Newton rolled up 28 unanswered points in the second half as the Cardinals came from behind to defeat Knoxville last night 42-28. The key to the game was the Panthers’ inability to stop the run for the second straight week as they gave up 250 yards on the ground to the Cardinals. Newton was able to get up early 7-0, but Knoxville responded with a 71 yard touchdown pass from Tanner Dunkin on a halfback option to Ross Shelford to tie it at seven. Newton took back momentum to a score later on to make it 14-7. Knoxville then seemed to seize control of the game in the latter portion of the first half and the early stages of the second half when Knoxville tied it on a Tanner Dunkin 3 yard run…then Connor Bailey took a Jared McClung screen pass 35 yards for a score to make it 21-14 at the half, then 13 seconds in the second it was 28-14 when Dunkin too the opening kickoff to the second half 92 yard back for a touchdown. However, a few minutes later Newton turned an interception into a score and never looked back. Coach Troy Rider said the defense needs to continue to get better as the season goes on. Knoxville was led by Jared McClung who threw for 165 yards a touchdown and two interceptions, Ross Shelford caught four balls for 105 yards and an touchdown. Knoxville gave up 250 yards on the ground and 148 through the air. The Panthers are 0-2 on the season and will begin Class 3A District eight play next week at Winterset.

Tags: ,