Newton football can’t overcome miscues in loss to ADM

ADEL — The Newton football team had more first downs, a slight advantage in total yards and committed fewer penalties, but three turnovers plagued the Cardinals in their season-opening loss to ADM on Friday.

The Tigers led 10-0 at halftime and held off a late Newton rally with back-to-back interceptions in the fourth quarter during a 13-8 non-district home win.

“I think we played OK,” Newton head football coach Andy Swedenhjelm said. “We competed really well, and our kids gave great effort and never quit. We just had a hard time finishing, which is what we’ll have to do better to beat good teams.”

Both teams scored just one touchdown, but two field goals by Ethan Asche ended up being the difference. He connected on a 21-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter and then drilled a 34-yarder with 34 seconds to play in the third.

Caden Klein scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 8:23 to go in the game to make it 13-6. Newton added a safety with 6:25 left after it blocked a punt that went into the end zone.

The Cardinals (0-1) got the ball two more times but turned the ball over on both possessions.

“We had an opportunity to win the game at the end so that’s the position you want to be in when playing good teams,” Swedenhjelm said. “Turnovers played a part of it, but we also had other mistakes. Twice we had the ball in the red zone and came away with no points.

“We need to be able to finish in those situations.”

Klein led Newton with 116 rushing yards and one TD on 21 carries. He also threw for 231 yards and three interceptions in his debut at quarterback.

Finn Martin grabbed five passes for 87 yards, Cade Bauer snagged two catches for 38 yards and Skyler Milheiser had two catches for 33 yards.

Qhjuan Coley rushed six times for 26 yards and caught one pass for 16 yards, Nick Thomason’s only catch went for 26 yards and Isaiah Hansen grabbed three passes for 17 yards. Reilly Trease caught one pass for 14 yards.

Nick Milburn led the Newton defense with 13 tackles and one sack in his varsity debut. Trey Davidson had five tackles, Damien Smith made four tackles and Klein had three tackles and one interception.

Newton had an 18-12 advantage in first downs and out-gained the Tigers 376-367. The Cardinals were 4-of-13 on third down and committed eight penalties for 55 yards.

“We had a few drives stall out due to poorly-timed penalties,” Swedenhjelm said. “We will work with our guys on improving those situations. Overall, a lot of guys played significant roles for the first time in a varsity game so tons to build on.”

ADM (1-0) was 3-of-11 on third down, had 10 penalties for 71 yards and averaged 5 yards per carry.

Hudson Shull led the Tigers with 223 passing yards, one TD and one interception. He also rushed for 36 yards on 11 carries.

Corbin Reed caught five passes for 82 yards, Reed Obstarczyk’s only catch went for a 43-yard TD early in the second quarter and Talon Harvey rushed for 82 yards on 13 carries and caught one pass for 40 yards.

Brayden Rynearson and Jonathon Hatchett each had six tackles to lead the ADM defense.

“Our defense was outstanding all night,” Swedenhjelm said. “They had a couple of busts that led to long plays but otherwise gave great effort and played physical all night.

“They had a few great stands and did a nice job. We are excited to take the next step forward with them.”

The Cardinals host Dallas Center-Grimes (0-1) in their home opener inside H.A. Lynn Stadium at 7 p.m. on Friday in Newton.