We all know, it’s been said over and over. Armwood keeps a stable of horses. In recent years, Ryne Giddins, Petey Smith, Eric Smith, Cody Waldrop and Leon McQuay have grabbed headlines for the championship program located in Seffner. 2014 RB Greg Newton is not a headliner. He is not a big name in the area. He does not have college coaches banging down the door to see him. However, he is highly motived, highly skilled and ready to earn his ink.
Two years ago, Armwood won the 2011 FHSAA 6A championship on the field. An undefeated season beating teams like Bishop Gorman (NV), Plant, Tampa Bay Tech., Hillsborough, Gainesville and ultimately Miami Central for the title. During this state championship run, Matt Jones and Wade Edwards were the primary ball carriers. Newton was the 4th leading rusher on that championship team. Ended the season with 234 yards and 3 TDs. Had a breakout game versus Brandon after a 124 yard, 2 TD performance. He has waited his time. What does he want to prove?
You have waited your turn, what are you trying to prove this season?
GN: Well playing behind Matt Jones and Wade Edwards my sophomore year, was a big learning experience for me, it gave me an opportunity to become familiar with the offense and mature as a football player before it was my time to become the starting back. So now this season, I want to prove that I have the skill, heart, and mindset to be the feature back and lead my team back to another state championship.
The Hawks were stripped of their 2011 title and forced to forfeit their 2011 wins and the majority of the 2010 season wins due to ineligible players playing in season contest. Newton was one of those players ruled to be ineligible because of residence issues and required to sit the 2012 football season. How did that effect the rising senior RB?
What did missing games last season show you?
GN: Sitting out last year showed me that I am a valuable player to my team. it also showed me that I really have a passion for the game of football. I say this because it cut me up on the inside every Friday night to know that I couldn’t suit up and there was nothing I could do about it. It also showed me that I should take advantage of this opportunity to play football because it can be taken away from you at any moment.
In 2011, Armwood rushed for 3068 yards and 44 TDs according to Maxpreps. In 2012, Armwood rushed for 1717 yards and 16 TDs according to Maxpreps. The Hawks rush attacked dropped 1351 yards from 2011 to 2012 with leading rusher in 2012 Caylan Holloway accounting for 474 yards and 4 TDs. Could Newton have made a big impact? We will never know. But, the sideline is no place for a competitor.
What did you learn from the sideline?
GN: From being on the sideline, I learned that team support plays a big role in being successful on the football field. There were many times when the team would be down and facing adversity and I would try my best to lift their spirits back up and just let them know that even though I’m not on the field, I would still ride with my team until the end. Due to my absence on the field I had to become a motivator and that was my role.
What did you change in your work ethic to be a force this year?
GN: This year I had enter the off season and spring with the mindset that I have to work ten times longer and harder than the next man because I missed out on my junior year. I had to realize that this is going to be “it” right here, my senior year is all I have left to prove myself on the field. Also being that I am considered an “undersized” back, I have to make sure that my speed,strength, and agility are what I need to work on and improve on. I have to work like there’s a big chip on my shoulder and not become discouraged about offers or people doubting that I can rise to this challenge.
A good running back has to show balance, footwork, vision, skill, hands and toughness. Newton can do some of all of this. He is a good player, who just needs his time to shine. He want’s to build on the momentum from his 2011 season.
What was your best game of high school career?
GN: The best game of my high school was the kickoff classic game against Las Vegas Bishop Gorman my sophomore year. Due to Matt Jones knee injury, I had to step into a big role and compete in our biggest game of the year as a sophomore. It was crazy, I had never been that nervous in my whole lifetime. It was my very first game playing for Armwood, it was against the number ten team in the nation, and it was broad-casted on national TV (ESPN). My first carry was a halfback direct on the second play of the game and I got swarmed by about five defensive players at the line of scrimmage. But that next series, I was split out wide in the slot and our QB connected with alvin Bailey on five yard hitch route and I sealed two key blocks on the corner and safety to spring him free for a sixty yard touchdown to take the lead. After that play, I then had a lot of confidence in myself and I helped lead my team to victory on a national stage.
Just like the majority of the prospects around the nations, Showcases and combines have really helped with exposure. Provides high school athletes (football players) the opportunity to increase their media and recruiting exposure by partaking in several agility drills, football position skill work and 1 on 1s. Showcases and combines allow evaluators and other invited media, the opportunity to observe how well players can change directions, stop, start and accelerate, use their hands, work their feet, swivel the hips, dominate the man across from them. Newton is a 2012 BHSN/BCP Ignite Elite Showcase participant. Just like many of the talented prospects in our coverage area, Ignite and E7 allow for unknowns the opportunity to be a big surprise.
Why will you be a surprise player this season?
GN: What will make me a surprise talent this upcoming season is that I am HUNGRY! Now its time to eat! Sitting out an entire season just gave me the drive not to be good, but be GREAT this season. I feel that because I ‘ve been missing for one year, I have to prove to everyone that it didn’t stop my grind. I plan on putting this team on my back and making sure that we are playing in Orlando come December! It was a minor set back for a major comeback and please believe that I am coming back TEN TIMES better than I was before! Don’t believe me, JUST WATCH!