[wadc45]

Carmel pulls off showcase stunner | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

Game-changer: Morgan Newton rambles toward the end zone, giving Carmel a 27-21 lead over Cathedral late in the fourth quarter. - Joe Vitti / The Star

By Mark Ambrogi
Posted: August 24, 2008

CARMEL, Ind. -- One reason ESPN chose to televise Saturday's Cathedral-Carmel high school football game was the star power of Carmel senior quarterback Morgan Newton.

In the first half, it looked as if Cathedral junior quarterback Kofi Hughes would steal the spotlight.

The Class 5A No. 1 Greyhounds, led by Newton, rebounded to score the game's final three touchdowns and top 4A No. 1 Cathedral 28-21 in a season opener before an estimated crowd of 8,000.

"They made some big plays in the first half, but in the end we made more plays," Newton said.

Hughes, in his varsity debut, threw a 33-yard touchdown pass and ran 68 yards for another score to help Cathedral grab a 21-7 lead in the first half. Newton tossed a 4-yard touchdown pass to narrow the deficit to 21-14 at halftime.

Newton scored on a 2-yard touchdown run, and a Zach Broadbent kick tied the score with 11:24 left in the fourth quarter. Newton followed that by scoring from 18 yards out with 5:40 left, giving the Greyhounds a 27-21 lead. Ryan Rhoades' kick made it 28-21.

Newton, who announced Thursday he plans to play for Kentucky next season, completed 16-of-21 passes for 194 yards and ran for 89 yards on 20 carries.

Continued...