Newport's Wade capped solid football season with special performance

In Larry McElreavy's mind, there is something specific that sets Noah Wade apart from other running backs.

Good running backs might have the same talent, knowledge or experience as the Newport High School senior has, but what made Wade a great performer for the Tigers this football season was something that can't be taught.

"The difference between a good tailback and a great tailback is vision," McElreavy said. "You can see the play as it starts to develop. A great tailback can see that, a good tailback can't. (A good back) is tunnel visioned. Noah isn't like that."

Wade did his best to prove his coach right in Sunday's Division III championship game, as he rushed for 274 yards and a four touchdowns, and also had a score on a 57-yard punt return, to lead the Tigers to a 48-14 win over Inter-Lakes/Moultonborough.

Three of Wade's touchdowns came on runs of 50 or more yards, and several of his long gains included moments where he changed direction, sometimes into what seemed like a tougher spot than where he was.

Not the case, according to McElreavy.

"He starts his acceleration before the hole closes and then he has the speed to get down the field," the coach said. "That's something you can't teach. That's something the great tailbacks have.

"To be honest, I always expect that explosion from Noah. He has the uncanny ability of vision or instinct, whatever you want to put a tag on, that he can make it happen on any time. He can make something out of nothing. He can do that and I'm tickled pink for him."

Although his coach was ready to shower him with praise, Wade was quick to pass it on to his teammates.

"I see the holes and I guess you can't teach vision," he said. "Credit the offensive line, they did a great job. Last week helped against Bow, that we had a few passing touchdowns, so (the Lakers) wouldn't stack as many people in the box."

It took a drive for Wade to really get going, as the Lakers were able to stop the Tigers' offense at the 1-yard line on Newport's first possession of the game. But after capping the next drive with a 6-yard touchdown run, Wade scored on four consecutive touches, including the punt return, to give the Tigers control of the game.

"We couldn't stop the bleeding," ILMA coach Jon Francis said. "Our defense, we didn't have an answer for them. It didn't matter, if we put up a hundred, they were gonna put up two hundred."

After coming up short in the final a year ago, Wade and his teammates felt a bit of redemption at getting to hold the championship plaque after an undefeated season.

"Throughout the offseason, and double sessions, every practice, we always had that in the back of our minds," he said. "It means everything. I've always wanted to win a state championship growing up and this is a dream come true."