By Christopher Shaban
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
NEWPORT — A battle of 3-1 teams on Saturday turned lopsided early as Tyler Gobin and Kyle Ashley combined for 350 yards rushing for Newport as they manhandled Bishop Brady on Saturday, 36-13. “This is when we decide how good we want to be. Today this team really showed how much they want to win,” said Tigers Head Coach John Proper.
Homecoming is always special in the Sunshine town as the community really gets involved. It starts with a parade in the morning, then by the time it’s football, things really take off. A flyby, cheerleaders, the Tigers marching band, a big 50/50 jackpot, and a football drop from the Newport ladder truck by chief Steve Yannuzzi that gave one lucky winner a $1,000 that was marked by Homecoming Queen Olivia Moody was all part of the great atmosphere.
On the field, the Tigers came out hot and scored on their first possession with big chunks of yardage being taken by Eric Wilkinson and Gobin touchdown on a drive that marched 78 yards on 10 plays. “We wanted to start off on the right foot and I think we did just that today,” said Tigers quarterback Ashley.
After the two teams traded possessions, Newport would score again on a 76-yard drive that started with Gobin rumbling for 38-yards as he bowled over would-be tacklers over. Ashley would cap off the scoring drive with a 25-yard touchdown run as Newport led 13-0 after the first quarter.
Newport’s blockers were solid all day, as Timmy Fratzel held the edge to spring Ashley on his score. “I will do whatever it takes to win, I’ve been a tight end but switched to end this season, I like it a lot, I get to lay people out and open holes for our runners to do their job,” said Fratzel.
Not only was the Tiger offense taking the game over, but the defense also had a hand in the win. Logan “Logibear” Ash pounced on a fumble caused by Wilkinson as Bishop Brady was looking to cut into the Tigers lead. Newport would add to their lead in quick order when Gobin crushed a run up the gut for a 49-yard touchdown run. “The line was incredible today, they just manhandled the defense and opened up some big lanes to run in today,” said Gobin, who had 140 yards rushing at the half.
Another fumble by Brady ended up in the arms of Tigers linebacker Gabe Howe and the Tigers were looking to extend their lead before the break. Ashley connected with Gobin on a big 34-yard pass play, then the junior scrambled into the endzone with seven seconds remaining to give Newport a big score after Kyle LeClair hauled in the two-point conversion.
Bishop Brady would get some points on the scoreboard with a 15-yard touchdown run by Joshua Gentchos, who would rush for 165 yards and two touchdowns, with a big 90-yard score coming very late in the contest against the Tigers JV players.
Wilkinson would grab the next Tigers touchdown, but the Tigers defense started to show their teeth. “We wanted it today, we just we not going to lose,” said Ash, while the linebackers of Newport started laying some big hits on the visitors. Ash made the hit of the game with a crushing tackle on Brady QB Todd Sheppard that made Newport bench mouths drop.
The interior line play of Newport didn’t go unnoticed. “Those guys were beasts today. We didn’t have the best week of practice, but they showed up today,” said Proper when asked about the play of Ash, Makyi Matheson, Cayden Decato and Kamden Pollari. “The line held people up and we just crashed in to take the leftovers, we like to hit people,” said the hard-hitting Howe.
Gobin would end the day with 212 yards rushing and two touchdowns while Ashley would gain 147 yards and two scores as well for the 4-1 Tigers. “This was a must win game today, we are back on track. All in all, we were more aggressive today, everybody did their jobs today, but we need to keep that intensity,” said Proper.
Newport sits in 2nd place in Division 4 behind Somersworth and heads to one win Franklin next week before hosting Raymond (3-2) before playoff seeds are announced. The scheduled game at Mill River, Vermont has been canceled.
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