Powered by two first-quarter Domenic Busa touchdowns, Newton North held off a late rally to defeat Newton South 20-14 on Friday night at Dickinson Stadium, lifting the Garden City Bowl trophy for the second consecutive year.

Busa’s 8-yard touchdown run capped the Tigers’ opening drive of the game, sending up a massive cheer from North cheering section. When he added a 1-yard plunge later in the quarter, it looked like North was going to roll to an easy victory over their crosstown rivals.

But the Lions’ defense eventually found their footing, and after a scoreless second quarter, the teams went into halftime with North leading 13-0.

The Lions clawed back in the fourth, giving up on the run game in favor of looking for passing lanes down the field. The strategy paid off as quarterback Darren Bonnet threw two scores to close the gap to 20-14, the final one an 18-yard strike to Jahyden Alves- Armstrong with less than two minutes to play.

The Lions tried to complete their improbable comeback with an on-side kick, but when North’s Nico Atwood secured the ball, the result was sealed.

Tigers head coach Nick Capodilupo identified his team’s situational awareness as being key to the victory. In addition to fielding the on-side kick in the fourth quarter, the Tigers also forced a turnover in the third quarter as the Lions were just yards from the
endzone.

“I’m just happy for our kids. It means a lot to them,” said Capodilupo. “It feels good to be in a situation where the kids believe in something and they play hard. It wasn’t easy; South gave us everything we could handle.”

Busa, who racked up 122 receiving yards to go with his 80 rushing yards, gave credit to the offensive line after the victory.

“A running back can’t be a running back without the big guys up front,” he said. “So I just have to give the credit to them. I’m going to do my job if they give me the holes, and that’s really it.”

After the final whistle sounded, Tiger players hoisted the Garden City Bowl trophy aloft before running towards the student section to celebrate. With the win, the Tigers improved to 2-0 on the season. The loss dropped South to 0-2.

MORE IMAGES

Newton South students cheer for their team in the Garden City Bowl. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Connor Swanson (2) drops back to pass. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Newton North players run onto the field ahead of the Garden City Bowl on September 18, 2026. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

North’s Dominic Busa (22) is taken down by South’s Emmett Shrier (1), Kani Parker (4), and Jeremiah Balkum (7). (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

The Newton North cheer team performs at halftime. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Cole Fontecchio (55) wraps up Newton South quarterback Darren Bonnet (8). (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Newton North head coach Nick Capodilupo watches from the sidelines. “It feels good to be in a situation where the kids believe in something and they play hard,” he said. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Aidan Farnese (12) runs down the field in the third quarter. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Darren Bonnet (8) launches a throw in the first half. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Nico Atwood (5) secures an on-side kick to seal North’s victory. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

The Newton North football team defeated Newton South 20-14 in the Garden City Bowl on September 18, 2026. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon