WEST PALM BEACH, FL – On a night where Seniors and Homecoming was celebrated, Cardinal Newman hosted a packed house, facing a tough district foe in Benjamin.
Newman set the tone as the defense stuffed Benjamin on the opening possession and followed up with a touchdown up the middle on their first offensive possession. With Linebacker turned Running Back Henry Bennett taking most of the redzone snaps tonight. Newman would extend their lead later in the first quarter with a field goal to give them a comfy 10-0 lead. Newman would start the quarter with the ball after Xanai Scott had a big interception which prevented Benjamin from getting on the board in the quarter. Benjamin’s time would come at the very end of the 2nd quarter as rising star Phoenix Donghia found the endzone with a goal line punch to shrink Newman’s lead heading into halftime.
Heading into the 2nd half Benjamin took their first lead of the game as Jayden Vega found Amaree Williams for a deep touchdown. Putting Benjamin up in front 14-10 as they would come into the final quarter of the game with the lead advantage.
Benjamin’s defense had their targets all night and one of them was Newman’s senior Quarterback, Luke Warnock. Luke took a big hit earlier in the 4th to which many thought gave him a potential concussion, however Luke opted to stay in the game, minutes later, Warnock was shook up again with another big hit which took him out of the game for quite some time in the quarter. This left Newman to focus all their energy on backup Quarterback Byron Hughley. With six and a half minutes left on the board Hughley led the Newman squad down the field and found Max Redmon for the game winning touchdown. Newman had regained their lead with just mere minutes left to go.
Newman’s defense would stand its ground and ultimately give Newman’s offense a final chance to get back on the field and secure the win. With this win Newman advances to 7-1 on the year, they will travel to Wellington to face off with Palm Beach Central in two week to end their season after a bye week next week gives them time to prepare. As for Benjamin, they fall to 6-2. They will host Ed White from Jacksonville next week as they look to bounce back.
