Playoffs in sight after Newport’s 14-6 win

By Christopher Shaban
Eagle Times Sports
NEWPORT — What was unthinkable two weeks ago is almost reality after Newport took another step toward a playoff berth after beating Laconia on Saturday 14-6.

With baby pictures of the seniors scattered along the fence at Maryn Field for Newport’s last home game, this team has grown into a group that believes in themselves.

“I knew this group had something special to give and today we saw determination and a winning attitude on the field,” said Newport head coach John Proper.

Laconia lost a total of 10 yards on its first possession thanks to a hungry Tiger defense, including a vicious sack by Tanner Proper. Newport took over on their 30-yard line looking to make a statement.

Josh Sharron was the weapon of choice for Newport, as he blasted his way for chunks of yardage behind a determined offensive line. With Laconia now keying on Sharron and the runs in the middle, it was a Marius Edwards run around the left edge good for 20 yards and a touchdown that give the Tigers a lead. Edwards tacked on the extra point kick to make it 7-0.

After another Newport defensive stand, it was Chase Hamilton and Jagger Lovely’s turn at grinding out some yards on the ground as Newport was moving the ball again until a fumble gave the ball right back to Laconia. The Sachems took advantage of that turnover as Aarohn Dethvongsa blasted down the right sidelines for a 31-yard touchdown but Laconia missed the extra point. Newport held onto a slim 7-6 lead into halftime.

With Newport’s defense making some bone crunching tackles, including Makai Matherson’s sack and Josh Orlowski’s 4-yard tackle for a loss, the 7-6 score held up heading into the fourth quarter with Newport in possession and driving.

Newport was staring at the end zone and moving the ball behind the running of Sharon, but another Tiger fumble gave the visitors the ball back. In two plays, Laconia covered 50 yards and were deep in Newport territory when the Tiger defensive line stiffened and denied a fourth down run, giving the ball back to Newport.

“That stop was so big for us. It turned all the momentum right back in our favor,” said coach Proper after the game.

Sharron’s 30-yard run plus a helmet-to-helmet hit put Newport deep in Laconia territory but Edwards was stopped on a fourth down and 1, giving the ball back to Laconia with 3:25 left on the clock on the Newport 12-yard line. Ryan Dee dropped back to pass but a deflection ended up in the hands of Newport’s Darshawn Chesser, giving Newport the ball back at the Laconia 13-yard line.

Newport called timeout and when the ball was snapped, Edwards dropped back and saw Tanner Proper all alone.

“During the timeout, the kids said let’s try this and I said to go for it, so we called a 26 blast pass and I couldn’t believe how open Tanner was,” said coach Proper.

Edwards’ pass was perfect and Tanner Proper had the touchdown catch to put Newport ahead 14-6 — his first points ever in a football game.

“I’ve been playing football since the fourth grade and I had never scored a point in my life until today and the feeling is just incredible,” said Proper, who admitted to being a bit nervous. “It seemed like forever until the ball got to me. I had time to think and I said to myself, just catch it.”

There were some more nervous moments left in the game as Dee connected with a leaping Jaekwon Silva for a 34-yard completion, giving Laconia a 1st and goal at the 5-yard line with barely a minute left in the game. After three tries at a score, it was the last play for Laconia and when Dee dropped back to pass, the Tigers’ Sharron exploded through the “B” gap untouched for a clear shot at Dee for a sack that ended the game in dramatic fashion.

“I couldn’t believe what I saw when we lined up. There was an opening and I busted clean through for the sack,” said Sharon.

Sharon ended the day with 96 rushing yards on 17 carries plus one huge sack.

Newport improves to 3-5 and will head to Epping-Newmarket (1-6) next Saturday.