NEWCASTLE — Newcastle senior running back Ben Rogers rushed for three touchdowns and caught a pass for another score in the 5A Racers’ 42-6 win over Putnam City North Friday (Sept. 18).
Rogers rushed for 171 yards in the win. Newcastle junior quarterback Duke Berchtold threw for 148 yards on 12 of 20 attempts and three scores.
North struggled offensively with only 39 rushing yards. The Panthers were stopped on third down 12 times in the loss.
The Panthers avoided the shutout early in the fourth quarter. Junior quarterback Owen McMahan found junior tight end Jaden Cherry over the top middle for a 9-yard score.
The score capped off an 88-yard drive which lasted 5:31 from late in the third quarter and into the fourth period. North took advantage of key Newcastle penalties on the drive.
UP NEXT
The Panthers have a week off before opening 6A-II-1 play at rival Putnam City on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m.
The Pirates (0-3) open district play next week at Piedmont.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Putnam City North (0-4) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Newcastle (2-2) | 14 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 42 |
NEWCASTLE – Rogers 18 pass from Berchtold (Biggerstaff kick), 7:34, 1Q
NEWCASTLE – Rogers 31 run (Biggerstaff kick), 5:47, 1Q
NEWCASTLE – Rogers 13 run (Biggerstaff kick), 10:19, 2Q
NEWCASTLE – Rogers 62 run (Espinosa kick), 8:18, 2Q
NEWCASTLE – Housley 18 pass from Berchtold (Biggerstaff kick), 7:25, 3Q
NEWCASTLE – Housley 15 pass from Berchtold (Biggerstaff kick), 3:31, 3Q
PUTNAM CITY NORTH – Cherry 9 pass McMahon (kick failed), 10:21, 4Q
| Team | Dist | PCT | Dist Pts | Overall | PF | PA | Diff | STK | L5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choctaw | 0-0 | — | 0 | 2-2 | 101 | 75 | +26 | W2 | 2-2 |
| Lawton Eisenhower | 0-0 | — | 0 | 0-4 | 33 | 159 | -126 | L4 | 0-4 |
| Norman | 0-0 | — | 0 | 2-2 | 113 | 129 | -16 | W1 | 2-2 |
| Piedmont | 0-0 | — | 0 | 1-2 | 84 | 98 | -14 | L1 | 1-2 |
| Putnam City | 0-0 | — | 0 | 0-3 | 55 | 98 | -43 | L3 | 0-3 |
| Putnam City North | 0-0 | — | 0 | 0-4 | 70 | 187 | -117 | L4 | 0-4 |
| Putnam City West | 0-0 | — | 0 | 1-3 | 119 | 155 | -36 | L3 | 1-3 |
Updated September 18, 2026 at 11:00 PM
