Newton, Pearce have Pirates hoping for another title run
Moapa Valley football coach Brent Lewis has a tough decision in labeling Matt Newton a running back or a wide receiver.
“It’s kind of hard to say,” Lewis said. “Game to game, we put him where we think he’ll be the biggest threat for us.”
And Newton has been quite the threat so far.
Through five games, the senior leads the Pirates (2-3) in rushing (496 yards, seven touchdowns on 70 carries) and receiving (17 receptions, 335 yards, two TDs).
“I like that,” Newton said of playing both positions. “It gives me another look at different spots and another look at getting the ball.”
Newton also has recorded 11 tackles and one interception while playing cornerback. He also can manage on special teams, as a kick and punt returner and kicking extra points.
The 6-foot, 175-pound Newton has emerged as a big-play replacement for Brad Weiss, who graduated after rushing for 1,815 yards on his way to Class 3A Most Valuable Player honors last season.
If the Pirates are to win a third straight 3A state title, it will start with Newton.
“He’s our go-to guy,” Lewis said. “We try to move him around a bit from receiver to the slot, move him to tailback. We try to get him the ball as many times as we can.
“He’s a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Teams key on him. We’ve got to find creative ways to get him the ball.”
Newton was Moapa Valley’s leading receiver as a junior, catching 31 passes for 676 yards and 11 TDs.
But his role has expanded this season, and he doesn’t mind the heavier workload.
“I need to make plays for my team,” he said. “If the team’s going to get me the ball, I’m going to do the best I can to score.”
Newton said his carries might decrease with the recent return of fullback Jake Pearce to the lineup.
Pearce, also a star linebacker for the Pirates, missed the first two games of the season serving what Lewis called a suspension for violating team rules.
In three games back, Pearce has carried 19 times for 105 yards and three TDs. More importantly, he leads Moapa Valley with 12 tackles per game.
“He’s our confidence factor,” Lewis said of Pearce, who is drawing recruiting interest from Northern Arizona, North Dakota State and Southern Utah. “The first two games without him was like playing with a hole out on the field.
“He came back and just gave us a swagger. He’s a hitter and intimidator; it did nothing but helped our confidence.”
Moapa Valley has a bye this week before visiting Foothill on Oct. 9. The Pirates opened a four-game road stretch with a 39-7 win at Rancho on Friday.
Though Moapa Valley’s ultimate focus will be on league play beginning at Boulder City on Oct. 16, Lewis said consecutive games against 4A Sunrise Region playoff teams Rancho and Foothill have become a proving ground for his team.
“There is a respect factor,” he said. “We’re trying to treat it like another game, but we feel like 4A doesn’t give 3A a lot of respect.”
Newton, who has received recruiting interest from Southern Utah, hopes competing against larger schools will boost the Pirates’ confidence heading into league play.
“We’re trying to get ready for league,” he said. “We’ve got some good teams to get ready for, and we can go in (to league) with some confidence.”
