WESSON — Stone Stadium was the site for this 2A state playoffopening round matchup Friday night as Wesson’s Cobras whipped theNewton Tigers 42-8.

Wesson head coach Tommy Clopton said, “We made the big plays in thesecond quarter to put the game out of reach. We’re happy to havewon this game and move on into the second round.”

This week Wesson travels to defending state champion Bassfield forthe next round of playoffs

After a failed onside kickoff by Newton was recovered by PaxtonCupit, the Cobras went to work. Three plays later seniorquarterback Matt Smith took the ball in from 42 yards out for thefirst score of the night. Wesson led 6-0 with 9:48 left in thequarter.

Newton answered with a 74-yard scoring drive. Dekarian Beasley’s3-yard touchdown pass to Chris Turner. The two point run was goodby Darkenius Bender and Newton led 8-6 with 5:44 left in thequarter.

A deep pass from Smith to D.J. Coleman set the ball at Newton’s 11yard line. Smith would score four plays later from 2 yards out. The2-point conversion run was good by Steven Jones and Wesson led 14-8with 9:48 left in the second quarter.

It would then only take Wesson five plays to 76 yards as GageWilson rumbled into the end zone for a touchdown. The 2-pointconversion pass from Smith to Cupit was good and Wesson led 22-8with 6:00 left in the half.

Newton tried a reverse to Bender but would be stopped in the endzone by Payton Cupit for a safety. Wesson led 24-8 with 1:38 leftin the half.

Newton kicked the ball off and Wesson went 64 yards to paydirt intwo plays. Smith found Coleman for a 35-yard score. The two pointconversion was no good and Wesson led 30-8 at the half.

In the third quarter, a Newton fumble was recovered by linebackerBarron Miller on Wesson’s own 8-yard line. Later, Jones took theball to paydirt on the first play for a 47 yard touchdown. Wessonled 36-8.

Wesson’s Morgan Robinson forced a fumble and it was recovered byGage Wilson on Newton’s 31 yard line. Smith would score two playslater for the final TD of the night. Wesson led 42-8 entering thefourth quarter.

Wesson was led offensively by Smith with 12 rushes for 93 yards and3 touchdowns. He also was 4 for 6 for 98 yards and a score throughthe air.

Jones had 15 carries for 95 yards and a score. Kyle Cross had 4carries for 78 yards and Gage Wilson had 6 carries for 29 yards anda touchdown.

Defensively, Derrick Lyles had 14 tackles for the Cobras. MorganRobinson 10 tackles and Payton Cupit 9. Paxton Cupit and BarronMiller had 8 tackles apiece. Matt Smith and Jacob Fischer both hadan interception.