Newcastle holds off Clinton on dramatic final play

NEWCASTLE — In a high-scoring shootout with no margin of error on offense, both Newcastle and Clinton each capitalized on late-half turnover to seize momentum.

But Newcastle’s defense made the most important play on the final one.

Newcastle stuffed Clinton quarterback Conor Wyer on a two-point conversion attempt to hang on for a wild 49-48 victory Thursday.

Clinton had a chance to win after recovering a Newcastle fumble with 2:03 remaining. It then drove 96 yards to score with three seconds remaining on Jose Hernandez’s 10-yard run.

The visitors initially lined up for the extra point kick but called timeout to send its quarterback onto the field to go for the win.

“I honestly think the reason they went for two there was on every extra point they saw one of our guys, Jaxon Missey, about block it each time,” Newcastle coach Jeff Brickman said. “Without his effort on those attempted blocks, I don’t think they would have done that.

The combination of Newcastle quarterback Casey Thompson and his leading receiver Jacob Morris was sensational once again.

Thompson was 25 of 38 for 454 yards and six touchdowns. Morris caught 15 of those passes for 352 yards and five touchdowns.

Both offenses scored touchdowns on each drive in the first half until Clinton fumbled with a minute remaining in the half.

Newcastle initially appeared unable to do anything with the turnover, but Morris beat man-coverage down the sideline as Thompson connected with him for a 42-yard score with one second remaining.

The late first-half touchdown allowed Newcastle, which received the ball to open the second half, to score three consecutive touchdowns and take a 14-point lead midway through the third quarter.

“I fall in love with challenges,” Thompson said. “Challenges is what brings out the best of you.

“I was talking to my teammates earlier in the week about having the mental toughness and focus to lock-in. You have to focus and take each play as its own, and when you look up and overcome that mental battle, you should be on top.”