In a tense matchup between Newburgh and Middletown, Newburgh currently leads 21-0 at halftime, bolstered by three touchdown runs from Bruce Montgomery. The Goldbacks dominated the first quarter, but Middletown has shown improvement in the second quarter, despite struggling to score.

Newburgh's head coach, Belbianco, expressed frustration with his defense, calling a timeout with 5:51 remaining in the first half. This marked the second timeout for Newburgh, indicating a need to regroup as Middletown began to penetrate their territory.

Middletown's quarterback, Russo, attempted to rally his team, showcasing a mix of passing and running plays. A notable moment came when Russo nearly connected with Barbosa in the end zone, but the pass was almost intercepted due to double coverage. An encroachment penalty against Newburgh provided Middletown with a crucial five-yard advantage, bringing them closer to scoring.

As the clock wound down, Russo completed a remarkable one-handed catch to James Mays, advancing the ball to the Newburgh 8-yard line. However, Middletown faced challenges in executing plays inside the red zone, with their attempts thwarted by Newburgh's swift defense.

The halftime show will feature performances by the Middletown High School cheerleaders and marching band, alongside an introduction of local youth football programs, highlighting the community's growing engagement in the sport. As the teams head into the second half, Middletown will need to capitalize on their opportunities to close the gap against a strong Newburgh squad.