Newport shuts out Priest River football
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY) Priest River senior quarterback Caden Brennan rolls out of the pocket during the Spartans’ 20-0 home loss against Newport (Wash.) on Sept. 12. Brennan went 6-10 for 30 yards and added 42 yards on the ground.
PRIEST RIVER — Priest River football dropped to 0-2 with a 20-0 loss against Newport (Wash.) on Thursday, Sept. 12, yet Spartans head coach Jared Hughes was impressed with his team’s resolve against a larger, more experienced team.
“If you would’ve looked at the rosters and last year’s record, you would’ve thought Newport would have blown us out,” Hughes said in an email afterwards. “Our kids had other ideas. They played outstanding defense to keep us close the whole game.”
Bradley O’Brien and Cole Thompson led the Spartans with 11 tackles apiece, holding the Grizzlies at bay for the majority of the game.
Senior quarterback Caden Brennan bounced back from an 0-7 performance last week with a 6-10, 30 yard-outing, while also adding 42 rushing yards.
“Caden is starting to see the field better,” Hughes said. “[He had] a big improvement from the last game.”
The Spartans earned most of their rushing yards by committee: Junior running back Coby Rogers had 40 yards on 17 carries, the aforementioned Brennan led the way with 42 yards and Teagun Holycross was limited to three yards after sustaining a shoulder injury at the end of the first half.
All things considered, Hughes was impressed with the progress the team has made in spite of the losses and the challenges of practicing with a thin roster.
“The kids made huge improvements from game one,” Hughes said. “Due to low numbers, we really haven’t had a chance to play at varsity speed much at practice. We will have to hang our hats on defense as our offense continues to get better.”
The Spartans will play at St. Maries this Friday, Sept. 30 for their first road game of the season. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Newport 0 7 0 13 — 20
Priest River 0 0 0 0 — 0
Second quarter
NHS — Aaron Eggleston 2 run (Pedro Greca kick), 3:40
Fourth quarter
NHS — Michael Owen 21 pass from Tiegen Prange (PAT failed), 5:00
NHS — Clancy Eggleston 7 pass from Tiegen Prange (Pedro Greca kick), 1:30
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Newport stats unavailable at press time
PASSING — Caden Brennan, 6-10-1-70.
RUSHING — Coby Rogers, 17-40. Teagun Holycross, 1-3. Caden Brennan, 11-42. Kameron Salesky, 2-5
RECEIVING — Rees O’Brien, 1-12. Robert Johnson, 2-11. Levi Bowen, 1-7.