NEWPORT – It’s been a long haul for the 2018 Tigers football team, but on Saturday, they were finally able to rejoice after picking up their first victory in the final game of the season, 21-14 over Epping-Newmarket.
“It’s about time,” said Newport head coach Dennis Borcuk. “This was long overdue. I’m proud of the kids… it’s been a long season and they stuck with it.”
After starting 0-8, the buzz around Maryn Field was electric despite the freezing rain, as the Newport faithful were hoping for a win with the 1-7 Devils coming to town.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Tigers started off the second quarter with a bang. Marius Edwards picked off a pass and took it back 20 yards for the Newport touchdown. Edwards sank the extra point and the Tigers were up 7-0 with 11 minutes left in the first half. “That play was great,” said Borcuk. “The JV coaches have been raving about Marius all year, and we gave him a chance at outside linebacker and he came through in a big way.”
That 7-0 lead stood to the half. After a short halftime intermission in the heavy rain, the Devils took the momentum.
Noah Bilodeau took the second half opening kickoff back for a touchdown, and with a two-point conversion, Epping-Newmarket had an 8-7 advantage.
Epping-Newmarket continued to roll in the third quarter, as they scored again at the 3:44 mark on a 25-yard TD pass to Austin Thurlow. The two-point conversion failed and the Devils took a 14-7 lead. The drive was 51 yards and chewed up over eight minutes of the clock.
Still, after Newport had punted on their last four possessions and were facing a deficit, the Tigers didn’t panic. “Being down 8-7 and then 14-7… the kids were still positive,” said coach Borcuk.
The Tigers forced a punt on Epping-Newmarket’s next possession, and Bryce Willey had a 25-yard return down to the Devils’ 15 yard-line. Josh Sharron then picked up 11 yards on their first play of the drive to set up first and goal, and Sharron punched it in from two yards out two plays later. On the two-point conversion, quarterback Austin Malool rolled out to his right and found Cole McNamara who climbed up and high-pointed the ball over a defender. Newport led 15-14 with 3:36 left in the game.
Epping-Newmarket came right back with a 17 yard pass completion, but on their next play, Joe Ackerman came up with a big interception on deep ball and the Tigers took over at their own 32 with 2:50 remaining.
On a third and four at the 50 yard-line, Ackerman took a carry up the middle and exploded through the Devils’ defense for a 50-yard TD scamper. The two-point attempt failed and Newport had a 21-14 edge with 50 seconds left.
“Up 15-14 at midfield, we were just looking for a first down to run out the clock,” said Borcuk. “It was perfect to score the touchdown.”
Sharron picked off Epping-Newmarket’s first play on their final effort to score, and the Tigers kneeled to secure their lone-victory of 2018.
For Newport, Sharron carried the ball 15 times for 87 yards and 1 TD. Ackerman ran 12 times for 81 yards and 1 TD. On defense, Edwards, Ackerman, Sharron and J.T. Blaine all had interceptions. Blaine and McNamara each recovered a fumble for the Tigers.
Newport and Epping-Newmarket each finish the year with 1-8 records and failed to qualify for postseason play.
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