Cedar Creek’s Zach Newman let his play on the field do the talking during brilliant athletic career

By GIUSEPPE UNGARO Managing Editor Quiet confidence. That is what Zach Newman has brought to Cedar Creek High School athletics ever since his freshman year. As a senior, he spoke up a little more, but he mostly let his play do the talking. The Pirates senior played four years of football and baseball and three years of basketball. Soon he will graduate, leaving with an impressive resume, and leaving behind a lasting legacy. “He is very quiet, but an unbelievably hard worker,” Cedar Creek baseball coach Mike Isgo said. “He works his tail off whether it’s in the classroom or on the field. He’s a great student and he is a great role model for the younger kids in our program. He is always working hard and he is a great competitor. And he is very respectful. “You know what you are going to get from him every day. He never dogged it. Hurt, sore, tired, whatever, he was going to give you 110 percent and do whatever it takes to help the team win, and do what is best for the team.” Senior Zach Newman had an outstanding athletic career at Cedar Creek, finishing with more than 100 hits in baseball and as one of the top defensive backs in the Cape-Atlantic League in football. (Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan) “He is a fierce competitor, but very quiet,” Pirates football coach Tim Watson said. “I called him a silent assassin. He is not a rah-rah guy, but you know he is going to bring it. You can always count on Zach to be ready to go, do his job and do it well.” That job this school year included being a standout cornerback for the football team, and the centerfielder and No. 3 hitter on the diamond in the spring. Although Newman made some spectacular plays, it’s his consistency that meant the most to the Pirates. He is a solid hitter, something he showed even as freshman and continued all the way through this season. By his own admission he had an off year this season, but his off year would be a career year for many high school athletes. Newman batted around the .350 mark and is almost a .400 hitter for his career. In a game in May, Newman recorded his 100th career hit. “It was very relieving once I got my 100th hit,” Newman said. “There was a lot of anticipation, knowing I could get my 100th hit.” Despite being a standout batter, Newman enjoys playing defense even more. “I love knowing that anytime a ball is hit my way I can lay out for the ball or make a game-saving catch.” Newman’s preference for defense may be a carry over from his time on the gridiron. Although not very big by football standards, he has a nose for the football and was a key component for the Pirates’ defense. “We try to play tough football, hard-nosed defense, and Zach was one you always knew would live up to that,” Watson said. “He was one of the most physical cornerbacks in the league, especially when it came to coming up and setting the edge. We are going to miss him.” After Newman graduates and enjoys the summer, he will move on to LaSalle University in Philadelphia, where he plans on trying to make the baseball team as a walk-on. He chose LaSalle because of its business programs. He said he wants to major in finance or accounting. At Cedar Creek, Newman was just as consistent in the classroom as he was on the playing fields. “He is an athlete, but at the same time, he is great student,” Isgro said. “He is on the honor roll. He is just a great kid.” He has wrapped up his final athletic season, and there is little doubt how much of an impact Newman made at Cedar Creek. However, Newman credits the school for leaving a lasting impression on him. “Cedar Creek has meant everything to me,” he said. “All my teachers and coaches have been great to be around. The atmosphere of the school is the best around. There is nothing better than Cedar Creek.”