The Newburgh Free Academy Goldbacks came out and made a statement.

The defense was stifling, and the offense ran all over the Arlington Admirals in route to a 35-0 non-league football win on Friday night at Arlington High School.

“A lot of people said we were inexperienced,” defensive lineman Stephen Jones said. “A lot of people said we were young. I think we just proved the point. No matter how young you are, it just matters about your heart.”

The defense made the statement early on, forcing a three-and-out on the first drive.

That’s when the offense took over, marching about 60 yards on its first drive. The drive culminated in Bruce Montgomery’s 6-yard touchdown run.

“This was a statement game,” Montgomery said in his first game as the Goldbacks’ primary running back.

“We needed to show everyone what we’re really about.”

Montgomery kept it up on the next drive, ripping off a 64-yard run to the Admirals’ 2-yard line, setting up a touchdown run by Daijon Johnson to give the Goldbacks’ a 14-0 lead.

The Admirals managed some offense as quarterback Brandon Feldman started finding some success hitting Jayden Tuttle on quick slants over the middle. They got as far as the Newburgh 27, before Feldman’s fourth-down pass fell incomplete.

After two runs by Montgomery picked up 13 yards, Newburgh’s sophomore quarterback Jaiseon Barnwell handed off to Jayden Hines, who stopped and heaved a 60-yard touchdown pass to Jahsir Davis, giving the Goldbacks a 21-0 lead.

Three first quarter possessions resulted in three touchdowns.

“We knew what we had to do,” Montgomery said. “We messed up a little bit, but we’re going back to the drawing board and fix it up.”

The Goldbacks tacked on a second-quarter touchdown on a one-yard sneak by Barnwell. Montgomery carried the ball five times for 27 yards and gained about 30 yards on a screen pass from Barnwell.

“Bruce is very talented,” He didn’t start for us last year because we had Tajir (Walker), who was a two-year starter. But we knew as a staff, even though this was going to be his first time where he was going to be the guy, we knew what we’ve had the last couple of years. He just had to wait his turn to get an opportunity to show what he can do.”

The Goldbacks added their final touchdown with 7:02 left in the game when Barnwell threw a short pass to Davis, who took it the rest of the way for a 69-yard touchdown play.

“I was happy with the way the quarterback played,” Bianco said. “He missed a couple of shots, but it’s opening night. It’s the first game. We’re playing a good team. He’s a little timid at times, but I think he stood back there and ran the offense how I’d like.”

But in the end it was the defense that shined.

With the backups in late in the fourth quarter, the Admirals’ starting offense marched to the Newburgh 6-yard line. But they stiffened up and stuffed the Admirals to preserve the shutout.

“They proved a point, too,” Jones said. “We’ve got everything. We’ve got people.”