Magwood’s Monster Night Sets the Tone as New Bern Rolls Past New Hanover, 48-9

NEW BERN, N.C. — If Week 1 was supposed to be a measuring stick, Coach Saxby's New Bern Bears just announced they are ready.

On Monday night at home, New Bern took down visiting New Hanover 48-9 behind a statement performance from senior running back Karvin “Duke” Magwood. The Bears jumped out 21-7 after one quarter, never let the Wildcats find their footing, and closed with 21 unanswered points in the fourth.

Magwood was everywhere. He carried 17 times for 264 yards and two rushing touchdowns, then added four catches for 34 yards and another score. Three touchdowns. Nearly 300 all-purpose yards. One opening-night reminder of why New Bern football still has teeth.

The supporting pieces were just as sharp. Sophomore quarterback Kymeir Tankson was efficient and dangerous, going 5-of-7 for 59 yards and two touchdowns, while Junior Caleb Morris completed 4 passes for 30 yards. Junior Rylan Copeland hauled in three passes for 43 yards and a score. Senior Ezekiel Best added another punch in the run game, and the Bears piled up 347 rushing yards as a team. New Hanover was limited to 32 yards on the ground.

We also can't forget the Scoop-6 Touchdown by Senior Carel Spence

What stood out most was the finish. A scoreless third quarter could have let the game drift. Instead, New Bern answered in the fourth the way championship programs do — with physical runs, timely throws, and no mercy once the door was open. Twenty-one points in the final frame turned a strong win into a statement.

This was more than a 48-9 final. It was a tone-setter. Magwood gave the Bears a star performance. Tankson and Copeland showed the offense has more than one way to score. The defense slammed the door after halftime.

New Bern is 1-0. Next up is a trip to Havelock on Friday night. If Monday was any indication, the Bears are not easing into this season. They are coming.