Newport
It was a day of surprises as the Tigers, who passed the ball just once last week, put the ball up nine times in the first half and made a defensive switch, inserting McNamara at safety; he responded with two interceptions.
“I thought that passing gave us the best chance to succeed,” Newport coach Richard Boone said.
It was not a knockout success for the passing game (4-for-10, 145 yards, 1 touchdown, two interceptions) but Boone said it now makes it harder for the other team to prepare for the Tigers.
Boone said he inserted McNamara at safety because he thought the play at that position last week was a little soft.
Then there was the freshman Thibault, who, after his 181-yard rushing effort, is not going to surprise any teams the rest of the year after Saturday’s game. But stopping him may be another matter.
In the first half, Thibault carried the ball 10 times for 174 yards and two touchdowns, and picked up a fumble and ran 80 yards for another score.
In the second half, which was played with a running clock from the 7:35 mark of the third quarter, Thibault had just three carries for seven yards.
The Tigers kicker Tyler Sharron added a 30-yard field goal.
Newport’s line, meanwhile, stood out against a team that had scored 34 points the week before and an offensive line that was able to open gaps in order to set Thibault free.
“I think we have the best line play in the division,” McNamara said.
While there was some doubt as to the outcome at game time, there was little doubt when the game began as the Tigers scored on their second possession, and by the half it as 29-0.
“Last week we were a little sloppy at the start and the coaches got after us in practice this week about getting off to a better start,” senior John Hogan said.
Hogan played a big part in the Tigers’ first score, as he caught a 33-yard first-quarter pass from McNamara that took hime to the 1-yard-line. Shortly thereafter, McNamara rammed it in and the beat was on.
Thibault did most of the work in the second Newport score, but it was the quick hands and leaping ability of McNamara that was vital. On the first play of the drive following a Winnisquam punt, McNamara was in the shotgun formation when a very high snap nearly got over his head. He was able to jump and retain possession, which led to Thibault runs of 19 and 61 yards that led to another TD.
Sharron’s field goal made it 16-0.
Before the half ended, Newport scored twice more. The Tigers made Winnisquam pay for a short punt that gave the Tigers the ball on the Bears’ 45. On the first play from scrimmage, McNamara hit Hogan behind the Winnisquam defense and he took it in for the TD. Next, Thibault scored from 19 yards out moments before the half to make it 29-0 at the break.
When the second half began the Bears came put with a purpose, but Thibault broke their hearts. After not getting a first down in the first half, the Bears had two in their first possession of the second half and drove to the Newport 20. Then a sweep was stuffed at the line of scrimmage and the ball popped out. Thibault scooped it up and ran 80 yards for the TD.
When Sharron booted the extra point it was 36-0, and the running clock was used.
The Tigers go on the road next weekend to take on 2-0 Inter-Lakes.