Newman Smith's playoff ride ends in loss to Longview
ZZGCX | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Through a stiff wind, the ball sailed end over end, carrying with it the dreams of Carrollton Newman Smith's resilient football team. Seconds later, when it floated wide of the right upright, those hopes of survival were extinguished.
Newman Smith missed a 47-yard field goal attempt with 1:54 remaining in the fourth quarter and lost, 28-25, to Longview in a Class 4A Division I Region II semifinal Saturday.
"Man, it's hard to lose like this," Newman Smith quarterback Aldo Quiroga said. "It hurts."
Only moments before, Newman Smith coach Paul Ressa was certain his team would prevail and prolong its storybook season.
With 3:52 left in regulation, and Longview (12-1) facing fourth-and-2 at Newman Smith's 30-yard line, Trojans linebacker Allen Melson shed a block and stopped Da'Cedric Hunt at the line of scrimmage. Seventy yards away from the end zone, with the ball in hand and plenty of time remaining on the clock, Newman Smith (10-3) and Ressa were confident they would score again.
Newman Smith quickly moved downfield -- even gaining a first down on a fake punt -- against a Longview team that ended the regular season ranked No. 2 in the state in 4A. But the promising drive stalled at Longview's 30-yard line after three consecutive incompletions.
Newman Smith then tried to tie the score, but the field goal attempt missed by just a few feet.
"It was a relief," Hunt said.
For Newman Smith, it was gut-wrenching. This was the first time it advanced to the third round of the playoffs.
"I'm not quite ready to leave this team," Ressa said with tears in his eyes. "They're special."
Longview advanced to play Waxahachie in the regional final at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at John E. Kincaide Stadium.
Longview ran for 301 yards and never trailed. Quiroga accounted for 245 yards and three touchdowns for Newman Smith.
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