RGR | Newton goes for three straight with trip to Haysville-Campus
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RGR | Newton goes for three straight with trip to Haysville-Campus
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On Friday night, Newton (2-4) will face its first road game since Sep. 23 when it takes on Haysville Campus (1-5) in an Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division 1 matchup that carries plenty of weight in terms of playoff seeding.
Location: Campus Colt Stadium (Haysville)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Weather: 75 degrees. Mostly clear. 0% chance of rain.
Spread (via the Esch Index): Newton (-13)
What’s at stake?
Newton is looking to put the finishing touches on its first three-game win streak since 2009. Haysville-Campus is looking for its first win since Sep. 16 when the Colts defeated Salina South, 56-41. If the playoffs started this week, the Railers would be facing Valley Center in the opening round — which they lost to by four in week one. A win over Campus would keep them in a prime position to have a favorable matchup on Oct. 28. Newton currently occupies the 12th seed in 5A West.
Key matchup
Despite its record, Haysville-Campus has shown the ability to put up points with its flexbone offense (35 vs. Goddard and 56 vs. Salina South). The Newton defense, led by safety Niko Ramos with four interceptions over the last two weeks, must continue playing with confidence if it hopes to secure a third consecutive victory. The Colts are desperate to break their three-game losing streak and will look for ways to catch the Railers off guard. Assignment discipline for Newton is critical in a game like this one.
Players to watch
Newton: RB James Hulse. The junior has led the Railers in rushing in the team’s two wins as head coach Greg Slade has placed an emphasis on establishing the ground game offensively. Hulse tallied 105 and 96 yards against Arkansas City and Salina South, respectively. He’s quickly become a force to be reckoned with for Newton.
Haysville-Campus: FB Remey Buckles. The senior starts at B-Back for the Colts and will be the primary downhill ball carrier for the home squad. Like any other flexbone offense, Campus’s scoring goes as Buckles goes. The Railer defense will be tasked with taking him away and forcing the Colts to make plays on the perimeter.
Facts and figures
Newton is 2-2 vs. Haysville-Campus since 2018. … Newton is coming off a 45-14 win over Salina South, while Haysville-Campus is coming off a 28-7 loss to Hutchinson. … This game marks the first of two straight road games for Newton to end the regular season. … Haysville-Campus averages just over 24 points per game, while Newton averages just over 21 points per game. … Newton allows just over 17 points per game, while Haysville-Campus allows just over 41 points per game.
Esch Index projection: Newton 34, Haysville-Campus 21
Brett is a Communication Arts major at Bethel College, Editor-in-Chief of the Bethel Collegian, and Newton (KS) High School football beat writer. You can reach him via email or on Twitter.