Font ResizeThe Cougars scored 20 first-half points, cruising to victory on the road in San Ramon on Friday night. Newark Memorial's Marty Leggett (126 yards) and Robert Ramirez (85 yards) each rushed for two touchdowns, while cornerback Fred Tidwell accounted for three first-half interceptions, one going for a 45-yard touchdown return.
Newark Memorial (1-0) jumped off to a quick 7-0 start on its first possession of the game on a four-yard run by Leggett. Less than a minute later, on Dougherty Valley's first offensive series, Tidwell picked off quarterback Umar Farooq for a 13-0 lead with 7:27 left in the first quarter.
The Cougars led 20-0 at the half and 27-0 after scoring on their first possession of the third quarter on a touchdown pass from Riley Piven.
Dougherty Valley (0-1) cut into Newark Memorial's lead on a 17-yard touchdown run by Kody Knezeak to make the score 27-6. After capturing the ensuing onside kick, the Wildcats appeared to be mounting a comeback attempt, but fumbled on Newark Memorial's 3-yard line.
Newark Memorial then put the game away with 14 unanswered points on rushing touchdowns by Ramirez and Aron Miller respectively.
Newark Memorial 40, Dougherty Valley 19
Newark Memorial 13 7 14 6-- 40
NM -- Leggett 4 run (Jones kick)
NM -- Tidwell 45-yard interception return (kick failed)
NM -- Leggett 18 run (Jones kick)
NM -- Ramirez 43 pass from Piven (Jones kick)
DV -- Knezeak 17 run (kick failed)
NM -- Ramirez 63 run (kick failed)
NM -- Miller 15 run (Jones kick)
DV -- Edejer 8 run (conversion failed)
DV -- Adleye 7 pass from Padrid (Farooq kick)
Statistics
Rushing: NM -- Leggett 13-126, Ramirez 5-85, Napal 7-54, Miller 7-53, Morton 6-33, Pivas 4-13, Pivin 1-1. Totals 43-365. DV -- Adeoti 15-96, Knezeak 7-59, Adelekan 13-55, Tran 6-33, Edejer 3-29, Padrid 1-27. Totals 45-299.
Passing: NM -- Pivin 3-11-0 64, Jones 0-1-0 0. Totals 3-12-0 64. DV -- Farooq 2-8-2 41, Padrid 1-1-0 7, Knezeak 0-1-1 0. Totals 3-10-3 48.
Receiving: NM -- Ramirez 2-56, Leggett 1-8. DV -- Do 1-26, Farooq 1-15, Adleye 1-7.
Fumbles/lost: Newark Memorial -- 2/0, Dougherty Valley -- 4/3.
Records: Newark Memorial 1-0, Dougherty Valley 0-1.
