By Jamie Wachter/executive sports editor
DECATUR — West Lauderdale fullback Robert Sillimon rumbled 30 yards on the first play of the game Friday night.
It was a sign of things to come as the sophomore powered the Knights past host Newton County 47-7.
"Robert kind of spearheaded everything tonight," West coach Glen Sanders said. "He had a big night running the football, and we felt like coming in that we needed to get Robert running it a little bit more and he was able to have a big night, but he also had some big holes to run through."
Sillimon finished off the opening drive with a 15-yard score as he churned out 161 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.
"West hit us in the mouth and we didn't really like it," Newton County coach Jeff Breland said. "That's a trademark of ours, we're usually a physical football team. But, they got after us and they deserved to win the football game."
Following the initial drive, West (3-2) spent most of the first half in Cougar territory as Newton County (0-4) fumbled away one possession and struggled on special teams — a high snap setting West up on the NC 17 with nine minutes remaining in the first quarter, and allowing a partial block of a punt late in the first quarter giving the Knights the ball at the Cougar 38.
Still, Newton County's defense rose to the occasion. Despite starting in Newton County territory on three straight possessions, West was able to muster just one score — a 3-yard scoring romp from senior running back Dennis Lewis, who had 64 yards on 14 carries as West rushed for 232 yards on 42 carries — which came following the botched punt snap.
"Our defense did play well in the first half, and their backs were against the wall all night," Breland said.
The Knights did add a third score late in the first half, again taking advantage of a Cougar miscue. After forcing West into a three-and-out, Newton County was called for a roughing the kicker penalty as Nate Hodges boomed a 54-yarder, giving the Knights another opportunity. Sillimon again provided the thunder on the drive, breaking loose for 28 yards to set up Ryan Hines' 2-yard score.
Newton County, though, battled back at the outset of the third quarter. After a pair of Cougars were unable to corral West's bouncing kick, Hakeem Wesley scooped it up at the 22 and raced 78 yards to pull the Cougars within 21-7.
The Knights quickly dashed any hopes the Cougars had, though, of stealing momentum. Sillimon again answered the call when West needed a big play. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Sillimon darted untouched through the middle of the line for 53 yards before being knocked down from behind. Three plays later, David Lott raced around end for a 17-yard score.
"It did (give us some life)," Breland said. "But we come right back around and they go the distance on us. Had we not, who knows what happens from that point forward."
Added Sanders: "We knew we had to come right back and we came back with the big long run and kind of got the momentum back on our side."
While Sillimon was tearing through the Newton County defense, the Cougars' offense sputtered. Newton County totaled 84 yards on 49 plays, rushing for 73 on 40 carries. The Cougars also lost three fumbles, threw an interception which Deondra Williams returned 30 yards for a score with 11 minutes left in the game. Newton County also had two botched long snaps on punts which handed West great field position.
"We had a great plan coming in," Sanders said. "Our coaches had a great plan and I thought we executed the plan well. I'm not going to say we picked up any tendencies, but we kind of felt like in certain formations, we were going to find some things and our guys recognized formations well. We are getting much better at making our reads defensively."
Added Breland: "We had trouble blocking them, and West has a good football team. We're struggling offensively."
