NEWARK - Led by senior running back Jaxon Holman and sophomore receiver Landon Cox, the Newark Catholic football team took a come-from-behind 52-30 victory over Lakewood in Licking County League-Cardinal Division play at White Field on Oct. 2.
Holman finished with 218 all-purpose yards, pitching in a rushing touchdown as well, and Cox’s three receiving scores led the Green Wave. The sophomore finished with four receptions, totaling 118 yards.
“Malone (Hutchison) was hitting me wide open.” Cox said. “We preached 11 playing as one this week, and that’s what we did tonight.”
That mindset started on the second play from scrimmage when Holman followed his blocks for a 64-yard touchdown. After the NC defense forced a three-and-out, Hutchison, the Green Wave's senior quarterback, got the offense into Lancer territory again.
However, a fumbled snap bounced toward Lakewood junior linebacker Kolten Huntsman, who scooped and scored on a 59-yard return. Freshman quarterback Landon Buehrer hit sophomore receiver Adam Bebout on a two-point conversion to give the Lancers their first lead of the season.
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“We had the best week of practice since I’ve been here,” Lakewood first-year coach Jeremy Walpole said. “I’m proud of the way we came out and tried to keep them on the ropes.”
The Lancers built on their lead after Huntsman tipped a Hutchison pass on the ensuing possession, landing in the hands of senior defensive back Landon Triplett. Huntsman capitalized, scoring on a 3-yard TD on fourth-and-goal, giving Lakewood a 15-7 lead.
The Green Wave offense bounced back, picking up a key fourth-and-3 on their next drive and allowing Hutchison to punch in a 1-yard score. The quarterback kept things rolling into the second quarter, finding Cox on third-and-6 for a 37-yard touchdown.
As the quarter continued, Hutchison converted another third down for a score. The 12-yard connection with sophomore receiver Jace Johnson built the NC lead to 29-15 with 3:30 left in the half.
“I told them to settle down,” Green Wave coach Tom Phillips said. “(Cox and Holman) were outstanding. We had some explosive (plays) tonight.”
The Lancers dug deep with a third-down scoring conversion on a 54-yard touchdown from Buehrer, who found junior Lukka Vines for the conversion. Cox answered once again, shedding off tacklers for a 34-yard TD.
An interception on the following drive gave NC one more chance before half. The Green Wave capitalized with a 27-yard field goal from senior kicker Hal Gillespie.
Leading 38-23 at the break, the Green Wave churned clock in the third quarter. Hutchison added his second score from 1 yard, and Cox picked up his final score from 11 yards on fourth-and-7 in the fourth.
Buehrer answered with a 31-yard touchdown to Bebout, wrapping up the scoring.
“We have a target on our backs now,” Phillips said. “We have to be able to handle that, and you’ve got to do your best in October to move on.”
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