The Best Line Wins

By Chris LaClair
EAGLE TIMES SPORTS EDITOR
NEWPORT, NH – On a sunny morning in Newport, the 5/6 grade Newport Tigers football fought hard for an 18-0 win over the Mini Cardinals of Claremont in a victory won on the line.

In the first half, both teams came up with huge defensive stops. Newport’s Mackaileb “BoBo” Decato made things difficult for Claremont as he controlled the line as they shut out the high-scoring offense of the Mini Cardinals, including Benjamin “Benji” Whitney, who has previously carved up the Springfield Cosmos defense in their opening weekend.

Tiger quarterback Blake Minckler was too much for the defense all game. He had two huge runs, including a scamper from the 21-yard, before being tackled at the 1-yard line. A block in the back brought the play back to the 20-yard line. With only 24 seconds remaining in the first half, Minckler found the end zone on a rushing touchdown. Benjamin Russell would score on the two-point conversion rush to put the Tigers up 8-0.

Whitney did everything he could to get Claremont on the scoreboard, collecting 40 yards of rushing before being tackled before the halftime buzzer sounded.

Minckler would find the end zone again five minutes into the second half on a 49-yard run that had the Cardinal defenders falling over trying to reach him for the tackle. Russell converted his second rushing score to give the Tigers a 16-0 lead.

Claremont would try to score as Elijah Jillson connected with Tatum Lunderville for a nice pass.

Unfortunately for the Cardinals, they could not pick up the first on a 4th down and 3.

After taking over possession, Steven Palmer broke loose for a run as he danced around the defenders.

“Handoff to Palmer on the near side as he dances left, dances right, another left and finally dragged down after dancing his way ten yards for a Tiger first down.” Tiger PA Announcer Ray Shepardson III said. “Someone needs to get him some dance lessons.”

Carsyn “Shorty” Carpenter would get another first down as he rushed to the 9-yard line, setting up a first and goal. The Cardinals would get their first big break of the game as they held the Tigers out of the end zone on a turnover on downs.

Whitney again would try to bring the Cardinals back with big runs, but the clock would hit zero before they could get another snap off from the Newport 15-yard line.

“I am super proud of how quickly this team has come together as a unit.” Newport Head Coach Rickie MacIntyre said. “We only have 15 kids on the roster, and several of them have never played football before, but they have gained in leaps and bounds.”