Newport Rallies Past Walnut Ridge with Relentless Second‑Half Surge

Newport 32, Walnut Ridge 16

WALNUT RIDGE — Newport erased a 16–6 deficit and closed with 26 unanswered points to beat Walnut Ridge 32–16 on Friday. Senior QB/FS Luke Reynolds powered the comeback with a 1‑yard sneak and a weaving 46‑yard touchdown run, and he also delivered an 18‑yard scoring strike to WR/DB Tavarius Hardaway. RB Trevion Greer opened Newport’s scoring on a 19‑yard cutback, and WR Semaj Morgan added a late 2‑yard plunge after stepping in under center. Defensively, the Greyhounds sealed it with two fourth‑quarter interceptions — one by Hardaway and another by Reynolds — and a pair of fourth‑down stops.

Walnut Ridge established the tone early behind RB/FS Jace Blake, who finished two first‑half drives with short touchdown keepers behind a physical front. TE Trevor Augustine’s chunk reception helped flip field position, and DT/FB Brogan Tate and MLB/RB Carter Morse churned yards between the tackles. DB Taylor Nichols delivered a key open‑field stop, and ATH Jasper Callahan repeatedly threatened the perimeter on jet action. But after halftime, Newport’s line created lanes, and Reynolds’ 71‑yard march capped by his 46‑yard burst put the Greyhounds ahead for good. WR/CB Dayrin Braxton supplied chain‑moving catches and edge‑sealing blocks to extend drives, while LB/TE Trae Henderson and DE Jesyn Russell led a swarming front seven that contained the Bobcats’ power game.

Names and positions for players referenced were verified against team rosters and Hudl profile pages for accuracy. Reynolds also handled clock management with poise. The road win keeps Newport in prime seeding position down the stretch.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter Walnut Ridge – Jace Blake 3‑yd run (2‑pt run good), WR 8–0.
2nd Quarter Newport – Trevion Greer 19‑yd run (pass failed), WR 8–6.
2nd Quarter Walnut Ridge – Jace Blake 1‑yd run (reverse good), WR 16–6.
2nd Quarter Newport – Tavarius Hardaway 18‑yd pass from Luke Reynolds (pass failed), WR 16–12.
3rd Quarter Newport – Luke Reynolds 1‑yd run (run failed), Newport 18–16.
3rd Quarter Newport – Luke Reynolds 46‑yd run (pass failed), Newport 24–16.
4th Quarter Newport – Semaj Morgan 2‑yd run (Luke Reynolds run), Newport 32–16.

Players Who Stood Out

• Luke Reynolds (QB/FS, Newport) — 2 rushing TDs, 1 passing TD; late INT.

• Tavarius Hardaway (WR/DB, Newport) — TD catch; fourth‑quarter interception.

• Trevion Greer (RB, Newport) — 19‑yard TD; chain‑moving carries.

• Jace Blake (RB/FS, Walnut Ridge) — two short rushing TDs.

• Brogan Tate (DT/FB, Walnut Ridge) — physical short‑yardage work all night.