Newport football has come along way under the tutelage of Todd Rothermel. On Nov. 11 the program achieved another historical first -- a District 3-AA championship as the Buffaloes defeated York Catholic 26-7 in Boiling Springs.
"Obviously, we are pretty pleased (to win the title)," said a beaming Rothermel, whose team improved to 10-1. "We have been in the playoffs for the last five years, we were in the final last season against York Catholic (8-3), and it was nice to be able to come back and get the win this time."
No amount of Rosary beads or Hail Marys could prepare the Catholics for what lay in store.
Sophomore running back Ethan Rode ran over, around, and through the Irish, amassing 214 yards on 36 carries and finding the end zone three times. The offense churned out 322 yards in all.
The stout Newport defensive blockade limited the Irish, who had torched the Buffaloes for 539 yards rushing in last season's matchup, to just 80 total yards -- a mere 2 on the ground.
"(Newport) was controlling the line of scrimmage, they were controlling the gaps," acknowledged Irish skipper Eric Depew. "Hats off to Newport, they came well coached and well prepared. Their blitzes were generating a lot of pressure."
"I think our defense has played extremely well all year and, as long as we continue to do that, I like our chances against anybody," said Rothermel. "Offense will win you games, defense will win you championships, and that is what happened tonight."
The Buffaloes also picked off three Kyle Dormer passes.
The defense set the tone early. Newport punted on the game's opening possession, and a 25-yard boot, complicated by a high snap, allowed the Irish to start in Newport territory. However, Grabiec sacked Dormer for a 19-yard loss on fourth down and just like that, Newport had the ball on the Irish's half.
Six plays and 44 yards later, Rode barged in for his first score to put Newport up 7-0.
York Catholic marched all the way to the Buffalo 9 on its next possession, but Parker Taylor and Warner Hockenberry teamed up to sack Dormer for an 11-yard loss. A resulting 37-yard field goal attempt sailed wide.
Following the miss, the Newport offense went right back to trucking, covering 80 yards on 10 plays to bump the lead to 13-0 early in the second quarter.
Late in the quarter, a special team's snafu allowed the Irish to get back into the game. Another high snap disrupted punter Justin Barlup's timing, resulting in a blocked punt.
Dormer seized on the momentum, connecting with Riley Brennan (four catches, 63 yards) for a 14-yard scoring strike on the very next play, cutting the margin to 13-7 with 52 ticks left in the half.
Grabiec quickly led the team down the field, collecting 24 of his 75 rushing yards along the way, with a 20-yard completion to Rode mixed in. But no points would result as Barlup's 38-yard field goal try was blocked.
Catholic was forced to punt on its opening drive, but got a reprieve when Torrey Thomas pounced on a loose ball following Andrew Snelbaker's strip of Grabiec.
Newport's defense again bailed the team out. Brady Herr and Walker Klinger teamed for a 12-yard sack, and a bad snap over Dormer's head resulted in another 18-yard loss.
Following the Irish punt, Newport drove to the 8, but Grabiec was stuffed on fourth-and-3.
However, a Klinger strip and Grabiec recovery quickly got the ball back in Newport's hands.
Rode then willed his way to the end zone on fourth-and-goal from the Irish 1 to complete a 21-yard drive and make the score 19-7.
Another Catholic turnover -- Beno Nunez's interception -- set up the next Newport score. Rode accounted all 44-yards on the succeeding march to put the final nail in the Irish's coffin and make the final margin 26-7.
"Rode is a big, powerful kid, and he was very, very motivated," said Rothermel. "It was exciting to see a young kid like that put us on his back and churn things out."
Buffalo notes
Newport will next play Dunmore (12-0), the District 2 AA Champ this Friday night at Susquehanna Township with a 7PM kickoff. It will be the inaugural meeting of Bucks and Buffaloes.
This only the fourth Newport squad to record double-digit wins in a season (1953, 1991, and 2015).
Riley Taylor, Grabiec, and Nunez each picked off a pass.
Parker Taylor and Alex VanHorn each had a hand in six stops. Taylor was in on a pair of sacks with Grabiec and Peachey each recording one.
Herr had five QB hurries, Peachey had four, and Klinger added three more.
Tevin Gonzalez and Grabiec each broke up a pair of passes.