Shawn Newsome (35) stretches out to block a Findlay extra point Friday night.
FREMONT — Through the first half Friday night, the Ross football team managed just 34 rushing yards and the offense, as it had throughout the first three weeks, sputtered.
Starting on the Little Giants’ first place of the second half, Ross began handing the ball to Shawn Newsome and suddenly proceeded to run the ball consistently and the passing game opened up.
Coincidence? Or, in the midst of its 55-49 triple overtime loss to Findlay, did the Little Giants find themselves a new feature running back?
It certainly wasn’t a coincidence.
“I think Shawn Newsome sparked us in the second half running the ball,” coach Chad Long said. “He gave us some good running and that was the he spark that got us going on the offensive side.”
Newsome’s first two carries in the third quarter went for gains of 22 and 21 yards. With Findlay’s attention on the Little Giants’ new weapon in the backfield, Ross hit the Trojans with a 29-yard touchdown pass from Hayden Lehmann to Roger Burling. For the first time this season, Ross’ run game opened up the pass.
Ross senior Shawn Newsome reacts after the Little Giants 55-49 triple overtime loss to Findlay Friday. RSR/Tony Zimmerman
“Coach told me just run hard, so that’s what I did,” Newsome said. “I saw the holes and I took them.”
Newsome, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound senior, was an all-Ohio special mention at defensive end a season ago. He remains a major force in Ross’ defensive front seven, but his combination of size, speed and power is making him a unique offensive weapon.
Newsome totaled 74 yards on 11 carries with a touchdown Friday while also catching three passes for 42 yards and another touchdown.
“We couldn’t tackle him,” said Findlay coach Mark Ritzler. “We gave up a lot of yards after contact.”
In Ross’ season-opener Newsome took a swing pass from Lehmann and took off down the sideline for a 60-yard touchdown, flashing the offensive potential he possessed.
Long said Ross will continue to use Newsome on offense this week when the Little Giants travel to St. John’s, but Newsome’s snaps will be managed, making sure not to tire him from his day job on the defensive side of the ball.
Shawn Newsome
“He’s going to be in about the same amount he was for Findlay,” Long said. “He’s very valuable to us, we’ll shift him around, he’ll play some Y (receiver) and also some running back. But, ultimately, we need to use him on defense. And we’re afraid of him taking too much of a pounding completely on offense.”
The affect Newsome had on the Little Giant offense was not lost on his teammates.
“When Shawn Newsome came in at running back, (Findlay) started respecting (the run) more,” Lehmann said. “They might have been playing tighter down to make sure he didn’t break any big plays. That’s when all the deep balls open up.”
The question, however, remains. Should Newsome be referred from now on as defensive end/running back or as a running back/defensive end? For his part, Newsome isn’t forgetting where his heart is.
“Defensive end/running back,” he said. “Defensive end is still more important.”