High school football highlights: Newman, Arch Manning finish regular season 8-0 to earn No. 1 seed in playoffs

The nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning throws for 229 yards to help Greenies complete fifth unbeaten regular season in school history.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Mitch Stephens
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Nov 22, 2020, 1:11pm
As regular season-ending wins go, it was just about perfect — just like their record. Arch Manning didn't have to do much Friday as the Newman (New Orleans, La.) Greenies head into the playoffs undefeated following a 31-8 win at South Plaquemines (Buras, La.).

According to Nola.com, the nephew of Super Bowl winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning completed 23 of 36 passes for 229 yards and one touchdown as his team improved to 8-0 to secure the top Division III seed in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association playoffs. It was the program's fifth unbeaten regular season in school history.

With the No. 1 seed, the Greenies earned a first-round bye and will open the postseason Nov. 4-5 against the winner of Holy Savior Menard (Alexandria, La.) versus Catholic - N.I. (New Iberia, La.). They'll need just two wins to reach their first state championship game and three victories to win it all.

Joseph Pleasant rushed 14 times for 87 yards and two touchdowns Friday and Sterling Scott added 42 yards rushing and a score for Newman, which was coming off a 76-0 win over Cohen (New Orleans). 

In that game, Manning threw five touchdown passes in just one quarter, but Friday he went the distance. The nation's top-rated sophomore quarterback according to 247Sports, threw three interceptions, but he fired an 11-yard TD strike to Pike Philibert to give Newman a 21-0 halftime lead.

The MaxPreps Freshman of the Year finished the season 117 of 163 (72 percent) for 1,643 yards and 19 touchdowns against seven interceptions. He also rushed for 229 yards and a team-high eight touchdowns.

The Greenies were in complete command thanks to a rugged defense and strong running game. Kearney Nieset added four extra points and a 27-yard field goal. Newman also avoided any major injuries.

South Plaquemines (4-3) moved the ball effectively between the 20s, but couldn't cash in except for a 58-yard touchdown pass from Taighan Jones to Dontavius Johnson in the third quarter.
Arch Manning threw for 229 yards, one touchdown but three interceptions in a regular season-ending victory on Friday night.
Arch Manning threw for 229 yards, one touchdown but three interceptions in a regular season-ending victory on Friday night.
File photo by Parker Waters

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