Homecoming victory for Newport Griz

NEWPORT – The Newport football game had much to celebrate Friday night, beating the Asotin Panthers handily, 42-12 for homecoming.

The Grizzlies scored twice in the first quarter, once on a rushing drive by Kutter Driver, another on a 26-yard rush by Gavin Estra.

Driver played quarterback again this week, connecting with Keaton Shults in the second quarter on a 64-yard pass play before Asotin scored on a one-yard rush. Driver scored again for the Griz on a 21-yard rush.

Newport was up 28-6 at the half.

Driver scored on a 12-yard rush in the third quarter. It wasn’t until the fourth that Asotin scored for the second and final time. They attempted a two-point conversion that failed.

Newport’s final score came from Preston Wacenske on a 41-yard run.

Newport had 309 yards rushing and 119 passing for a total of 428 on offence.

Driver had 14 carries for 129 yards and three touchdowns. Estra had four carries for 42 yards and a TD, and Wacenske had six carries for 67 yards and TD.

Driver was seven of nine passing for 119 yards and TD.

Shults led receivers with two catches for 74 yards and a TD. Dylan Aubrey grabbed two passes for 27 yards and Des Opland had one catch for five yards. Wacenske had one catch for three yards.

“Defensively we allowed 129 yards rushing on 32 carries,” Coach Mark Duxbury said.

Asotin was 10 of 28 passing for 99 yards. Damien Hamburg stood out on defense with 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

“We got one starter back on the offensive line this week and it helped,” Duxbury said. “Next week we should get another starter back from an ankle injury, which is good timing. The next three games are going to be very competitive.”

Newport plays Liberty in Spangle Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. They are 3-2 in league and both their losses were close.

“We need to eliminate turnovers on offense and reduce the number of big plays on defense if we want to win this coming week,” the coach said.