NEWPORT- The Tigers hosted Campbell on Saturday afternoon, and in a game that got out of hand quickly, the visiting Cougars walked away victorious, 46-12.
Campbell led 40-0 after the first half and were able to rest some of their key players in the second half during running time.
Newport got on the board in the third quarter on an impressive drive that featured four first downs and a 30-yard touchdown pass from Austin Malool to Joey Ackerman. Their next score came in the opening minutes of the fourth and was the most exciting play of the day for the Tigers. Jagger Lovely took the handoff from Malool and darted up the middle of the Cougars’ defense for 25 yards before fumbling at the Cougars’ 40 yard-line. Fortunately for Newport, Ackerman was in the right place at the right time. The hustle following the play paid off, as Ackerman scooped the ball up and ran it 40 yards to the house and provided the hometown crowd with some sense of relief.
Jagger Lovely stood out for the Tigers on Saturday, especially his play in the second half. In the game, Lovely ran the ball 17 times for 121 yards on the ground. “The kid can run,” said Newport head coach Dennis Borcuk. “He’s a good fit and it’s good to see him execute.”
At quarterback for the Tigers, Ackerman played the first half and Malool played the second half. “They both did their job,” said coach Borcuk. “They hung in there and really made some good plays.”
Ackerman threw 10 for 14 for 61 yards and 1 INT. Ackerman scored both TDs for the Tigers, on the 40-yard scoop and score and the 30 yard TD pass from Malool. Malool threw 1 for 3 with that one 30-yard TD connection. In the air, Newport wide receiver Bryce Willey caught seven passes for 28 yards.
Another bright spot for Newport was the play of cornerback J.T. Blaine. On a third and one deep in Tiger territory, Blaine made a nice read on a designed screen pass and was able to jump in front to pick it off. It was a big play that the Tigers desperately needed. On Blaine, coach Borcuk said, “He’s been playing everywhere for us. For a first-year guy, he has definitely shined and had some bright spots. He’s willing to learn, too, which is good.”
Coach Borcuk is all business and he’s ready to move on from this game and learn from it. His mind is on the game this Saturday at Hillsboro-Deering-Hopkinton. “I’ve watched the film a couple times already,” he said. “We will look to improve on making corrections. I’m already looking at our next game. Practices have been good and the energy is high.”
Newport is 0-3 on the year after losing to Lebanon on opening night and Stevens in week two. Their game at Hillsboro-Deering is scheduled for a 1p.m. kick-off Saturday. Campbell is now 3-0 in Division three, outscoring their first three opponents by a score of 128- 24. They travel to Laconia Friday night.
CAMPBELL’S SCORING SATURDAY
Q1 10:48 Keaghan Mills nine yard touchdown run. Two-point conversion failed. 6-0.
Q1 10:06 Jacob Kidwell returns fumble for touchdown. 13-0.
Q1 8:32 Keaghan Mills 56 yard touchdown run. 20-0.
Q1 4:15 Keaghan Mills 55 yard touchdown run. 27-0.
Q2 7:50 Adam Bretton one yard touchdown run. 34-0.
Q2 0:07 Keaghan Mills 34 yard touchdown run. XP missed. 40-0.
Q3 11:50 Cam Barrett 52 yard touchdown run. 46-0.
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