Newman pulls away for 41-12 win over M.L. King Charter

NEW ORLEANS – Taking on a challenging schedule, Isidore Newman has been through battles all season long. Friday night was not an exception.

The Greenies took a short ride to New Orleans East to take on a tough MLK Charter team looking for the biggest win in school history. Overcoming a slow start, Newman took charge to take a 41-12 victory at Joe Brown Stadium.

MLK Charter (6-3, 0-2) set the tone defensively with a forced fumble by Kennel Hamilton and Gerad Cobbins recovered. The Jaguars struck soon after to lead 6-0 on a 43-yard touchdown pass from Joe Riley Jr. to David Webb.

Newman (7-1, 2-0) knew they had a fight on their hands. They jumped off the canvas and went on a 66-yard drive in 11 plays. Will Zurik scored a three yard touchdown for a 7-6 lead.

The steady running game was the story of the night for the Greenies. It set up Arch Manning to make important throws to help Newman pull away in the second half.

“This is a great team win. I give credit to my offensive line. They got me through the 1st layer and then I can do my work,” said Zurik. “They work their butts off every day and I would be nothing without them.”

Zurik finished with 25 carries for 109 yards along with four catches for 49 yards and two touchdowns.

Manning connected with Jake Randle for a five-yard touchdown that helped Newman extend to a 14-6 lead heading into the half.

It was a defensive struggle for most of the third quarter. The Jaguars held the Greenies to a pair of field goals (36, 38) by John Nieset before Manning broke it open with the big play pass. The quarterback and Texas commit took to the skies for an 81-yard touchdown to Peter Loop that made it 27-6.

The Jaguars didn’t go away that easy, utilizing the explosive passing game themselve. Eric Cheneau connected with Durance Allen for a 41-yard touchdown to draw MLK Charter closer at 27-12.

Newman’s response came on a 47-yard drive over eight plays. Manning tossed to Zurik for a one yard touchdown pass extending the lead to 34-12. Manning later connected with Loop for a 17-yard touchdown to finish off the Jaguars.

Manning led the Greenies with 15 of 23 passes for 233 yards and four touchdowns.

“We expected a hard game and it was tight early. We did a good job getting plays down the field,” said Newman Head Coach Nelson Stewart. “We challenged our offensive line to give Will Zurik the ability to run the football and control the clock. We really worked hard and they did not sneak up on us. MLK is a really good team.”

Marcus Robinson led MLK Charter with 16 carries for 75 yards.

“It’s a battle of attrition. When you got 30 and they have 65, it happens that way,” said MLK Charter head coach Joe Riley. “We build our team through defense and running the football. We lost to the number one team in the state and it is what it is. We have long way to go and a short time to get there.”

Newman will battle St. Charles Catholic next Friday for District 10-2A championship at Michael Lupin Field. MLK Charter will take on Metairie Park Country Day in the regular season finale next Saturday evening at Joe Brown Stadium.