In an unusual Thursday night football matchup, the Newburgh Goldbacks took an early lead against the Middletown Bears, scoring a touchdown on their opening drive. The game, held at Fowler due to Jewish holidays, saw a small crowd in attendance as Newburgh executed a strong offensive strategy.

Starting from the 44-yard line in Middletown territory, Newburgh's Bruce Montgomery showcased his running prowess, gaining significant yardage and ultimately scoring a 24-yard touchdown. The Goldbacks marched 66 yards down the field, with Montgomery's performance highlighted by a series of effective plays, including a 13-yard run that set the tone for the drive.

Quarterback Barnwell contributed to the drive with a 5-yard run, while the offensive line provided solid protection, allowing Montgomery to find gaps in the Middletown defense. The touchdown was capped off by a successful extra point from Chase Steiner, bringing the score to 7-0 with 8:41 remaining in the first quarter.

Montgomery's impressive season continued, following a standout performance in previous games where he accumulated over 200 yards rushing. The Goldbacks, having won their last two games, looked to maintain their momentum against the Bears, who now faced the challenge of responding to the early deficit. As the game progressed, all eyes were on Middletown to see how they would counter Newburgh's strong start.