Top-Ranked Tigers Advance to Second-Straight D-III Title Game

And though both defenses seemed up for the task early with strong stands in their first respective drives, it didn’t take long for unbeaten Newport to take control as the home team pounded its way to a 47-7 victory over the Falcons worth a ticket to next weekend’s title game. 

And for a team know for its ability to ground and pound the ball, it was quarterback Dylan McNamara who turned perhaps the most heads with a pair of impressive touchdown passes in the win. Both TDs were reeled in by senior Stephan Nix, with his first giving the Tigers a 12-7 edge early in the second quarter, and the second – on an absolutely perfectly-placed pass – putting the home team up 20-7 later in the quarter. 

Nix added a third touchdown later in the game for good measure, this time coming on a nifty 55-yard. Newport’s two-headed duo of Noah Wade and CJ Lawrence also had their share of success, with Wade rushing for 109 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and Lawrence also scoring twice on 89 rushing yards. 

The win has coach Larry McElreavy’s team bound for a second straight appearance in the championship game, after having suffered a 20-6 loss last season. I spoke with both McNamara and Nix after the game, who touched on their team’s ability to both run and throw the ball.

The Tigers will be up against an Inter-Lakes/Moultonborough team that suffered just one loss in the regular season – against you guesses it, Newport. Kickoff is slated for 11 o’clock Sunday morning at UNH.