’Canes roll past Moon
New Castle (48) vs. Moon (21)
Written: Oct 20, 2012
By Patrick E. Litowitz
New Castle News
New Castle’s offensive strategy is something akin to a math equation.
A team effort allows three players to produce hundreds of yards which culminates with a string of touchdowns. The result: a 48-21 victory over Moon last night at Taggart Stadium.
Jalen Holmes, Julian Cox and Malik Hooker generated more than a 100 yards apiece and scored two touchdowns each as the Red Hurricane continues their playoff push.
“We’ve been an explosive offense the last four or five weeks,” New Castle coach Joe Cowart said.
Holmes slammed through the Tigers defense 13 times for 149 yards, which included a 66-yard run. He scored on runs of 1 and 5 yards.
“When your offensive line produces ... once it happens ... getting the ball in Jalen’s hands is explosive,” said Cox, the New Castle quarterback.
Holmes, a senior, said he has three things on his mind when running: Don’t go down, stay on your feet and keep going.
“Jalen Holmes is a premier running back,” Cowart said. “Look at his resume during the past three years.”
Holmes passed the 900-yard mark for the season last night.
However, the ’Canes’ offensive line allowed a steady stream of yardage — nearly 400 yards — to flow throughout Taggart.
Cox rushed nine times for 88 yards and threw four completions for 77 yards. He scored on a six-yard run with 23 seconds left in the second quarter.
Jamal Moody’s interception 10 seconds later of Moon quarterback Caleb Jakiel’s pass put New Castle on the Moon 32. Cox hit Drew Allen on a 17-yard touchdown before the half.
Hooker scored on scampers of 66 and 18 yards in the second and fourth quarters. He finished the game with 136 yards in rushing and receiving yards.
Jake McPhatter scored on a 38-yard run for New Castle in the second quarter.
With the win, New Castle moves to 3-4 in the Parkway Conference and 4-4 overall. They advance to the post-season play with a victory at Hopewell (3-4 conference, 3-5 overall) next week.
“It’s a playoff game,” Cowart said of the matchup.
Moon’s scores came on two Jakiel passes to Colton McKay (28 yards) and V.J. Dean (9 yards). Anthony Colaianni, who led Moon (2-6, 1-6) with 132 yards rushing, scored late in the game on a 20-yard run.
Cowart said the game served another significance.
“I’m pleased with the victory especially on Senior Night and their last game at Taggart Stadium.
“More than X’s and O’s, that was more important. They put in a lot of time and effort.
“They were sent out the right way.”
(Email: plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com)
MOON NEW CASTLE
15 First downs 17
216 Yards Rushing 408
14 Yards Lost 16
202 Net Rushing 392
16 Passes Attempted 9
9 Passes Completed 4
2 Passes Intercepted 1
117 Yards Passing 77
319 Total Yards 469
2-1 Fumbles-Lost 1-0
3-31 Punts-Average 1-37
8-109 Penalties-Yards 4-23
MOON 0 7 7 7 — 21
NEW CASTLE 20 14 8 6 — 48
Scoring plays
NEW CASTLE — Jalen Holmes, 1-yard run (run failed).
NEW CASTLE — Malik Hooker, 66-yard run (Holmes run).
NEW CASTLE — Jake McPhatter, 38-yard run (run failed).
MOON — Colton McKay, 28-yard pass from Caleb Jakiel (A.J. McNary kick).
NEW CASTLE — Julian Cox, 6-yard run (Holmes run).
NEW CASTLE — Drew Allen, 17-yard pass from Cox (kick failed).
MOON — V.J. Dean, 9-yard pass from Jakiel (McNary kick).
NEW CASTLE — Holmes, 5-yard run (Holmes run).
NEW CASTLE — Hooker, 18-yard run (run failed).
MOON — Anthony Colaianni, 20-yard run (McNary kick).
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