No. 5 Newport Grizzlies: 2019 Washington high school 1A football preview

By WILL HOLLAND Newport is ranked No. 5 in Scorebook Live Washington’s preseason 1A football Top 10. Here’s an inside look at the 2019 Grizzlies. Links: Newport

By WILL HOLLAND

Newport is ranked No. 5 in Scorebook Live Washington’s preseason 1A football Top 10. Here’s an inside look at the 2019 Grizzlies.

Links: Newport team page | 2019 schedule | Roster

2018 IN REVIEW

11-2 overall record, 5-1 in 1A NEA League; lost to Colville in the state championship, 48-7.

COACHING RESUME

Head coach: David Pomante, third season.

Overall record: 21-4

Coordinators: Brandon McDaniel (OC); David Pomante (DC).

Base schemes: Spread offense, 4-3 defense

RETURNING 

Offense - 6. Defense - 6.

TOP RETURNERS

WR/LB/P Jacob Kirkwood, 6-1, 185, Sr.

OL/DL Luke Nichols, 6-3, 260, Sr.

QB/CB Tiegen Prange, 6-2, 170, Jr.

OL/DL Mathieu Kirkwood, 5-11, 190, So.

RB/LB/DL Aaron Eggleston, 5-11, 190, Jr.

THREE TO SEE

WR/LB/P Jacob Kirkwood, 6-1, 185, Sr.

First team all-league as a wide receiver last year with great hands and body control. Played a little bit of defense and excelled in the special teams game as well, earning an all-state punter nod. Also the team's emotional leader.

OL/DL Luke Nichols, 6-3, 260, Sr.

Nicholas was a two-way all-league selection last year, helping add some size to a team that had only five other players over 200 pounds. Will be counted upon to plug the run and overall leadership.

QB/CB Tiegen Prange, 6-2, 170, Jr.

Prange returns as a second-year starter, having lead an offense which averaged just shy of 30 points per game last year as a sophomore.

OUTLOOK

Newport enters the 2019 season having made a historic run through the playoffs last season, where they eventually lost in the state championship game to Colville. Colville, a fellow 1A Northeast League member, beat Newport out for their league title as well, which thickens the rivalry heading into this season. Head Coach David Pomante says that the Grizzlies, based on their so-far stellar offseason.“Expect to be mentally tough and competitive” in the new year, Pomante said. However, they’ll have some key spots to fill. Newport loses four all-league candidates, two of whom were all-league on both sides of the ball in WR/DB Tug Smith and OL/DL Jacob Tanner. Now the incoming juniors and seniors have deep postseason experience returning.

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept. 6, 7 p.m.: Bonners Ferry (ID)

Sept. 13, 7 p.m.: at Priest River (ID)

Sept. 19, 7 p.m.: at Deer Park

Sept. 27, 7 p.m.: Freeman

Oct. 4, 7 p.m.: at Chewelah

Oct. 11, 7 p.m.: at Medical Lake

Oct. 18, 7 p.m.: Colville

Oct. 25, 7 p.m.: Riverside

Nov. 1, 7 p.m.: at Lakeside (Nine Mile)

*home games in bold