Newton cruises to easy 46- 22 victory over Shelbyville
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Newton ran out to a 27-0 halftime lead and cruised to an easy 46-22 victory over Shelbyville

The victory ran Newton's district record to 2-0.

"We played pretty good the first half," said Newton Head Football Coach Curtis Barbay. "We played all our second team in the second half and that's when they scored."

Shelbyville closed to within 34-22 in the second half before Newton closed out the victory.

"I never thought the game was in jeopardy," Barbay said. "We did put our first team back in the game for a couple of drives in the fourth quarter."

Newton's tough pre-district schedule didn't allow Barbay to get enough playing time for his second team and that may have accounted for their play against Shelbyville.

"That will hurt us down the line," Barbay said. "I like for our second team to be able to play quite a bit. But none of our pre-district games were played without a fight."

Barbay said he is pleased with the Eagles performance against Shelbyville.

"We didn't play bad but it's hard to play against someone like that when you are a heavy favorite going into the game," Barbay said. "Once you get up on them, it takes away all the edge that you have going into the game."

Newton will host Hemphill this Friday, Oct. 26 in a homecoming contest for the Eagles.

"They have played well all year and lost their first district game to San Augustine but San Augustine has a lot of talent," Barbay said. "It surprised me last week that Hemphill beat Corrigan- Camden but they have their backs against the wall so this will be a big game for both of us."

And the one constant in District 23-2A remains Newton.

"I think we are playing good and right now we are healthy," Barbay said. "It's hard to gauge your team until you play an equal opponent but all three of games we have left will be good tests for us. They should keep us at a good edge going into the playoffs."

He said District 23-2A is more balanced that it has been in the past.

"I like that part of it because you have a real game every week," Barbay said.

Barbay said in previous districts, his first team didn't play after the first half of most district contests and that hurt his team as far as conditioning was concerned.

"You have to get out there and play in this district and try to get better each week," Barbay said. "We won't run up the score on anybody. It doesn't help you to beat someone 70 to nothing."

Barbay said he is expecting no distractions this week as the Eagles play their homecoming contest.

"I don't worry about that - someone else picks them," Barbay said. "That isn't anything special to me."