In the final two minutes of play the Newport Knights had one last chance to capture a comeback victory against the Issaquah Eagles.

The Knights, who trailed the Eagles 34-28, forced an Issaquah punt and gained possession of the ball at their own 13-yard with 1:47 left in regulation. Facing a fourth down with five yards to go, Newport quarterback Brandon Steinberg was tackled at the 21-yard line by Issaquah’s swarming defense two yards short of a first down with 32 seconds remaining on the clock, sealing an Issaquah 34-28 win Oct. 9 in Bellevue. Issaquah improved to 3-3 with the win and Newport dropped to 2-4.

Newport Knights head coach Drew Oliver said his team played well under pressure in a seesaw contest.

“This really is the first close game we have been in all year. I was proud of our effort for four quarters,” Oliver said. “We gave it a great effort and we were really close (to winning). We have a lot of young guys playing and in the long run we’re going to be better for it.”

Trailing Issaquah 34-21 Brandon Steinberg connected with Dylan Murphy on a 21-yard touchdown pass on a jump ball in the corner of the end zone with 2:55 remaining in the game, cutting Issaquah’s lead to 34-28. Murphy outmuscled Eagles’ defensive back Conner Pederson on the play. Pederson had solid coverage, but Murphy was able to come down with the pass keeping Newport in the game at that juncture. Knights’ running back Thomas Day remained optimistic despite the loss to Issaquah.

“Even though it’s a loss it still is an improvement on it own because in the past we have been blown out in our losses. We fought the whole way through and we had our chances,” Day said.

Steinberg also rushed for two scores (36 yards, 62 yards) and running back O’Shae Richard scored on 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

Shaun Scott: 425-453-5045; sscott@bellevuereporter.com