High School Football: Northeastern’s Jacoby Newman scores three TDs as Jets beat Greeneview 32-0

Newman scored on a 22-yard run, a 70-yard punt return and caught a 15-yard TD pass to lead the Jets to a 26-0 halftime lead. Houseman also scored on a 60-yard run in the first half.

The key, Newman said, is playing with a sense of urgency.

“If you give 100% every play, good things happen,” Newman said.

Jets seniors Cody Houseman and Jackson Jones each rushed for touchdowns as Northeastern improved to 3-0.

“I challenge the guys each week,” said Jets coach Jake Buchholtz. “They’ve got to take it personally. Greeneview has won a lot of football games over the years. They’re still the OHC South champions, and so we know that they’re used to winning. I didn’t think we played our best football tonight. We had way too many turnovers. But, you know, attitude and effort. I told her guys after the game, all the things that I didn’t think we did well were self-inflicted, and those are things that you can correct. I was definitely happy. Any time you beat Greeneview, it’s a good night. They’re a great program. They’re well coached. (Rams coach Ryan Haines) does a great job with (his team).

The Jets fumbled the opening kickoff, but forced the Rams to punt. On their next possession, Jets quarterback Diezel Taylor hit Newman on a long pass play that set up a 22-yard TD run by Newman midway through the first quarter.

Northeastern made it a two-score lead when Houseman took a 60-yard run to the house.

With 3:45 remaining in the first half, Newman returned a punt 70 yards for a TD to make it 20-0.

After forcing a Rams punt, Taylor scrambled out of the pocket and found Newman on a 15-yard pass to make it 26-0.

“We try to get as creative as we can (with Newman) to get the ball in his hands because we know he can make magic happen,” Buchholtz said. “I do think there’s a lot of focus that gets put on (Jets running back Cody Houseman). Anytime you can stretch the field with Jake it’s super helpful. He played lights out tonight. That’s what he expects to do, and that’s what we expect out of him.”

The Rams drove the ball deep into Northeastern territory three times in the second half, but weren’t able to find the end zone.

“We’re an inexperienced football team and - not making excuses - I think we replaced 20 or 21 starters from last year’s team,” Haines said. “Northeastern is a darn good football team, but they whipped us in every phase in the first half, and I was proud of the way our kids responded in the second half.”

Jets senior Jackson Jones added a 31-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.

After three straight wins, Newman said, the Jets want to keep the streak alive. The senior class grew up winning in pee wee and middle school and know what it takes to be a competitive football team.

“It’s just a tough group of kids,” Newman said. “We’re all best friends. We rally around each other.”

Northeastern will travel to Clark County rival Southeastern (0-3) next week.

Greeneview fell to 1-2. They’ll host Fairbanks in Week 4.