Newton's McCray finds running room.

The Eastside Eagles (3-0 overall, 0-0 Region-8-AAA) and the Newton Rams (1-2 overall, 0-0 Region-2-AAAAA) locked horns in a county rival battle that took two overtime sessions to decide the outcome with Eastside getting by to come away with a 29-21 victory to remain undefeated in 2008.

The county clash went down to the wire with the Rams’ defense denying the Eagles’ offense access to the end zone on their final stand.

Although Eastside came out the victor, Newton gave them all they could handle with Ram quarterback Demetrius McCray running through the Ram defense for most of the game.

Wray had company on the ground with Git Aikin and Broderick Alexander contributing with all three finding the end zone at some point in the game.

Newton had their share of ground pounding as well getting stellar performances from quarterback Demetrius McCray who ran through and around a tough Eagle defense led by Zack Johnston. Akeem Hunt had a good night running the ball for the Rams.

Down 21-6 at the half, the Rams made some adjustments on defense to turn things around in the second half.

Hunt in the hole.

Newton took the opening drive of the second half and scored to increase their lead to 21-14 when Hunt intercepted a Wray pass getting a big return and the ball ended up at the Eastside 32 after an Eastside 15-yard face mask penalty. D.J. Hill capped off the drive on an 18-yard touchdown run.

The Rams recovered an Eastside fumble and got the ball at their own 26 with a minute left in the third period.

The Rams’ offense took up the entire fourth period going on a 23 play, 74-yard scoring drive capped off by Hunt going in the end zone from five yards out.

With 1.3 seconds left in regulation before place kicker Cody Sandler tacked on the extra point and the game went into it’s first overtime.

Both teams scored in the first overtime, but Eastside prevailed in the last overtime with Wray taking the ball across the goal line to end the game.