Newberry High School Loses State Semifinals In OT

The Newberry High School Panthers were defeated at home by the top ranked and undefeated Trenton High School Tigers 36-35 in overtime in the Class 1A state semifinals Friday night.  Trenton moves on to play for the state championship on December 7th.

The teams kept a tight scoreboard the entire game.  They had tied scores after each quarter.  Newberry head coach Chris Baker was proud of how hard his team fought.

In the first quarter, both Newberry and Trenton scored rushing touchdowns to keep the score tied.  Senior running back Ra’kheem Hoyt showed his athleticism in the second quarter with an 83 yard rushing touchdown bring Newberry up 14-7.  Trenton came back with another rushing touchdown to bring the score 14-14 at halftime.  With seven minutes to go in the third quarter, Trenton’s freshman wide receiver Hamp Cheevers scored a defensive touchdown putting the Tigers up 21-14.  Newberry’s Hoyt came back with a 35 yard touchdown run to keep the score tied again.

In the fourth quarter, both teams scored rushing touchdowns holding the score 28-28.  In the final seconds of the game, Newberry’s senior quarterback Brandon Herbert threw a 15 yard pass to Hoyt who took it in for the touchdown, only to get called back for a offensive pass interference call.  Then Newberry scored in overtime but Trenton did also and made a two point conversion to end the game. 

Newberry head coach Chris Baker looks to the future.

He also hopes they can land senior running back Ra’kheem Hoyt a spot at the next level.

The call at the end of the game sparked the tempers of all Newberry’s coaches, players, and fans.  Baker says he’s ready to watch the film.

Trenton High School will play Northview in the state championship Friday, December 7th.