Jasper's defense to face test with Newton running backs
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy JASPER'S DEFENSE TURNED IN another sterling performance Friday in Barbers Hill. Jasper's AJ Bronson (32), Carlos Carter (75) bring down Eagle Andrew Little (34) while Dante Rollins (25) and Dominque Bailey (15) come in to help.

It's time for Newton- Jasper.

The rivalry will be taken up this Friday in Singletary Stadium when Jasper travels to take on Class 2A Newton.

Newton Head Football Coach Curtis Barbay believes last year's Bulldog squad was the best team his Eagles faced last year.

"And they look better this year," Barbay said. "We just have to play better to beat them."

Jasper's defense will face a stiff challenge this week in the form of Newton's talented offensive backfield. The Eagles features running back Justin McLemore, who rushed for 1,370 yards and 14 touchdowns last year.

"We know they are a running team and we know we will have to get 11 guys to the ball at all times," Brooks said. "You can't give them a crease or they will take it and go with it. They run very hard. They will go 100 percent and we will have to do our best to match that intensity."

Toss in Trey Ethridge in the backfield and Nico Adams will switch to quarterback and you have the makings of a strong offensive backfield.

For the Bulldogs, offensive production picked up in the second contest against Barbers Hill. Brooks went with Kadarroe Rawls and Octavious Rawls in the backfield against the Eagles while first-game starter Landis McBride sat out with a minor injury.

"(McBride) could have played but the others guys were doing good so we told him to just sit this out and get ready for next game," Brooks said.

Barbay believes the team that makes the fewest mistakes will win.

"It was just like last year, they made mistakes late in the game and it cost them," Barbay said. "The team that makes the most

mistakes usually loses."

Barbay knows the game is

important to the kids and the communities but he also realizes the rivalry is for the fans only.

"I don't try to fool with any of that," Barbay said. "I expect my players to play hard every time. I don't jack them up for any one game. If they can't get up to play, they don't need to be playing. If they need someone to boost them up to play, I'm not that kind of guy."

Brooks knows his Bulldogs will have their work cutout for them entering the third contest of the season. He also knows this contest will better his squad as the District 21- 3A season looms around the corner.

"You want to play people who are good and Newton will help us for our district ballgames," Brooks said. "There are not many teams that have the talent that Newton has. I think games like this will help us in the long run."

But while Brooks is seeking improvement and a win Friday, he also knows the real season starts Sept. 28 when the Kirbyville Wildcats visit The Bone Yard.

"I don't want it to be where it is all or nothing on this ballgame,"

Brooks said. "I know the kids know each other but our main thing is district. We will play this game hard and there will be intensity but our whole season will not be based on this ballgame.

"If I lose to Newton but win the state championship - I will give this ballgame to Newton every time," Brooks said.