.
Despite the rough night on offense, Kendrick said his players proved a point against New Hope, which traditionally dominates the series.
“It”s a good thing when you come expecting to win, and that”s what we want to get to,” Kendrick said. “When you come over here and people are having to worry about it being a game, we”re making progress.”
Caledonia will play host Ackerman on Sept. 23.
Bradley bemoaned his team”s preparation and vowed to have his team practicing at game tempo before it jumps into division play next week at Saltillo.
“It”s repetition and practicing as hard as you play,” Bradley said. “That”s hard to get across to high school kids. I”ve got to do a better job of coaching at game speed. It starts at the top and goes all the way down to the managers.”
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