Newberry Football Defeats Cocoa for First Win Season

NEWBERRY — The Panthers avoided a repeat of last season’s 0-3 start with a 14-13 win Friday against Cocoa. 

A wild two-point conversion following a fourth-quarter touchdown gave Newberry (1-2) its first win in a sloppy game filled with penalty flags and fumbles for both sides.

The first quarter started slow, but with 5:41 remaining, a bad snap recovered by the Tigers (0-2) turned into a 54-yard rushing touchdown by Anthony Waley for a 7-0 Cocoa lead.

The Newberry defense helped set up its first score in the second quarter. Defensive back Javeon Long picked off Tigers quarterback Kadin Claflin-Coy and returned it 25 yards.

A 23-yard field goal by Newberry kicker Kaiden Bush cut the deficit to 7-3.

The Panthers avoided a turnover in the scoring drive following Long’s interception when an errant pass from starting quarterback Zaden Wilcox went through the hands of Tigers safety Joseph Watkins.

Cocoa added to its lead on the ensuing kickoff when Arziel Francis returned it 90 yards for a touchdown. Newberry, however, blocked the extra-point attempt to trail 13-3.

Wilcox then put together a drive in response with help from Long, who also plays wide receiver. Long’s toe-tap catch on the sideline put the Panthers in field-goal range. 

Bush’s second field goal brought Newberry within 13-6 at halftime.

The Panthers made a huge defensive stand early in the second half. Linebacker Deondrae Alford broke up a pass play to force a fourth-and-4 on a drive that ended on a missed field-goal attempt by the Tigers.

Newberry’s defense came up big again in the fourth quarter, forcing a Cocoa fumble to set up the offense with great field position. 

Rain started to fall in the final two minutes of the game as did the Panthers’ hopes after a failed fourth-down conversion.

However, a penalty for a late hit by the Tigers gave the Panthers 15 yards and a fresh set of downs deep in Cocoa territory.

The flags kept flying, as a defensive pass interference on second down brought the Panthers to the 12-yard line. 

Wilcox then scrambled 12 yards for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 13-12 with 1:09 remaining.

A bad snap on the extra-point attempt nearly proved disastrous for the Panthers. Keyondre Williams picked up the loose ball, avoided being tackled, and his pass found teammate Lamareion Davis in the end zone to give Newberry a 14-13 lead.

“God answered some prayers,” NHS coach Ed Johnson said. “We were content with going to overtime and trying to battle, but Keyondre Williams made a play and I am so happy for Lamareion Davis.”

The NHS players on the field, on the sideline and the Panther crowd erupted with the most emotion of the night. 

The Tigers then drove down to a field-goal attempt from the 17-yard line.

The kick was tipped off target, sealing a 14-13 Newberry victory as the Panthers fans rushed the field.

 “Our guys work hard. We shouldn’t have been in that spot late in the game tonight,” Johnson said. “It’s good for them to have success and hopefully we can build on it.”

Newberry next hosts Daytona Beach Halifax Academy (0-3) at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Category: High School Sports, Newberry High School