By Christopher Shaban
Eagle Times Correspondent
NEWPORT, NH — Newport and Somersworth combined have scored 195 points so far this season and the offense match-up many predicted turned into a defensive war this weekend during the homecoming game with Newport holding off the defending Division 4 champions 13-12 to stay unbeaten.
Somersworth lit some fireworks right off the bat as they returned the opening kickoff 71 yards to set up shop on the Newport 4-yard line before the large crowd barely had time to settle into their seats. Four plays later, Newport had the ball as the Tiger defense pushed the visitors back 6 yards including a bone jarring hit, compliments of Kyle Ashley.
“That was huge, that really set the tone for the game,” said Newport Head Coach John Proper.
Newport got their offense rolling that finished with Ashley bowling over tacklers for a 16-yard touchdown as he rushed for 63 yards in the first quarter alone behind a determined offensive line. Logan Ash, Colton Goodwin and Cayden Decato, along with tight end Aiden Couitt, were in no mood to allow the Hilltoppers any room to breathe. The Tigers led 6-0 after the point after kick sailed a bit wide.
On their next possession early in the second quarter, Newport looked to add to their score until Ashley came out of a pile of tacklers and hobbled to the bench with every local at the game worried.
With Ashley out of the game and getting treatment on the bench, Somersworth was sky high and had all the momentum in the world, as well as the ball. But three incomplete passes in a row had Newport back in business with 2 minutes left in the half. Gabe Howe and Amilio Urista took over the rushing chores, but Ashley came back into the game under center as the clock ticked down to end the half. Ashley dropped back and spotted Couitt flying down the middle of the field.
“We practice that play every day; I told the coach I’d catch it,” said Couitt.
Ashley’s toss was perfect, and Couitt danced untouched into the endzone with Tanir Fournier’s kick right down the middle. Newport headed off with a 13-0 lead at the break.
“We call it the Newport special, and it worked perfectly today,” Proper said.
After a fantastic halftime show that featured the Newport band (including Ashley and Couitt), the Newport cheerleaders tossed their way to some incredible moves. When the Tiger alumni cheerleaders had finished, the joint was hopping.
When action returned on the field, Somersworth was hopping also as Seth Worell intercepted a pass and raced into the endzone cutting the Newport lead to 13-6 in the blink of an eye.
The Newport offense was out of sorts, but their defense was very hungry. Sacks by Kamden Pollari and Decato pushed Somersworth backward as the Newport offense was still struggling. The visitors were onto something as they had ran a counter by Kayden Bickford for a 25-yard touchdown that cut the Tigers lead to a single point, but Howe picked off the 2-point attempt to keep Newport ahead 13-12.
Just when Newport needed a spark, Arron Fellows came through with a huge 51-yard kickoff return that brought the locals to their feet but once again, the defense took over. This time it was Somersworth as they stoned Newport at the 1-yard line. Newport defense hounded Somersworth into a punt that traveled 18 yards giving Newport the ball with only 33 yards to grow their lead in the drive of the season.
With Urista, Howe and Ashley hoping to find paydirt, the Tigers were stopped inches from the endzone as Somersworth had 99 yards to go with 2 minutes remaining. Newport defense was up to the task, denying the visitors any hope and when the Tigers took a knee to end the game, relief and excitement swept across the Tiger sidelines.
“That is what football is all about, that was a good team we just beat,” Proper said to his team. “This town came out to support you today and we never quit, let up or stopped giving it our all. I am so proud of all of you today.”
Newport (3-0) will head to Bishop Brady (1-2) next week for a 6 p.m. game.
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