Newman Smith Clinches First Playoff Spot in 26 Years

CARROLLTON- The Carrollton Newman Smith Trojans (6-2, 4-1) ended 26 years of frustration as they clinched a playoff spot with an emphatic 43-22 win over the Rockwall Yellow Jackets (4-4, 2-3) at Standridge Stadium.

Randall Joyner lead a potent Trojans attack on offense rushing for 135 yards and two touchdowns including a big 71 yard touchdown run in the third quarter to start a huge second half for the Trojans. Al Lasker picked off two passes and returned the second INT 62 yards for a touchdown to ice the game.

The Trojans' quarterback, Aldo Quiroga, was solid once again throwing for 62 yards and rushing for 86 yards and 3 touchdowns. Joyner who also spent some time on defense notched an interception as well.

It appeared the game would be a shootout early with both teams trading scores. Newman Smith made the first big play as after pinning Rockwall on their own four, DB Trai Pickney picked off Adam Dingwell and setting up the Trojans at the RHS 17.

Quiroga finished the drive scoring on a three yard run making it 6-0 as the PAT was missed. Rockwall would quickly answer as Dingwell hooked up with a wide open Will Beasley for a 64 yard touchdown pass to make it 7-6.

After a Newman Smith punt, Rockwall would make it 14-6 scoring on a one yard run by Dingwell as the Yellow Jackets took advantage of great field position. Newman Smith however wasted little time answering as Quiroga mixed short passes with some strong running from Joyner and Terrell Wilson who finished with 69 yards on just nine carries. Quiroga capped the drive with an eight yard run making it 14-12 as the two point run failed.

The Trojans took the lead for good right before halftime as a once shaky kicking game got in order quickly as Phillipe Ichter nailed a 28 yard field goal to make it 15-14.

The second half would belong to the Trojans as they turned a close game into a rout starting with Lasker's big run to make it 22-14. After a Rockwall punt the Trojans would methodically move down and score on a one yard run by Joyner to go up 29-14. Lasker's big INT return early in the fourth would put the game out of reach at 36-14.

Quiroga would add an 18 yard touchdown run late to put Newman Smith up 43-14 and Rockwall would score with little more than a minute left as Dingwell threw a five yard scoring toss to Luke Wardell and the Yellow Jackets got the two point conversion for the final edge at 43-22.

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