LOUISVILLE — Four second-half turnovers created by defense provided the difference Friday night as the New Hope High School football team defeated Louisville 17-12 in the season opener for both teams at Hinze Stadium.
After a strong offensive first half, things unraveled by the Trojans. However, two first-half touchdowns by junior back Jameel Johnson stood up as a New Hope safety in the final half-minute accounted for the only second-half points on a hot, muggy night.
“Our defense played real well tonight,” New Hope coach Michael Bradley said. “This was a hard-fought game. Games like this in August are games of attrition. They had guys going down. We had guys going down. It came down to guts. I am really proud we found a way to get a win.”
Louisville had seven second-half possessions. Three of those drives ended with two interceptions by Trae Collins and another by Preston Davis. Q Newby also had a fumble recovery. The Wildcats also were turned away on downs twice and punted once.
“We have worked real hard in practice,” said Davis, a sophomore defensive back. “The defense really showed up tonight. We were tired, but we knew we had to pull it off tonight. I am really proud of everybody. This was a great team win.”
The teams went back and fourth in the opening half.
Defensively, the Wildcats energized the home crowd with back-to-back interceptions on New Hope”s first two possessions. The first theft was by Desmond Goss. The second theft was by Desmond Underwood, who returned his interception 64 yards for the season”s first touchdown. The conversion failed and Louisville led 6-0.
New Hope answered with an eight-play, 82-yard drive. Johnson broke two tackles and dashed 27 yards for the touchdown. Horace Carr kept for the two-point conversion on the final snap of the first quarter to give the Trojans an 8-6 lead.
Louisville answered the next time it touched the ball, moving 75 yards on four plays. This time, Goss did the scoring honors, as he raced 65 yards on a touchdown reception from quarterback Wyatt Roberts. This time, the try for two failed and Louisville led 12-8.
New Hope was held on its next possession but struck paydirt on its final try of the half. The Trojans moved 65 yards on 10 plays. Johnson carried three times on this drive, including a back-breaking 12-yard scamper on third-and-6. That score, coupled with Austin Oswalt”s extra point, placed the Trojans on top 15-12 with 36 seconds left before halftime.
“I have to give credit to my offensive line,” said Johnson, who ran 16 times for 73 yards. “This team has had a really great attitude and keeps working hard. I am proud we were able to come out here and get the win. Hopefully, this can be the start of a good year. It is all about the team this year at New Hope. We are working hard to be the best team we can be.
“Tonight the offense did enough. The defense played great. That is why we were able to get the win.”
In the game”s final half, things turned very defensive. Oswalt may have been the second half”s hero for the Trojans, as he punted five times for a 35-yard average. Louisville held New Hope to minus-22 yards offense in the game”s final 24 minutes. While Louisville had a big play here or there, the four turnovers proved to be their undoing.
“Turnovers and penalties,” Louisville coach M.C. Miller said. “We had 10 penalties and turned the ball over four times in the second half. Give credit to New Hope. They came in here outplayed us and outworked us. However, we didn”t do a lot of things right. It is hard to beat a good team when you make the number of mistakes we did tonight.”
Louisville”s best threat to take the lead came on the first possession of the second half. The Wildcats moved the ball from their 21-yard line to the New Hope 14. However, the turnover spree started with Davis making a nice stab in the back of the end zone to snuff out the threat.
Louisville moved to the New Hope 41-yard line on its next possession but was held on downs. The other three turnovers came with Louisville deep in its territory.
Defensively, Louisville New Hope twice in the red zone before the Trojans got a big defensive play that resulted in the safety in the game”s final half-minute.
“This is really a great way to start the season,” Bradley said. “Offensively, we did not move the ball in the second half. Defensively, we had several players step up and make plays. It really is too hot to be playing football in Mississippi in August. Tonight, it was about finding a way to hang on and keep enough people on the field to finish off a very nice win.”
New Hope held a 14-8 advantage in first downs. The Trojans ran the ball 45 times for 130 yards. The quarterback tandem of E.J. Jenkins and Darius Petty completed 6 of 11 passes for 28 yards. Louisville ran the ball 22 times for 51 yards. Roberts was 11 of 27 for 186 yards. Louisville held a 237-158 advantage in total yards.
Still, the Wildcats had a tough time overcoming four turnovers — all in the second half. Of Louisville”s 10 penalties, four came on third or fourth down and extended drives. New Hope was penalized only once — in the game”s final minute.
Louisville will plays at Demopolis (Ala.) next week, while New Hope has an open date.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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