Newsome Helps Hoke to 3-0 Start

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RAEFORD - Milton Butts has had more than his share of outstanding running backs during his high school coaching career. But even he admits that this year's star at Hoke County, Detrez Newsome, may be in a class by himself.

"He has that combination of strength and power, and he might be a step faster than some we've had,'' said Butts. "He also has pretty good vision.''

All of that shows in the fast start that Newsome has gotten off to this season.

Last Friday against Seventy-First, Newsome had the worst game he's had so far this season. He rushed for 101 yards and scored touchdowns on runs of 41, 6 and 3 yards.

For the season, in just three games, he's gained 731 yards and scored 11 touchdowns.

He's averaging 13.5 yards every time he touches the ball on a running play.

After watching Newsome last Friday, Seventy-First coach Bob Paroli said he's got more than speed and power going for him.

"He's probably one of the most elusive running backs I've seen,'' he said. "Once he makes you miss, he's going full speed. Either you throw a net over him or you're not going to tackle him.''

Butts said another plus for Newsome is his surehandedness. "He's carried the ball 600 or 700 times and only given it up twice,'' Butts said. Butts credits offensive line coach Ryan Grates for working with Newsome on that, keeping the ball close to him and protecting it.

Grates has also worked with the Bucks' offensive line that has opened the holes Newsome has used to find his way through opposing defenses this season.

"With any back, it's what up front that counts,'' Butts said. "The kids have been stepping up. We've focused on getting better and the offensive line has been getting better.''

Newsome said there's been no one place his yardage has been coming from. "I've been working hard to get what I can,'' he said. "I go between the tackles and outside.

"We like pushing a play and doing it over until we get it right, then going out on Friday night and executing plays.''

Newsome realizes he's become the target of the defenses he's facing every week, but he said that's nothing new. He made a name for himself at the end of his junior year and he's been drawing most of the attention ever since.

"I've been working hard in the weight room and on the field, pushing myself to the limit,'' he said.

He's expecting things to get tougher in the weeks ahead as the Bucks begin play in the Southeastern 4-A Conference.

"It's a hard conference,'' he said.

Butts said the pressure to win won't just be on Newsome's shoulders when league play begins. "Everybody is going to have to get better,'' he said. "He's just a piece in the puzzle. We're fortunate to have him and he's fortunate to have us.

"We're going to carry this thing out together.''