Staub Scores Four Touchdowns as York Catholic Rallies Past Newport, 38-14

York Catholic overcame an early 14-3 deficit and scored 35 unanswered points to defeat Newport 38-14 in a high school football matchup.

Quarterback Michael Staub led the Fighting Irish with three rushing touchdowns and a two-point conversion pass, while Sean Melhorn powered the ground attack with 158 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.

York Catholic’s rushing attack proved to be the difference, as the Fighting Irish piled up 276 yards on 45 carries and finished with 380 yards of total offense.

Newport started quickly, scoring two touchdowns in the opening quarter to build an early 11-point advantage.

Quarterback Logan Bates connected with Johnny Mayeresky on a 26-yard touchdown pass with 8:05 remaining in the first quarter. Bates added the extra point to give Newport a 7-0 lead.

York Catholic answered when Steve Kury connected on a 34-yard field goal with 3:12 remaining, cutting Newport’s lead to 7-3.

However, Newport responded immediately with one of the biggest plays of the game.

Myles Devlin returned the ensuing kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown with 2:57 remaining. Bates converted the extra point, extending Newport’s advantage to 14-3.

The 94-yard kickoff return gave Newport momentum heading into the second quarter, but York Catholic’s defense and rushing attack began to take control.

Staub scored the Fighting Irish’s first touchdown on a one-yard run with 6:56 remaining in the second quarter. Kury converted the extra point, cutting Newport’s lead to 14-10.

York Catholic continued to move the football on the ground, and Staub struck again late in the first half.

With just 14 seconds remaining before halftime, Staub scored on a seven-yard touchdown run. Kury added the extra point, giving the Fighting Irish their first lead of the game, 17-14.

After trailing by 11 points in the opening quarter, York Catholic carried a three-point advantage into the locker room.

The Fighting Irish wasted little time extending their lead in the second half.

Melhorn broke through Newport’s defense for an eight-yard touchdown run just 14 seconds into the third quarter. The extra-point attempt failed following a bad snap, but York Catholic increased its lead to 23-14.

The Fighting Irish continued to rely on their rushing attack as the third quarter progressed.

Staub scored his third rushing touchdown of the game on a six-yard run with 1:46 remaining. He then connected with Gavin Sentz for the two-point conversion, extending York Catholic’s advantage to 31-14.

York Catholic’s defense continued to keep Newport off the scoreboard, preventing the Buffaloes from mounting a comeback.

The Fighting Irish put the finishing touches on their victory early in the fourth quarter.

Guetchine Aristilde scored on a one-yard touchdown run with 11:56 remaining. Kury added the extra point, giving York Catholic a commanding 38-14 lead.

Neither team scored again as the Fighting Irish completed their comeback victory.

Staub was a major factor in York Catholic’s offensive success, carrying nine times for 27 yards and three touchdowns. He also completed 6 of 11 passes for 104 yards and threw one interception.

Melhorn led the Fighting Irish’s rushing attack with 158 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, averaging 8.8 yards per attempt.

Aristilde added 91 rushing yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, giving York Catholic a powerful combination in the backfield.

The Fighting Irish finished with 276 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns from Staub, Melhorn and Aristilde, with Staub accounting for three of those scores.

Through the air, Alex Kipple led York Catholic with four receptions for 49 yards. Blake Yingling added one catch for 28 yards, while Aristilde contributed a 27-yard reception.

Newport’s offense was led by Bates, who completed 9 of 19 passes for 88 yards and a touchdown but was intercepted twice.

Mayeresky was Newport’s leading receiver, catching four passes for 54 yards and a touchdown. Nolan Smith added two receptions for 26 yards, while Devlin caught two passes for six yards.

On the ground, Jameson Cummins led Newport with 57 yards on 11 carries. Bates added 14 yards on six attempts, while Devlin and Landon Cigic each contributed five rushing yards.

