Newport wins slugfest

Holds off Freeman for 1-point win

NEWPORT – To say Jacob Reimers had a big game Friday night is an understatement. The 6-foot 2-inch senior running back scored two touchdowns in the first quarter, one a 20-yard TD reception and the other a 37-yard run.

But it was in the second half that he showed his defensive chops as a linebacker. He blocked an extra point kick. Then, in the last half minute, with Freeman attempting a 1-yard, fourth down run from Newport’s 15-yard line, Reimers came running across the field and put the finishing touches on a tackle that drove Freeman’s quarterback out of bounds short of the first down.

There was a lot of play before the final stand that gave Newport the 41-40 Northeast 2B League win.

Newport coach Mark Duxbury praised the offensive line of Damien Hamburg, Ares Swain, Rayben Jurgens, Robert Warren and Landen Pillers.

“They dominated the line of scrimmage all year,” he says.

The entire Grizzly team showed a gritty, confident attitude in the face of a competent Freeman team that passed for 362 yards and gained 124 on the ground. The Grizzles trailed by two touchdowns in the first half.

Duxbury says Damien Hamburg had a good night. He recovered a fumble early in the third quarter.

“Hamburg’s fumble recovery was big,” Duxbury says. Hamburg was also in on the game winning tackle, shrugging off one blocker and forcing Freeman to use another player to block him, freeing up Reimers who made a great fourth down play in the final seconds, Duxbury says. Hamburg also successfully kicked five extra points before having his sixth one blocked.

Freeman scored first on a long pass and run in the first quarter. Newport counterpunched, capping a drive with a 20-yard Brad Martin to Reimers touchdown pass. Martin was one for three passing on the night.

Freeman answered with a drive and touchdown run. On Newport’s drive, Reimers broke the 37-yard touchdown run.

Freeman responded with runs and passes, including a hard-fought 40-yard pass reception that put them on Newport’s 1 yard line. A quarterback run gave Freeman a 21-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Newport was forced to punt on their next drive. Freeman marched down the field, with successful quarterback keepers, long and short, to score again. With the extra point, the Scotties took a two-touchdown lead.

Following a solid kickoff return by Kutter Driver, the Grizzles continued their running game, with Driver scoring his first touchdown of the game on 7-yard run.

Newport held Freeman on its next drive, forcing a punt. It was 28-21 at halftime.

Newport had to punt after their first drive in the second half, but Hamburg recovered the Freeman fumble on the ensuing drive. Driver carried the ball several times, putting Newport inside the 10 with a 15-yard run, then punching the ball in on a half yard run. The Hamburg kick tied the game.

Freeman returned the kickoff for a touchdown that was called back for a personal foul. Freeman came back with a one-two punch following a 39-yard pass to Newport’s 16 followed by a quarterback sweep for a touchdown.

Reimers blocked the point after kick. The Scotties were up 34-28.

Preston Wacenske took the kickoff back to the 41, part of a solid special team’s effort.

“Our kickoff return team set us up with good starting field position for most of the night,” Duxbury says.

Driver then made a 20-yard touchdown run to tie the game in the fourth quarter. Hamburg had to kick the extra point twice following a penalty, but he came through to give Newport a 35-34 lead early in the fourth, their first lead of the game.

Freeman answered with a long touchdown pass from their own 45-yard line. The Newport line stopped Freeman’s 2-point extra point run, another key play.

Freeman had an unsuccessful onside kick, their second of the night, to give Newport a good field position inside the 50. The Grizzles were first and goal when Driver punched in the 8-yard TD run, his third TD. He ended up rushing for 164 yards on the night. Freeman blocked the Hamburg’s extra point kick and Newport was up 41-40.

Freeman got down to the Grizzlies’ 15-yard line, where Newport stopped the fourth down play to get the win.

Newport is at home next week, Friday, Oct. 17, for a game with Columbia that starts at 7 p.m.