Strong wins to go 3-0

MARIANNA Desmond Newton continued to his outstanding start to the season, throwing a pair of touchdown passes, running for another and adding a fourth on special teams, as Strong downed Marianna 36-8 on Friday night.

The Bulldogs took a 6-0 lead into intermission on a 55-yard strike from Newton to X-Zavier McHenry, but the Trojans scored in the third quarter and took the lead with a successful two-point conversion.

However, the Bulldogs were dominant the rest of the way, scoring the game’s final 30 points.

With five minutes left in the third quarter, Newton broke free on a quarterback sneak for an 85-yard touchdown run that gave the Bulldogs the lead back.

After the two-point conversion was successful, the Bulldogs nursed a 14-8 lead into the final stanza.

Strong then struck again from the air, as Newton tossed a 20-yard touchdown pass to Lavonte Washington.

Newton ran in the two-point conversion to make it 22-8.

After getting a defensive stop deep in Marianna territory, Newton received a punt and scampered 30 yards to paydirt.

LeAndrew Greer’s run on the two-point conversion was successful, giving the Bulldogs a 30-8 lead.

Newton then set up the

Bulldogs’ final touchdown with an 80-yard run, and Ricky Correa plowed into the end zone on a 1-yard run to end the scoring.

Strong (3-0) opens 8-2A play next week by playing at Harmony Grove.

The Trojans fall to 0-3.

A big reason for the Bulldogs’ slow start was that five of their starters were suspended for the first half of the game, said Strong coach Greg Anthony.

“We played really bad in the first half, and it was certainly harder than what you want, but we’re very fortunate and happy to be 3-0,” Anthony said. “Basically, we’re 0-0 now, and we’ve got to start playing for conference.”