Newport took a two-score lead against Gilford on a pair of Aaron Fellows touchdown runs, but the Golden Eagles went off for 26 unanswered points in a 26-12 victory on the gridiron on Saturday at Maryn Field in Gilford.
“It was another tough loss after having a 12-0 lead,” said Coach John Proper. “We ran the ball well and on defense we held their running gaming to only 40 yards, but one of the keys coming into the game was limiting their explosive plays and we were unable to do that.”
Fellows scored a pair of rushing touchdowns in the first quarter to go up 12-0, one for three yards and one from a yard out. Both two point conversions failed, but it was a two-touchdown lead until the end of the second quarter, when Gilford scored on a 20-yard pass play by Mark Uicker.
The Tigers had a 12-7 lead at halftime, but Uicker threw two more touchdowns while the Golden Eagles held the Tigers scoreless the rest of the way.
Fellows had eight carries for only seven yards, but he scored both Tiger touchdowns. He was 4-for-10 for 30 yards passing, as well. Tyson DiPaola had 10 carries for 62 yards.
“I told the kids after the game that it wasn’t the outcome we had hoped for, but our season isn’t over now,” Proper said. “We get to get back to work and anything can happen in the playoffs now.”
No. 5 Newport will travel to No. 4 Gilford for a rematch on Saturday at 1 p.m. for the quarterfinals of the NHIAA Division III playoffs.
—Bob Martin, Eagle Times Staff
