Goldbacks cruise past Kingston, 47-0

By Mike Zummo
Posted 10/24/19

Deondre Johnson said he was nervous before his first varsity football game on Friday night.

It didn’t show as Newburgh Free Academy’s 6-foot-6-inch freshman caught a touchdown pass and …

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Goldbacks cruise past Kingston, 47-0

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Deondre Johnson said he was nervous before his first varsity football game on Friday night.

It didn’t show as Newburgh Free Academy’s 6-foot-6-inch freshman caught a touchdown pass and had an interception in the Goldbacks’ 47-0 win over the Kingston Tigers.

“I was nervous to begin with,” Johnson said. “I just had to step up for my team.”

With the Goldbacks leading by three touchdowns in the second quarter, Newburgh quarterback Amarri Tice hit Johnson in stride for a 32-yard touchdown pass, giving him his first touchdown reception.

“It was crazy,” Johnson said. “The first touchdown was ridiculous.”

He only played a half because of the Goldbacks’ big lead and capped off his night when he intercepted Kingston quarterback Chapman Parker, returning it the ball to the Kingston 12-yard line as time expired.

Johnson was named Newburgh Free Academy Player of the Game.

“It means a lot,” Johnson said. “I never thought it was going to be like this. I’m at a loss for words.”

The Goldbacks weren’t at a loss for offense as they put up three touchdowns in each of the first two quarters to take a 41-0 lead at halftime, despite the loss of running back Syncere Tatum after a 57-yard run in the first quarter.

Newburgh coach Bill Bianco said Tatum didn’t return to the game as a precautionary measure.

“We’ve been rolling the four backs all year for this reason,” Bianco said. “We have to be deep. The other guys came in and they’ve been carrying the ball anyway. We didn’t lose anything.”

Joe Cotten finished off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run.

Tice also threw touchdown passes to Kendall Scott and Jaden Caballero. On the ground, Justin Barnhill and Yasir Arnold added first-half touchdowns for the Goldbacks.

“I’m really happy that we could finish on a high note here at home,” Bianco said. “Sometimes in closer games you can’t get everyone in, but on Senior Night, it was great to get all the seniors in. I was rolling guys in even in the second quarter.”

By the second half, the starters were out of the lineup as Tice gave way to backup quarterback Tyler Rafferty, who threw a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Barnhill.

“Sometimes in games like this, I think it’s more important to get some of those guys that practice every day and are scouts for you in than putting some crazy score up,” Bianco said. “I’m just happy those guys got to play, and those guys have been working hard all year for an opportunity to play and we can’t always get them in.”

Even though the Goldbacks’ offensive output slowed down, except for one Kingston drive where they moved the ball, the defense continued to hold the Tigers scoreless.

“Sometimes the starters do a good job to get us a lead and maybe a shutout and it doesn’t always work out for them holding it,” Bianco said. “We told them at halftime when this game is in hand, there’s a good chance you’re going to play.”

Last week’s game finished the Goldbacks’ home schedule and they’ll travel to Faller Field on Friday night to finish the regular season. A win over Middletown will guarantee the Goldbacks (6-0. 5-0 Class AA) the top seed in the Section 9 Class AA playoffs.

“It should be a great game,” Bianco said. “Both teams are really good. I’m sure that place is going to be packed over there. I’m excited and I’m sure they are, too.”