Younger players chip in for the Portage Mustangs in victory over West Shamokin
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PORTAGE -- Portage coach Marty Slanoc said following his team's win over West Shamokin that the production of his underclassmen players will play a big factor in the Mustangs' success this season.
Multiple key defensive plays from young Mustangs helped Portage corral West Shamokin, 18-7, in a Heritage Conference contest Friday night.
Freshman Dom Berardinelli and sophomore Llheson Walker each tallied an interception for the Mustangs, as Portage recorded three takeaways and forced three turnovers on downs to contain the West Shamokin offense.
"We have a lot of young kids out there that are learning on the fly and getting those emotions of playing in a Friday night game," Slanoc said. "It's all about gaining that experience. I like what we did. I'm sure there's some mistakes, but we'll continue to build."
Player of the game: Portage's Easton Slanoc completed 8 of 14 passes for 153 yards and three scores, while adding another 49 yards on the ground. He opened the game's scoring with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Lucas Gathers.
His 40-yard strike to Teagan Kick gave Portage a 12-7 lead with 5:31 to go in the third, and a 20-yard pass to Walker set the final at the 8:38 mark of the fourth.
"It all comes from up front, the linemen," Easton Slanoc said. "They allow me to succeed and make plays. They deserve all the credit for our offensive production. If we can continue to gel and come together as a team, we'll really be able to show what we're capable of."
Unsung heroes: The Portage defense picked up for the Mustangs' offense, which struggled early on matching up with West Shamokin's physical line.
Portage's first drive of the game resulted in minus-18 total yards after two negative runs and a holding penalty. The Mustangs got on the board late in the first quarter to lead 6-0, and the score held until halftime after Portage turned the ball over on downs and had a drive stall before the break.
"You never know how you're going to match up physically in Week 1," coach Slanoc said. "We watched (West Shamokin) in their scrimmage with River Valley. They gave us some plays, but they are physical and they bring a punch. That team, from what I've seen, is much improved from last year."
Most vital statistic: West Shamokin turned the ball over three times in Portage territory, two coming on downs and had a pass intercepted in the end zone.
West Shamokin coach Phil Parks: "We told the kids to be ready for a four-quarter football game, and that's exactly what it was. We marched the ball down the field a couple times, got the ball in the red zone, but then shot ourselves in the foot. We're right there, we just have to finish."
Notable: West Shamokin has now lost 13 consecutive games dating back to October 2023 ... Walker led the Mustangs with 65 rushing yards ... Gathers tallied three receptions for 65 yards ... Layton Munyon recovered a fumble for Portage.
Records: West Shamokin (0-1), Portage (1-0).
Next week: West Shamokin hosts Conemaugh Township; Portage travels to Marion Center.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
West Shamokin 0 0 7 0 -- 7
Portage 6 0 6 6 -- 18
First Quarter
P--Lucas Gathers 19 pass from Easton Slanoc (Kick failed), 2:46.
Third Quarter
WS--Cole Wingard 68 run (Charlie King kick), 8:37.
P--Teagan Kick 40 pass from Slanoc (Conversion failed), 5:31.
Fourth Quarter
P--Llheson Walker 20 pass from Slanoc (Kick blocked), 8:38.
TEAM STATISTICS WS P
First downs 11 16
Total yards 261 314
Rushes-yards 33-189 37-161
Yards passing 72 153
Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 3-8-2 8-14-0
Punts-avg. 0-0 2-32
Fumbles-lost 2-1 1-0
Penalties-yards 13-90 9-70
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--West Shamokin, Wingard 14-104, Winghart 2-(-2), Booher 16-78, Oosterling 1-9. Portage, Slanoc 14-49, Gathers 5-38, Munyon 6-0, Berardinelli 4-9, Walker 8-65.
PASSING--West Shamokin, Wingard 3-8-72-0-2. Portage, Slanoc 8-14-153-3-0.
RECEIVING--West Shamokin, Winghart 1-0, Cessna 1-25, Harkleroad 1-47. Portage, Bobolsky 2-28, Kick 1-40, Gathers 3-65, Berardinelli 1-0, Walker 1-20.