After a rough end to the 2024 season, Newburgh Free Academy’s football team returned to the field on Saturday with a convincing 53-7 non-league win over McQuaid in Syracuse.

Quarterback Jaiseon Barnwell completed 12-of-17 passes for 213 yards with five touchdowns for the Goldbacks, one of the favorites in Section 9 Class AA this season. Barnwell threw two touchdown passes to Jayden Hines and one apiece to Jasir Davis, Jayron Underwood, and Nyier Johnson caught one apiece.

Timothy Patterson rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns for Newburgh (1-0). Freshman James Lilla recovered a fumble on a blocked punt for the Goldbacks, and Austin Lilla made six tackles.

Newburgh hosts Class A power Cornwall in a Section 9 showdown on Friday. Last season, the Goldbacks’ season was canceled before th

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