LUFKIN ÐÔÊӽ紫ý” Newton built a 19-0 halftime lead against Harmony here Friday night and got big plays from RB K.J. Porter and QB Hieko Malone in the second half to take a 54-24 win over the Eagles in the Class 3A Division II Region III semifinals.
Harmony put together three scoring drives in the second half, but Newton had answers each time, with Porter scoring four times and Malone once in the half.
HarmonyÐÔÊӽ紫ý™s Boston Seahorn, who threw 19 passes in the first half, put the ball in the air 45 times in the second half as the EaglesÐÔÊӽ紫ý™ abandoned their run game.
HarmonyÐÔÊӽ紫ý™s first score came on a 38-yard pass from Boston Seahorn to Evan Webber early in the third period. Seahorn found Jake Shannon for the two point try to cut the lead to 19-8.
Newton had a quick response. On the next play from scrimmage, Porter went up the middle, broke a couple of tackles and went 75 yards for a score. The PAT from Andre Loureiro made it 26-8.
Harmony cut into the lead again late in the third. Seahorn hit Tyson Jenkins on a crossing route, and Jenkins went 26 yards for a touchdown. Seahorn connected again with Shannon for the two-point try and made it 26-16.
Newton answered again. This time it took two plays. Porter took a pitch from Malone then outraced the defense 78 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown. Loureiro made the PAT to make it 33-16.
NewtonÐÔÊӽ紫ý™s defense came up with a stop on HarmonyÐÔÊӽ紫ý™s next series and took over at the EaglesÐÔÊӽ紫ý™ 25.
On a fourth and 15 play, Malone connected with Porter for a 21-yard touchdown. LoureiroÐÔÊӽ紫ý™s extra point made it 40-16.
Harmony struck right back, with Boston Seahorn hitting Weston Seahorn for a 64-yard touchdown. Jenkins threw to Boston Seahorn for the two-point try to make it 40-24.
Newton answered again on its second play from scrimmage after the Harmony score. Malone broke loose on a keeper and went 51 yards for a touchdown. LoureiroÐÔÊӽ紫ý™s extra point made it 47-24 with 9:18 left in the game.
Porter sealed the game for Newton later in the fourth. Porter picked off a Boston Seahorn pass and took it back 80 yards for a touchdown. LoureiroÐÔÊӽ紫ý™s extra point made it 54-24 and Newton held that advantage the rest of the game.
NewtonÐÔÊӽ紫ý™s first half scores came on a two-yard run from Porter, a 39-yard run from Malone and a 27-yard field goal from Loureiro as the Eagles built a 19-0 lead.
Porter finished the game with 201 yards on 13 carries and Malone had 70 yards on the ground.
HarmonyÐÔÊӽ紫ý™s Boston Seahorn completed 25 of 64 passes for 327 yards and two interceptions. Jenkins led the team with 9 catches for 113 yards and a score. Will Young had six catches for 111 yards.
Newton (11-0) will face Daingerfield, 48-16 winners over West Rusk, next week.
