Newton joined the party Saturday night as they picked up their first win of the season with a 22-15 victory over McIntosh at Sharp Stadium.

After Alcovy and Eastside both picked up victories to start the season, Newton made sure each team in the county was in the win column with a solid team rushing effort and timely defensive plays.

The Rams, led by quarterback Demetrius McCray and a slew of nimble running backs, scored two first-half touchdowns and led 15-0 at halftime.

The Chiefs cut Newton's lead to 15-6 after Cam Porter capped off a 55-yard drive with an 8-yard touchdown run and a failed 2-point conversion.

The Rams wasted little time responding as Akeem Hunt the second play of the ensuing drive 82 yards to pay dirt to extend Newton's lead 22-7.

McIntosh refused to go quietly. The Chiefs came right back on their next possession and scored again, this time on a 14-yard pass from Porter to Bradley Larson. After a circus catch secured the 2-point conversion, McIntosh cut Newton's lead to 22-15 with 6:59 to play.

After a Ram three-and-out, McIntosh got the ball back near midfield with plenty of time left for a scoring drive. Consecutive plays of 10 and 20 yards gave the Chiefs the ball near the Ram 30-yard line. But Deandre Rashada picked off an errant pass over the middle to get Newton ball back and seal the win.

For the complete game recap with stats and photos, check Wednesday's print edition of The News on sale at newsstands throughout Newton County.