By DAN BARILE
Eagle Times Correspondent
Newport 16, Somersworth 14
After last week’s surprising loss against Kearsarge, Newport refocused and grinded out a low-scoring game at Somersworth. The Hilltoppers struck first, scoring on an 11-yard quarterback scamper in the opening frame. Still, Newport responded in the second quarter when Aaron Fellows connected with Aidan Couitt on a short touchdown pass. Adrian Sanchez added the two-point conversion on a pass from Fellows to give Newport an 8-6 lead heading into halftime.
Somersworth reclaimed the lead in the third quarter on a 30-yard touchdown run and added the two-point conversion to take a 14-8 advantage. Somersworth’s lead would not last, however, as Amilio Urista ran the ball into the endzone from two yards out following a beautiful 27-yard completion from Fellows to Couitt. Tyson DiPaola added the go-ahead two-point conversion on a pass from Fellows to give Newport an 16-14 edge with 5:49 remaining.
Somersworth drove deep into Newport territory with less than a minute to play before the Tigers came up with a fourth down stop to seal the victory.
Newport (5-2) could secure a home playoff game with a victory over Gilford (4-3) in the regular season finale on Saturday at 2 p.m.
No. 2 Bellows Falls 49, No. 7 North Country 6
The Terriers entered halftime with a comfortable 21-6 lead before cruising to a blowout victory in the Division 2 quarterfinals. Quarterback Eli Allbee scored the first four touchdowns of the night for Bellows Falls before Carson Clark (1-yard run), Josh Streeter (32-yard reception), and Conner Perry (five-yard run) added scores for the Terriers. Tristan Boylan converted all seven of his extra point attempts to help Bellows Falls advance to the semifinals.
Bellows Falls (7-2) will host third-seeded Fair Haven (7-2) on Friday at 7 p.m. The Terriers grinded out a 14-7 win at Fair Haven earlier this season.
No. 2 Woodstock 60, No. 7 Windsor 0
After dropping a 56-0 decision against Woodstock in the regular season finale, Windsor knew they had a tall order ahead in Friday night’s rematch with the Wasps in the Division 3 quarterfinals. Woodstock proved to be too much for Windsor yet again as they moved to 8-0 with a convincing victory. Woodstock will host third-seeded Springfield (5-3) in the Division 3 semifinals on Friday at 7 p.m. Seniors playing in their final game for Windsor (1-7) include Tanner Crane, Justin Draper, Joey Gaudette, Nick Laduke, Gavin Martin and Audrey Rupp.
Gilford 23, Stevens 13
Stevens dropped to 4-3 after a hard-fought game at Gilford on Saturday afternoon. Stevens will look to improve its seed for the Division 3 playoffs when they host Somersworth (3-4) in the regular season finale on Friday at 7 p.m.
Epping-Newmarket 15, Kearsarge 6
A victory over Epping-Newmarket could have given Kearsarge an outside shot at a playoff berth, but they fell short in Saturday afternoon’s contest. Kearsarge finishes the season with a 2-6 record.
