In the final regular season home game of the 2014 season the Newport Knights played their typical brand of smashmouth football against the Mount Si Wildcats.
The game-plan of running the ball behind its massive offensive line worked to perfection. Newport’s Paul Wells scored four touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving) and Newport (6-2 overall) cruised to a 54-27 victory against Mount Si on Oct. 24 in Bellevue. The game was tied 13-13 at halftime before the Knights outscored the Wildcats 28-0 in the third quarter to take control of the game for good. Knights’ head football coach Drew Oliver was glad to see his team play its style of football in the second half. The driving rain and blustery weather conditions was the perfect environment to keep the ball on the ground as much as possible.
“I think we imposed our will. We played the game kind of game we were capable of playing,” Oliver said of the second half. “Our rushing attack is what we are built on. That is no big secret or surprise. We were in a battle and our guys did great. We started the game pretty slow. We talked to them about the challenge at halftime and they answered the bell.”
Oliver wasn’t surprised to see Wells take over in the final regular season home game of his high school career.
“Paul Wells is an intense competitor. He is a great athlete and it shows. He’s fierce and no matter where you put him on the field, he is going to do great things for us. I’m spoiled to say that is kind of typical for Paul Wells. That is what we get out of him,” he said.
Wells credited the offensive lineman in front of him plowing open gaping holes, which allowed him to roam free through the Wildcats’ secondary for a 84-yard touchdown run, 37-yard touchdown run and a 40-yard touchdown jaunt.
“I feel like we have the best offensive line in the state,” Wells said. “I just have to give credit to the entire offensive line for opening up all the holes. I was following my lineman and they gave me great blocks. I just took it from there.”
Newport will face the Woodinville Falcons in the regular season finale at 7 p.m. on Oct. 31 in Woodinville. Newport is currently in a three-way tie for second place in the Class 4A KingCo Division with the Eastlake Wolves and Skyline Spartans.
“We got to take it to Woodinville and hopefully get the No. 2 seed out of KingCo for the playoffs,” Wells said.
Shaun Scott: 425-453-5045; sscott@bellevuereporter.com