Newport finished with 167 yards of total offense, including 79 rushing yards and 88 passing yards.

Defensively, York Catholic came up with several key plays to help turn the game around.

Maddox Gans and Staub each recorded interceptions, while Reid Sinclair registered 1.5 sacks and Camden Fitze added half a sack.

The Fighting Irish held Newport scoreless over the final three quarters after surrendering 14 points in the opening period.

Newport’s defense also produced a takeaway, with Khriztofer Granados intercepting a Staub pass.

However, York Catholic’s ability to control the line of scrimmage and establish its rushing attack proved too much for the Buffaloes.

The Fighting Irish held an 18-13 advantage in first downs and outgained Newport 380-167 in total offense.

York Catholic also dominated on the ground, rushing for 276 yards compared with Newport’s 79.

The Fighting Irish’s defense limited Newport to just one third-down conversion in seven attempts and stopped the Buffaloes on all three fourth-down opportunities.

After Newport jumped out to a 14-3 lead behind Mayeresky’s touchdown reception and Devlin’s 94-yard kickoff return, York Catholic responded with five consecutive touchdowns.

The Fighting Irish scored 14 points in the second quarter, 14 in the third and seven more in the fourth to complete the comeback.

For York Catholic, the victory highlighted a physical rushing attack and a defense that made adjustments after a difficult opening quarter.

Staub’s three rushing touchdowns, Melhorn’s 158-yard performance and Aristilde’s contributions helped the Fighting Irish take control.

In the end, York Catholic’s 35 unanswered points powered the Fighting Irish to a 38-14 victory over Newport.

Scoring Summary

Final: York Catholic 38, Newport 14

First Quarter

• N – Johnny Mayeresky 26-yard pass from Logan Bates (Bates kick), 8:05

• YC – Steve Kury 34-yard field goal, 3:12

• N – Myles Devlin 94-yard kickoff return (Bates kick), 2:57

Second Quarter

• YC – Michael Staub 1-yard run (Kury kick), 6:56

• YC – Michael Staub 7-yard run (Kury kick), 0:14

Third Quarter

• YC – Sean Melhorn 8-yard run (run failed following bad snap), 11:46

• YC – Michael Staub 6-yard run (Gavin Sentz pass from Staub), 1:46

Fourth Quarter

– YC – Guetchine Aristilde 1-yard run (Kury kick), 11:56

Team Statistics

Individual Player Statistics

Rushing

Newport

• Jameson Cummins – 11 carries, 57 yards

• Logan Bates – 6 carries, 14 yards

• Myles Devlin – 1 carry, 5 yards

• Landon Cigic – 3 carries, 5 yards

• Johnny Mayeresky – 2 carries, -2 yards

York Catholic

• Sean Melhorn – 18 carries, 158 yards, 1 TD

• Guetchine Aristilde – 18 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD

• Michael Staub – 9 carries, 27 yards, 3 TDs

Passing

Newport

– Logan Bates – 9-of-19, 88 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs

York Catholic

– Michael Staub – 6-of-11, 104 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT

Receiving

Newport

• Johnny Mayeresky – 4 receptions, 54 yards, 1 TD

• Nolan Smith – 2 receptions, 26 yards

• Myles Devlin – 2 receptions, 6 yards

• Landon Cigic – 1 reception, 2 yards

York Catholic

• Alex Kipple – 4 receptions, 49 yards

• Blake Yingling – 1 reception, 28 yards

• Guetchine Aristilde – 1 reception, 27 yards

Defensive Highlights

Newport

– Khriztofer Granados – 1 interception

York Catholic

• Maddox Gans – 1 interception

• Michael Staub – 1 interception

• Reid Sinclair – 1.5 sacks

• Camden Fitze – 0.5 sack

Special Teams

Newport

• Myles Devlin – 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown

• Logan Bates – 2 extra points

York Catholic

• Steve Kury – 34-yard field goal, 3 extra points

Stats provided by Luke Roman