Newark Wildcats attack early against Licking Heights Hornets in 56-21 win

Photo by John Suchan

The Newark Wildcats got off to an impressive start against the host Licking Heights Hornets and eventually won 56-21. Newark took the opening offensive play to the house with an impressive play action backside screen from quarterback Bodie Smith to wide receiver Alex Irvin-Royster for 60 yards that opened the scoring. The Wildcats continued to put the foot to the pedal as they ran out to a 42-0 halftime lead.

Those scores included four more touchdown passes from Smith. Smith finished the night throwing for 241 passing yards. The Wildcats’ running back, Kolton Peterson, also got into the action early, catching a 24-yard touchdown pass and running one in from 34 yards out. 

In the second half, Licking Heights got a surge of energy early as they fired back with 21 unanswered points to cut the lead from the half at 42-21. 

Hornet’s QB J.J. Shackleford connected on two big pass plays, one to wide receiver Reggie Mack of 72 yards and another 35-yard pass to wide receiver Robert Talbert that set up another TD score by running back Ian Rice. 

Licking Heights then recovered a Newark fumble late in the 3rd quarter and scored on a stellar 22-yard pass play from Shackleford to wide receiver Al Fofana, who made a few moves down the sideline to scamper to paydirt.

At that point, the Wildcats inserted their core starters back in, like quarterback Smith and wide receiver Irven-Royster. The Newark wide receiver wasted no time in then running for a 65-yard touchdown to restore order to the Newark sidelines as they went up 49-21 early in the 4th quarter.

The victory for Newark sets them up nicely as they return home to face Mount Vernon next week in hopes of staying undefeated.

Licking Heights will hit the road next Friday as they will play Columbus Bishop Ready at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus.