LILBURN, Ga. — The Newton Rams decided to celebrate Halloween 10 days early with all the trick plays they dished out against Parkview. However, on a night that featured a savvy offensive showing, it was Newton's defense who made the play to give the Rams the treat of a 20-18 stunner win in the Big Orange Jungle Friday night. 

Trailing 20-12 with less than two minutes left and no timeouts, Parkview had the ball its own 11-yard line. A few plays later, the Panthers found the end zone for just the second time of the night off a 32-yard touchdown pass. "The Blue Swarm" may have bent, but it didn't break. 

On the ensuing two-point conversion and 5.5 seconds remaining, the Panthers ran a play action, roll out pass with the running back slipping out of the backfield. Jamarcus Presley was not fooled and stuffed the play at the three-yard line. 

Presley's tackle preserved Newton's first Region 4-AAAAAAA win of the season. 

Head coach Camiel Grant Jr., explained how watching game film prepared his defense for the pivotal stop. 

"We knew all week that we had to cover the [running] back in the passing game, because they slip him out a lot," Grant said. "Brookwood did that a lot, too, so it feels like we've been practicing that for a month. We didn't know that particular play was coming, but we knew the back would be heavily involved so we always had someone responsible for him." 

Friday's result marks the second straight victory for Newton over Parkview. In fact, the Rams' last Region 4-AAAAAAA win came against Parkview when Newton had a 27-24 triumph at Homer Sharp Stadium on Oct. 2, 2021.

For this win, it was Marcus Calwise getting the party started. With 2:01 remaining in the first quarter, he took a bubble screen pass from quarterback Deron Benson and appeared ready to run. All of sudden, he geared up for a pass and found Gabriel Williams all alone for a 61-yard touchdown reception. 

The Rams weren't finished dealing tricks. 

On second and goal at the four-yard line almost at halftime, Deion Lewis took the snap and handed the ball to Calwise. Again, the junior wideout played quarterback and found Lewis who snuck out of the backfield for a touchdown. 

Lewis’ touchdown reception extended Newton's lead to 13-3 at halftime. 

Calling trick plays was expected by Grant and his staff. 

"Since coach [Lee] Brown has been here, we've worked the second trick play all the time," Grant said. "We've never been in a place to call it up to this point. Maybe because it's October is why we called it." 

Newton's final score came right after halftime. Zion Johnson was the beneficiary of the Rams' offensive line parting the Panthers' defense like the Red Sea. Johnson had a clear path to the end zone for a 72-yard score. 

While Newton's offense had a full bag of tricks, "The Blue Swarm" was busy getting timely defensive stops. 

Numerous times, the Rams' defense bent but very seldom did it break. 

Two times, they surrendered 33 and 27-yard field goals. But one of the most timely stops came on a fourth and goal from the 1-yard line. A swarm of Newton defenders swarmed Parkview's scoring attempt and didn't allow a single yard. 

The only other touchdown Parkview scored came less than two minutes into the fourth quarter when the Panthers pounded it in from two yards out. But they missed the extra point — a miss that ultimately decided Friday's outcome. 

Now, with the win, Newton (4-4, 1-2) ends a four-game losing skid as it heads to Snellville next week to face the South Gwinnett Comets (4-3, 0-2). 

Grant hopes the Rams' win will have a momentum shift as they eye a playoff return. In fact, he believes the shift started a week ago against Brookwood.

"There was a rebirth for kids in the second half of that Brookwood game," Grant said. "They're learning how to just play in the moment and be focused mentality. I don't think it's ever been physical with us in competing, it's been, 'Can we stay locked in and focused?'

"It's late in the season, but I think we're finally starting to gel."