*Watch the above video for Postgame reaction broadcast with Newton coach Terrance Banks, quarterback Myron Middlebrooks and running back Nuru Tinch.
COVINGTON, Ga. — In what was the most lopsided win ever in a series full of closely contested games, the Newton Rams dominated Eastside in every facet, from beginning to end, holding the Eagles to under 80 yards of total offense on its way to a 41-0 victory Friday night at Homer Sharp Stadium.
The win gives Newton coach Terrance Banks his first win against the Eagles in his four year tenure. It’s also the first time Eastside has been blanked in the series and just the second time since 2009 the Eagles have been shutout in a regular season game.
UAB commit Nuru Tinch went over 100 yards in the first half for the second straight game, netting 160 rushing yards on 12 carries and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Myron Middlebrooks completed 10 of 20 passes for 135 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions.
Newton’s dominance began from the very first play, when an overwhelmed Eastside offensive line couldn’t stop Darnell Jefferies, Dre Butler and Josh Smith from converging on sophomore quarterback Noah Cook for an eight yard loss.
After a three-and-out, Newton went on a methodical, eight-play, 59-yard drive that featured six Tinch runs. Tinch capped off the scoring drive with a 12-yard push into the end zone.
Immediately, Newton’s defense was active again, shutting down anything Eastside tried to do offensively. And when the Rams got back on offense, Tinch found paydirt once more, this time as a receiver. Middlebrooks found Tinch out of the backfield and fired a 41-yard scoring strike to the senior to give Newton a 13-0 lead with 2:33 left in the first quarter.
Middlebrooks would throw his second touchdown pass of the night on Newton’s next offensive possession. This time, it was a 13-yard toss to Mike Mathison at the 6:23 mark in the second quarter to stretch the Rams’ lead to 20-0.
Before halftime, Tinch would make sure Newton would light up the scoreboard again, as he sliced through the Eastside defense and sprinted 62 yards for a score. That gave Newton a 27-0 lead going into halftime.
Newton’s “Blue Swarm” defense lived up to its name all night, as Eastside could only muster 33 yards on its first 17 plays in the first half. The Eagles didn’t obtain a non-penalty aided first down until Tyon Davis gained 17 yards on a run play at the 3:56 mark of the second quarter.
Middlebrooks added another score when he found Robert Lewis running free over the middle for a 20-yard toss-and-catch for a touchdown at the 9:44 mark of the fourth quarter. One drive later, Middlebrooks connected with David Butso in the corner of the endzone to provide the final margin.
Newton (2-0) will go into a bye week next week before starting a four game September road stretch with a matchup at Peachtree Ridge on September 8. Meanwhile, Eastside will face its other in-county rival, Alcovy, next Friday at Sharp Stadium. Alcovy (1-0) will host Meadowcreek Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
