Smithson’s Final-Play Field Goal Lifts Booneville Past Newport

Booneville 24, Newport 21

NEWPORT — Cooper Smithson kicked a 25-yard field goal on the final play to give Booneville a 24-21 victory over Newport Friday at Greyhound Field.

Newport quarterback Luke Sampson scored three rushing touchdowns, including the fourth-quarter score that preceded Rashaun Rucker’s tying two-point conversion.

The Greyhounds recovered a fumble on Booneville’s opening possession and drove 56 yards. Rucker’s 16-yard run helped set up Sampson’s 9-yard touchdown, and Destin Jackson’s extra point made it 7-0.

Booneville answered with a 61-yard drive. After converting fourth-and-two, quarterback Tayden Washburn scored on a 14-yard keeper with 8:38 remaining in the second quarter. The extra point tied it 7-7.

Newport stopped Booneville on fourth-and-11 with 16 seconds left before halftime, preserving the tie.

The Bearcats recovered the opening second-half kickoff at Newport’s 27 and scored on a 1-yard fullback run with 9:20 remaining.

Sampson answered with a 3-yard touchdown run with 3:44 left. The extra-point kick missed following an illegal-substitution penalty, and Booneville retained a 14-13 lead.

A roughing-the-punter penalty extended Booneville’s next possession. Washburn’s keeper on the third quarter’s final play moved the ball to Newport’s 4. A 2-yard fullback touchdown run and the extra point made it 21-13 early in the fourth.

Newport responded with a 69-yard drive. Rucker converted third-and-two, and Sampson completed a third-and-nine pass to Tavarius Hardaway. A completion to JaTaelyn Crite moved the Greyhounds inside the 10.

Sampson scored from 4 yards on third-and-goal, and Rucker’s two-point run tied it 21-21 with 5:51 remaining.

Booneville took over at its 30 with 5:44 left and kept possession. Washburn’s keeper reached Newport’s 30, and an offside penalty converted fourth-and-four at the 12.

Newport’s defense stopped two runs around an incomplete pass after Booneville reached first-and-goal. The final stop forced fourth down and brought Smithson onto the field for the winning kick.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

Newport — Luke Sampson 9-yard touchdown run (Destin Jackson kick), Newport 7-0.

2nd Quarter

Booneville — Tayden Washburn 14-yard touchdown run (kick good), tied 7-7, 8:38.

3rd Quarter

Booneville — 1-yard touchdown run by the fullback(kick good), Booneville 14-7, 9:20.

Newport — Luke Sampson 3-yard touchdown run (kick failed), Booneville 14-13, 3:44.

4th Quarter

Booneville — 2-yard touchdown run by the fullback on third-and-goal (kick good), Booneville 21-13.

Newport — Luke Sampson 4-yard touchdown run on third-and-goal (Rashaun Rucker two-point run), tied 21-21, 5:51.

Booneville — Cooper Smithson 25-yard field goal on the final play, Booneville 24-21, 0:00.

Players Who Stood Out

• Cooper Smithson, Booneville, kicker: Made the winning 25-yard field goal on the final play, breaking a 21-21 tie after Newport’s defense forced fourth-and-goal.
• Luke Sampson, Newport, quarterback: Three rushing touchdowns, covering 9, 3 and 4 yards. His final touchdown came on third-and-goal with 5:51 remaining. Also completed a third-and-nine pass to Tavarius Hardaway during that scoring drive.
• Tayden Washburn, Booneville, quarterback: Scored on a 14-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. His keeper on the final play of the third quarter reached Newport’s 4-yard line, setting up Booneville’s third touchdown. Another keeper moved Booneville from its own 40 to Newport’s 30 on the winning possession.
• Rashaun Rucker, Newport, running back: Scored the tying two-point conversion with 5:51 remaining. Added a 16-yard run on Newport’s opening touchdown drive and a third-and-two conversion during its final touchdown drive.
• Trae Henderson, Newport, linebacker: Recorded a 1-yard tackle for loss on first-and-goal early in the fourth quarter. Also made the third-down tackle with 2:19 remaining in the third quarter that brought Booneville’s punt team onto the field.