Falcons shocked by Newport 42-10

Under the Friday night lights and fresh off a 2-0 start, the Woodinville Falcons came into their first home game against the previously 0-2 Newport High School Knights feeling confident. From the highly-spirited crowd behind them, to their uniquely designed camouflage uniforms in honor of Military Appreciation Month, to the return of senior quarterback Caleb Hamilton, it looked like it would be a game to remember.

However, things did not fair well for Woodinville on their home turf. They lost 10-42.

The first score of the night was a slant pass to the right by senior Newport quarterback Issac Dotson to junior tight end Drew Sample with 6:41 remaining in the first quarter. The point after touchdown (PAT) was then blocked, but Woodinville, then gaining possession, couldn’t manage to get the ball past the 50-yard line.

The offense wasn’t producing as well as it could have, and Newport’s offense took full advantage. With 41 seconds to go in the first quarter, Newport scored on quarterback Issac Dotson’s 1-yard run and completed the drive with a 2-point conversion, making the score 14-0, Newport.

Despite a great kickoff return by Woodinville, again the Falcons failed to execute on offense causing Newport to regain possession of the ball. With 17 seconds left in the first quarter, they scored with a 37-yard run by Dotson, making the score 21-0, Newport.

By this time, the Woodinville crowd was stunned. This wasn’t the type of Woodinville football fans were used to seeing. 

At the start of the second quarter it was evident that the Woodinville defense was going to be the key for the game. But, they were unable to wrap up players on tackles and this cost them immensely.

Woodinville started with possession and finally started to move the ball downfield, setting them up with a 4th and goal with 5:17 left in the second quarter. Kicker Connor Zaback put Woodinville on the board, 21-3.

Despite Woodinville’s better effort on defense in Newport’s following possession, Newport got downfield to score off a rollout pass to the left from Dotson to Sample with 1:24 left in the second quarter, making it 28-3, Newport.

The next possession by Woodinville resulted in a punt. Newport used the remainder of the second quarter getting the ball to the Woodinville 27-yard line to set up a field goal-attempt. But, with 6 seconds left, it missed, flying far to the left.

Time expired in the first half after a long-pass out of bounds by Woodinville. At the end of two quarters the score was 28-3, Newport.

Both teams came out fighting in the third quarter but neither managed to get any points on the board until Woodinville scored with 4:34 left in the quarter on a skillfully placed 40-yard pass by quarterback Caleb Hamilton to John Villaseñor. Despite the resulting 10-28 score, the touchdown appeared to be the turning point of the game. The crowd got back into it and the momentum had shifted in Woodinville’s favor.

On Newport’s next possession, they drove down the field to Woodinville’s 11-yard line. With 42 seconds left in the third quarter, Newport went for it on a 4th and 1. To the delight of the Woodinville crowd, the Falcons defense finally made a stand and stopped Newport from scoring again.

However, after that stop, Newport took back control of the game in the fourth quarter. Newport scored twice down the stretch, once off a 19-yard pass by Dotson to Sample with 6:24 to go, and then through a 12-yard run by Dotson with 1:48 left.

Final score: Woodinville 10, Newport 42.

Post game interviews with Woodinville players and coaches confirmed that defense was one of the main issues of the night. In response to what needed work, senior Dane Hawkins said, “Tackling. We need to wrap up, make plays on defense.”

"The Newport kids came out and did a better job of getting up on the ball and pushing our kids back and to keep it simple, we just got out-muscled tonight," said Head Coach Maxwell.

Linebacker Parker Moore echoed that remark, saying Woodinville’s “goal was to always be the most physical team out on the field but it just didn’t happen.”

Villaseñor remarked that the team needed more “mental toughness.”

It’s safe to say many were surprised at the outcome of the game - fans and players alike.  However, next week is a new week, new game, and a whole new plan. Woodinville vs. Inglemoor, Pop Keeney, 7 p.m, Sept. 21, 2012. Be there.