Today’s Four Questions interviewee is Newton coach Josh Skelton, whose team defeated then-No. 4 Douglas County 34-27 in overtime Saturday in a Class 7A game. Newton had lost to Douglas County each of the past two seasons. Skelton joined Newton’s staff in 2012 and was promoted from offensive coordinator in 2023. Newton has reached the second round of the playoffs the past two seasons.
1. The key play in the Douglas County game was a 20-yard touchdown pass on third-and-15 in the final minute to send the game into overtime. What was the play call?
“It was a wheel route, and Braylon Miller caught it in the back pylon from Josiah Frazier, our sophomore quarterback. Our players wanted to run that play. They felt like it was open. We gave them a chance to do what they wanted to do. Braylon Miller said trust me. When the best ATH in the state says believe in me and give me the ball, you give it to him.”
Note: ATH is an abbreviation used for a player who can play multiple positions or roles. Miller also is a safety, and he came up with the game-ending sack on fourth down in overtime.
2. Your most widely known player is running back Kevin Hartsfield, a junior 5-star recruit. But Miller was maybe the biggest standout performer in this game and lesser known. How would you describe Miller’s skill set?
“He’s an elite competitor. This guy hates to lose. He’s a team leader, the alpha male. He’s committed to Liberty, but he’s getting a lot of attention now. People are starting to see how good he is. He’s one of the best athletes and competitors I’ve ever coached, and he can literally play any position on the football field. He’s a playmaker and the guy we depend on.”
3. You had ups and downs in the Douglas County game, including missing the extra point that would’ve won the game in regulation. What did you say going into overtime to get the players refocused?
“We just got our guys on a knee and talked about being composed and making sure we make the next play. We told them it’s going to come down to execution.
“We have this thing we say: ‘You don’t have to be special to be special. You just have to play as a team.’ In the offseason, we studied African wild dogs and how they hunt as a pack. They have an 83% kill rate. They’re small, but they work together, and everyone knows their role. We want to be like those guys, working together and leaning on one another. We leaned on each other in this game.”
4. This is your fourth team as head coach. How does it compare to your previous three?
“From a roster standpoint, it’s the most talented we’ve had in all my time at Newton (including his 11 seasons as an assistant). I’ve had them for a long time. A lot of these guys I’ve had since they were fifth grade and fourth grade. We’ve been building for a long time. They have pride in how we play and pride in playing for alumni who set the table for this team. They talk about winning the region. They talk about winning a state championship. And they talk about leaving a legacy. Those are three things that are consistently coming out of their mouths.”
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