Resilience in the First Half
The Hornets fell behind early, but a 14‑yard touchdown pass from sophomore Kendryk Hampton to Stone Fenton sparked a comeback that kept the visitors within striking distance.
Freshman Davario Dozier made his presence felt on both sides of the ball, delivering a tackle for loss and contributing several defensive stops that halted Newark’s drives.
Senior Cayden Cross powered the ground game with 25 yards, including three consecutive gains of 11, 7 and 7 yards that set up a crucial scoring drive.
The offense found a late surge when sophomore Ty'Quan Crawford hauled in an 18‑yard acrobatic catch and Jaydyn Powell capped the rally with a one‑yard touchdown run.
Coach Ryan Sayers praised the collective effort, noting the team’s ‘New Heights’ mentality and emphasizing that the underclassmen’s readiness was a product of preparation and unity.
The defense sealed the win with key stops, including an interception by junior Tip Davis and a sack that halted Newark’s final push.
Looking ahead, the Hornets will host Bishop Ready in Week 2, hoping to build on the momentum generated by a debut performance that featured no senior starters on the offensive line.