Tuttle at Newcastle -- Newcastle offense vs. Tuttle defense

By Jason Kersey
jkersey@opubco.com

Today’s post on the District 3A-1 clash between Tuttle and Newcastle will be the opposite of yesterday’s. I will look at the match-ups within the match-up of Newcastle’s offense vs. Tuttle’s defense.

Newcastle’s rushing offense vs. Tuttle’s run defense

Newcastle’s offensive strength is in its running game, and running back Riley Gibson has been outstanding this year. He has rushed for 790 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season, averaging over five yards per carry.

Tuttle’s run defense is tough. It gives up just over 87 yards per game on the ground, and is anchored by preseason All-State linebacker Reno Marical, a senior who has 60 tackles so far this year. Senior Nathan Harp has 52 stops for the season.

Although Gibson has had a great year so far, he is the only running threat Newcastle has shown so far this year. Newcastle’s next highest rusher after Gibson is quarterback Adam Iago, who has 46 yards on 33 carries. 

Advantage: Tuttle

Newcastle’s passing offense vs. Tuttle’s pass defense

Iago has completed over 50 percent of his passes this year and has 627 yards. Not bad for a team that is run-first.

Tuttle gives up an average of just over 61 yards per game through the air. Bryce Ebert has four interceptions on the year.

Iago has thrown four touchdowns this year, but has also thrown five interceptions. But Tuttle’s numbers in interceptions and sacks don’t just jump off the page either. I don’t think this match-up will be much of a factor in this game.

Advantage: Wash

To see all of my blog posts this week about the Newcastle-Tuttle game, click here.