Quick Poll

With Tuesday's blood drive for UWG graduate student Aimee Copeland as a backdrop, when was the last time you donated blood?

Recent Polls

Blogs

Angela McRae

Tea with friends

Deberah Williams

Everyday Finesse

Lorrie Lynch

Who's News

Published Friday, November 20, 2009 in Sports

Cougars face another hurdle in M.L. King

By Tommy Camp

The Newnan Times-Herald

What can you say about the Newnan Cougars as they head into their second round playoff game at home tonight against the M.L. King Lions?

Most fans would probably say the Cougars have exceeded expectations since few Newnan boosters realistically figured their team would be 11-0 at this juncture of the season.

But that's where they are with exactly the same record as last year's state semifinals after 11 games.

With six starters returning on defense from last season it was a generally accepted notion that the Cougars would be strong on that side of the ball.

But after losing 11 starters on offense not many believed the Cougars would be as high-scoring as they've turned out to be.

The Cougars face a team tonight that figures to be (at least statistically) as potent on offense and as stingy on defense as Newnan is.

The Lions (10-1), second place finishers out of Region 2-AAAAA, have scored 304 points in their 11 games, going over the 30-point mark five times while giving up just 49 points and registering seven shutouts.

That 4.5 points allowed per game average is tops in Class AAAAA statewide, followed by Stephenson's 5.0 and Newnan's 5.5.

MLK has outscored its last four opponents, 137-0, after dropping its only game of the year to Stephenson, 20-0, in game seven on Oct. 16.

Running back Mack Brown, who has verbally committed to Florida's Urban Meyer, has six 100-yard plus games this fall while quarterbacks Cameron Myers and Kevin Byard have either started or filled in for the other due to injures and have been outstanding directing the Lions' "multiple-I" attack.

Dustin Lane and Patrick Callaway, a pair of linebackers, have been the headliners on a team that held nine of its 11 opponents to a touchdown or less.

Newnan quarterback Lendell Arnold has been the catalyst offensively for the Cougars.

And his 20-touchdown year, 14 passing and six running, is even more amazing when you remember that he was plugged in as the starting wide receiver all during summer practice.

Only when Zach Farmer sprained his ankle just a few days before the LaGrange opener did Arnold get the nod as the starting signal-caller.

But he's been there ever since and has excelled.

He's had plenty of help.

The offensive line jelled far quicker than most expected and the running and catching of Chris Robinson, Nick Hill, Jamal Ransby and Alec and Zander Ogletree paced the Cougars to 353 points during the regular season, second only to last year's 389 as the most ever in 10 games in NHS annals.

The Cougars have scored 381 points after 11 games also second only to last year's team that had 444 after the first round of the playoffs.

Defensively the Cougars matched last year's team through the first eight games, allowing just 28 points, the same as last year at the same point in the season and out-shutting out last year's shutout specialists five to four through the first eight.

The Cougars finished the regular season with those five shutouts while giving up 61 points, tied (with the 1954 team) for eighth place for fewest allowed on the all-time Newnan regular season list.

But the Cougars' 70 points allowed after 11 games is second all-time to last year's 28. The 1960 team ranks third with 71 points in 11 games.

Offensively the Cougars have been effective from any where on the field.

Nick Hill's 90-yard run against Mundy's Mill was their longest scoring play of the year, but the Cougars also have 21 touchdown drives of 60 yards or more.

This year's team is only the 12th NHS team ever to reach the 12-game plateau.

Of the previous 11, only four - the '08, '07, '03 and '81 teams - advanced farther while a fifth, the '49 team's 12th game was the state championship match against Cook County.

This year also marks the first time in Newnan history that the Cougars/Tigers have won three first-round playoff games in succession.

Newnan won back-to-back first round games in 1984-85 and again in '91-'92, and obviously in 2007-08 leading up to this season when the Cougars made it three straight first round wins with last week's victory over Valdosta.

-

M.L. KING (10-1) AT NEWNAN (11-0)

TONIGHT, 7:30 P.M., DRAKE STADIUM

RADIO: WCOH-1330AM with Ray McKnight, Patrick Glory and Van Mottola

HOW THEY GOT HERE: Newnan is 11-0 and the No. 1 seed from Region 4-AAAAA; Newnan defeated Valdosta (7-4) 28-9 last week at home; M.L. King is 10-1 and the No. 2 seed from Region 2-AAAAA; M.L. King defeated Jenkins (4-7) 35-0 at home on Saturday.

STATE RANKINGS: Newnan is No. 4 in Class AAAAA (AP); M.L. King is unranked.

RECORDS SINCE 2006: Newnan 42-7; M.L. King 40-7.

HEAD COACHES: M.L. King's Corey Jarvis (49-10, fifth season), Newnan's Mike McDonald (first season at Newnan, 11-0; Overall 30-15)

PREVIOUS MEETINGS: This will be the first football game played between the two schools.

