Showdown in Lufkin
Tatum, Newton meet in semi-final action
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy NEWTON QUARTERBACK NICO ADAMS runs a play behind the blocking of Justin McLemore (28) and Stephen Alfred (22) during a recent game. Newton's offense has flourished lately and will have to be hitting on all cylinders this week against top-ranked Tatum.

The defending Class 2A state football champions will face off against the team known for its Class 2A play this Friday, Nov. 30 in Lufkin.

Tatum will take on Newton in a Class 2A powerhouse showdown at Abe Martin Field at 7 p.m.

"I think it's going to be a challenge for us," said Newton Head Football Coach Curtis Barbay. "That is what you are in this business for to play these type of people. As a coach and as a player, these are the games that you look forward to.

"You have to beat everybody to get to the state game," Barbay said. "This is probably the best team that we are going to face on that road."

Both teams will come into the contest with reputations of playing "big" in the "big games."

"We have been in these type of games ourselves," Barbay said. "I'm sure they are saying the same thing about us that we are saying about them. I know the coaches are real excited about this game."

Newsboy photo/Jimmy Galvan NEWTON QUARTERBACK NICO ADAMS

Tatum comes in as twotime champions. In 2005, Tatum captured the Class 3A state football championship and last year dropped to Class 2A and won at that level as well.

"So they are trying for a three-peat this year," Barbay said.

Barbay said on film Tatum appears to be a very aggressive squad that features running back and linebacker Bryce Beall and quarterback Cashas Pollard.

"They try to start off running with (Beall) and if they can run over you that is what they will do," Barbay said. "If they can't run over you, then they get in the spread and try to run out of that and pass out of it."

On the defensive side of the ball, Barbay said Tatum would put eight players up front and play aggressive defense.

"They play a lot of manto man coverage," Barbay said.