Newport Central Catholic Extended Winning Streak Over Newport

The Thoroughbreds secured a 17-6 victory, marking their 29th consecutive win against the local rival.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Football

Dynamic expressionist illustration of two football players tackling during a game, rendered in bold blue and red team colors. — Newport Central Catholic extended its long-standing series winning streak to 29 games after defeating Newport 17-6 on October 9. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Newport Central Catholic defeated Newport 17-6 on October 9, 2026, overcoming a fourth-quarter deficit at the Ciafardini Athletic Complex. The win keeps the Thoroughbreds undefeated in this series since 1999, extending their streak to 29 games.

Why it matters

The game turned in the final seven minutes when Newport Central Catholic's defense forced three critical turnovers, allowing the Thoroughbreds to erase a 6-0 lead. This momentum shift decided the outcome and kept the long-standing series streak alive for Newport Central Catholic.

Van Hundemer led the offense with 124 rushing yards and a 20-yard touchdown run. The victory improved both teams to identical 2-5 records on the season.

The players

Newport Central Catholic

This high school football program has dominated its local rivalry with Newport for over two decades.

Drake Ramirez

He is a player for Newport Central Catholic who contributed a defensive score during the fourth-quarter rally.

Van Hundemer

He is a standout running back for Newport Central Catholic who provided crucial offensive production.

Jaiden Wittrock

He is a kicker for Newport Central Catholic who successfully converted a field goal.

The details

Newport Central Catholic forced a fumble for a three-yard touchdown by Drake Ramirez and a field goal by Jaiden Wittrock during the decisive fourth-quarter surge. Newport struggled late, committing three turnovers in the game's final seven minutes.

1999 was the last year Newport defeated Newport Central Catholic.
The teams played on October 9, 2026.
Newport Central Catholic faces Dayton next week.
Newport visits Bellevue next week.

Season Trajectory

This win maintains the historical dominance of Newport Central Catholic in a rivalry dating back to 1999. The result leaves both schools at 2-5, with the Thoroughbreds gaining significant momentum heading into their matchup with Dayton.

Newport Central Catholic's defense forced three turnovers in under two minutes, directly flipping the 6-0 deficit. Both teams now hold 2-5 records, complicating their respective paths to late-season playoff positioning.

The takeaway

The game highlights the immense pressure placed on defenses in the final minutes of close contests. Maintaining ball security remains the most vital factor for teams attempting to protect a late-game lead.