WHEN M.L. KING HAS THE BALL

M.L.KING OFFENSE (Multiple pro, I) (stats through 10 games)--RB Mack Brown (9 games, 939 yards rushing 9 TDs; 106 yards receiving, TD) ; QB Cameron Myers (911 yards passing, 15 TDs, 5 INT; 160 yards rushing); QB Kevin Byard (197 yards rushing, 2 TDs; 242 passing, 2 TD, 2 INT); WR Cory Phillips (9 catches, 74 yards); RB Willie Spain (149 yards rushing 5 TDs); TE Kenneth Baldridge (4 catches, 46 yards, 3 TDs); WR Cleveland Andrews (8 catches, 232 yards, 2 TDs); WR Kevonne Byard (7 catches, 73 yards); WR Demarco Robinson (12 catches, 291 yards, 2 TDs); WR Johnathan Sellers (6 catches, 103 yards, 2 TDs); WR Ant Hill; C Bryce Bell (6-2, 330) OL Gensen Scott (6-3, 275), OL Dameon Herring (5-10, 280), OL Jeremy Little (5-11, 220); OL Nic Hall (6-4, 320); OL Dontre Stephens (6-2, 320)

NEWNAN DEFENSE (3-5) -- DL O.D. Pittman (31 tackles, sack, 11 hurries) DL Chris Teagle (33 tackles, sack, 17 hurries) DL Cameron Rosser (41 tackles, 5 for loss, 4 sacks, 8 hurries); DL J.R. Cameron (14 tackles, 3 for loss, 3 hurries); LB Adam Strakose (83 tackles, 11 for loss, sack, 3 hurries, forced fumble); LB Zander Ogletree (71 tackles, 7 for loss, 2 sacks, INT, blocked kick); LB Anthony Cruver (58 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries); LB Denzel Smith (37 tackles, 2 sacks, INT); LB Trevor Tanner (48 tackles, 3 for loss, sack, 2 forced fumbles, TD); LB Alberry Melson (48 tackles, 8 for loss); S Alec Ogletree (63 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 INT, blocked kick); CB Jamal Ransby (21 tackles, 6 INT, 5 pass breakups), CB Cantrell Dix (23 tackles, 2INT)

OUTLOOK -- Talented Mack Brown may be the fuel that has pushed the Lions to an average effort of 27.6 points per game, but the Lions offense may get its strength through its overall team depth. M.L. King has has as many as seven receivers catch balls and uses as many as eight running backs in its multiple-pro set. Brown's talent may be similar to East Coweta senior tailback Tay Willis, so the experience should help. But the Cougars may not be able to completely zero in on just one player. At tight end, Baldridge has four catches, but three of them for scores and M.L. King has at least six players with one touchdown catch or more.

Newnan senior linebacker Adam Strakose had another monster week defensively in last Friday's win over Valdosta, making 14 tackles, 9 solo and three for loss. Fellow linebacker Zander Ogletree did it all, with nine tackles, a sack, three hurries and a forced fumble while yet another linebacker -- Alberry Melson, had 11 tackles. That group will be looking out for short screen passes that the Lions have keyed on this season for big gains.

WHEN NEWNAN HAS THE BALL

NEWNAN OFFENSE (SPREAD) stats through 10 games-- QB Lendell Arnold (1,249 yards passing, 12 TDs, 9 INTs; 335 yards rushing, 5 TDs); RB Chris Robinson (977 yards rushing, 16 TDs); RB Nick Hill (431 yards rushing, 6 TDs); WR Alec Ogletree (23 catches, 481 yards, 4 TDs) WR Zander Ogletree (11 catches, 186 yards, 3 TDs); WR Jamal Ransby (11 catches, 147 yards, TD); WR Thad Johnson (18 catches, 210 yards); WR Shaq Warner (15 catches, 138 yards, TD); Hakeem Wynn (9 catches, 187 yards, 2 TDs); OL David Rowe, OL Miles Volkmer, OL Chris Beno, OL Josh Phillips, OL Ron Wroble, OL Alex Farmer.

M.L. KING DEFENSE (SHADE 50) -- DB Cory Phillips (5-10, 170), LB/DE Rahmon Swain (6-2, 210); LB Dustin Lane (83 tackles) , LB Patrick Callaway (75 tackles, INT); Caleb Watkins, Kevin Byard, DB Aldrickious Shoemake, DB Johnathan Sellers, Dameon Herring, DT Fred Allen (6-1, 225), Damani Wilkins, DE/LB Joshua McClure , CB Chris Francis

OUTLOOK -- M.L. King has relied on its top-two linebackers much like Newnan has in Cougars seniors Adam Strakose and Zander Ogletree. Callaway and Lane have led a unit that has caused over 30 fumbles this year, including seven in a pair of games. The Lions have recovered at least 12 of those loose balls, meaning Newnan's top trio of running backs will have to keep their eye on defenders trying to pry balls loose during runs. For the past two weeks, Newnan has saved its best for last offensively, scoring 29 points in the fourth quarter against county rival East Coweta and 21 in the second half against Valdosta. With his first playoff start under his belt, Arnold may seem even more comfortable in the pocket this week, having thrown for two touchdowns against Valdosta. The clock will be key again tonight with hopes of keeping M.L. King's offense and running back Mack Brown off the field.

Newnan coaches may have an advantage in preparation this week, having been able to see M.L. King's first-round 35-0 victory over Jenkins live on Saturday. Newnan won its game against Valdosta on Friday night.

Comment On This Story

Times-Herald.com does not necessarily agree with the comments posted below. Responsibility of comments rests solely with the writer. Comments posted in ALL CAPS will be deleted.

Submission of a comment does not guarantee publication. Comments will be posted by a moderator after being scanned for abusive language, relevance, etc. See our Comments FAQ for more details.