The Line Mountain (Herndon, PA) varsity football team is set to host Newport (PA) in a conference matchup tonight at 7 p.m.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Pennsylvania High School Football
Who: Line Mountain (PA) vs Newport (PA)
When: Friday, August 29, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch on NFHS Network
Line Mountain, Newport Set for Early-Season Showdown
The Line Mountain Eagles and Newport Buffaloes are both riding the momentum of opening-week victories as they prepare to square off in an early-season conference matchup that promises plenty of intrigue.
Strong Starts for Both Sides
Newport (1-0) opened its 2025 campaign with a 24-19 win, leaning on a strong fourth-quarter push to secure the victory. The Buffaloes showed grit late, outscoring their opponent 14-0 in the final frame, proving they can close out tight games.
Line Mountain (1-0), meanwhile, came out firing in its first contest, rolling to a 38-13 victory. The Eagles dominated the first three quarters with a balanced offensive attack, scoring 14 in the first, 12 in the second, and 12 more in the third before cruising to the finish.
Statistical Matchup
Line Mountain brings one of the most explosive stat lines into this matchup, averaging 426 total yards per game—with quarterback Kaiden Maurer leading the way. Maurer accounted for an eye-popping 217 passing yards per game and 323 total yards, far surpassing national averages. He also connected with receiver Bryce Smeltz, who hauled in 82 receiving yards in the opener.
On the ground, Line Mountain has been equally dangerous, posting 209 rushing yards per game. The offensive balance could pose major problems for Newport’s defense.
Newport, however, has its own playmakers. Dalton Kratzer leads the Buffaloes’ rushing attack with 99 yards per game, while Jordan Weyant has emerged as a reliable target with 93 receiving yards. Defensively, Dylan Vadasz has been the tone-setter with 9 tackles per game, and Justin Still added a sack in Week 1.
Defense Will Be Key
While Line Mountain’s offensive firepower stands out, their defense will also play a key role. Waylon Shaffer (6 tackles per game) and Jackson Kauwell (2 sacks) headline a unit that held its first opponent to just 13 points.
Newport’s defensive front will be tested early and often, as Line Mountain’s quick starts in the opening quarters put pressure on teams to keep pace. Newport’s tackling numbers (53 per game) suggest they’ll be active and aggressive, but containing Maurer’s dual-threat ability will be the ultimate challenge.
What’s at Stake
Both teams enter at 1-0 overall and 0-0 in league play, making this a crucial momentum-builder before diving deeper into their conference schedules. With common opponents like Juniata, Camp Hill, and Steelton-Highspire looming later in the season, Friday’s contest could set the tone for how each program navigates its schedule.
Final Word
Newport’s resilience and late-game execution make them a dangerous opponent, but Line Mountain’s offensive versatility and playmaking quarterback give them a strong edge. If the Buffaloes can slow down Maurer and control the tempo with Kratzer’s ground game, they’ll have a shot to pull off the upset. Otherwise, the Eagles’ firepower could prove too much to handle.
