TOP GAMES OF THE WEEK PREVIEW: Newberry at Hawthorne

Newberry Panthers at Hawthorne Hornets

When: Friday

Where: Annie Mae Phillips Stadium, Hawthorne

Kickoff: 7:30 PM ET

TV: WGFL 28.2 – My 11 Gainesville, Cox Cable Channel 11

Radio: WPLL 106.9 FM, TuneIn App & Apple Music App – “I Am Country 106.9″ via The Prep Zone

Coaches: Ed Johnson, Newberry; Cornelius Ingram, Hawthorne

Last Five Meetings
2019: Newberry 20, Hawthorne 17
2012: Newberry 50, Hawthorne 8
2011: Hawthorne 33, Newberry 27
2008: Newberry 48, Hawthorne 0
2009: Newberry 47, Hawthorne 0

Key Players: Newberry: QB Makai Johnson (2021), OG Mason Markle (2021); LB Munashe Lancaster (2021); LB Leontre Robinson (2021), SAF Tyreke Williams (2021), SAF Thad Rucker (2022); Hawthorne: ILB Jayquan Williams (2022), CB Dre Lawrence (2021), DT Thurman Mills (2021)

Skinny: Ed Johnson, who is entering his second season as the visiting Panthers’ head coach, was able to lead the Panthers last season to a 9-2 record and a No. 1 seed in the Class 1A-Region 4 playoffs before a surprising exit came in the regional semifinals. However, despite what happened in the playoffs last season, there is a lot of hope for the Panthers who are looking to keep things rolling in what is going to most certainly be an unpredictable season. However, some key losses occurred during the offseason with all-state offensive lineman Julius Johnson transferring into neighboring Trenton while several other key all-state players last year graduated including that of another offensive lineman, Cedric Cohens. But the future does seem to be bright still with Johnson (546 yards passing, 9 TDs, 3 INTs; 259 yards rushing, 2 TDs in 2019) looks to lead the way again in 2020 for the Panthers on offense. Defensively all-state linebacker Robinson (61 total tackles, 12.5 TFL, 18 hurries, 1 pass break up, 1 FR, 5 FF in 2019) will be a key leader looking to continue to improve upon his numbers from last season. For Hawthorne, they too are coming off another playoff season, but will also have some shoes to fill after losing some all-state players from last season due to graduation like defensive lineman Kentrell Strickland and quarterback Keyshaun Williams. If anything, it appears that defense will have to lead the way with Jayquan Williams (142 total tackles, 2 sacks, 2 INTs, 7 pass breakups, 3 FR, 2 FF in 2019), an all-state linebacker, and all-state cornerback Lawrence (38 total tackles, 5 INTs, 7 pass breakups, 1 FR, 1 FF in 2019) stepping up to lead the way for the team to get the season started.

Joe Pinkos’ Forecast: Newberry by 8

Twitter Poll

Who do you think wins Friday night?

Newberry at Hawthorne
When: Friday 9/4
Where: Annie Mae Phillips Stadium, Hawthorne
Kickoff: 7:30 PM ET@DCCoachJ5 @HHS_Football352 @CIngram_85 @Coachadkinsd @Coach_Daniels58

— FloridaHSFootball.com (@FlaHSFootball) September 2, 2020