Trending
PORTAGE -- After receiving the ball to start the second half trailing by seven, Portage was in prime position to swing the game's momentum back into the Mustangs' favor with one solid drive.
Unfortunately, an opening drive punt followed by two fumbles and three turnovers on downs dug the Mustangs into an insurmountable hole, as Portage fell to Conemaugh Township, 39-6, on Friday night.
"I really liked where we were to start the second half, getting the ball down one score," Portage coach Marty Slanoc said. "They had more punch coming out in the second half than we came out with, and really, that forces those mistakes, those fumbles. It made us think and get under pressure."
Play of the game: Township sophomore defensive end Landon Huffman recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown with four minutes to go in the third quarter.
It was Conemaugh Township's second score in a 26-second span, which put the Indians ahead 26-6.
"This was my first game playing defensive end, so I honestly didn't know what to expect," Huffman said. "I know linemen don't get the ball much, if at all, so getting that opportunity to score was great. I know all of us have been working hard and we play as a team. That's what makes us great."
Player of the game: Township running back Brennan Lohr rushed for 172 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries.
Lohr scored on a pair of 2-yard touchdown runs, the first giving the Indians a 13-6 lead going into halftime, and the latter putting the game out of reach in the fourth quarter.
Unsung heroes: The Indians' defense recovered three fumbles and forced three turnovers on downs by the Portage offense.
Township recorded five pass breakups, including three attempts that were swatted down by the Indians defensive line.
The Indians also blocked two of Portage's five punts, as Conemaugh Township had five total possessions start in Mustangs territory.
"Our defense played solid," Township coach Brandon Studer said. "They've been our herd so far this year. When you play Portage, you know they're always in the game and they can always spring a big play.
"We challenged our defense this week to stay home, read your keys and don't do anything outside of what your job is. They definitely did that tonight and executed fantastically."
Most vital statistic: Township held a 7-6 lead midway through the second quarter then followed with 32 unanswered points over the final two-and-a-half frames.
Studer: "This one could've gone two ways. We started 2-0, then dropped two in a row. It definitely doesn't get any easier from here with the second half of the schedule. I told the boys that this week was a must-win, and they responded to that."
Slanoc: "Coming back is what it's all about. It's never easy week in and week out. We're going to get after it. I've seen a lot of teams find themselves halfway through the season in the Heritage and get deep into the playoffs. We'll continue to grow and improve and do the best we can."
Lohr: "This game helped us get right back to where we need to be both physically and mentally going into these next few key games we have."
Notable: Easton Slanoc scored Portage's lone touchdown on a 13-yard run ... Layton Munyon led the Mustangs with 90 rushing yards.
Records: Conemaugh Township (3-2); Portage (2-3).
Next week: Conemaugh Township travels to Marion Center, Portage visits Penns Manor.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Conemaugh Twp. 7 6 13 13 -- 39
Portage 0 6 0 0 -- 6
First Quarter
CT--Bambino 26 pass from Studer (Sotosky kick), 1:48.
Second Quarter
P--Slanoc 13 run (Conversion failed), 6:44.
CT--Lohr 2 run (Kick blocked), 2:01.
Third Quarter
CT--Studer 8 run (Sotosky kick), 4:26.
CT--Huffman 14 fumble recovery (kick failed), 4:00.
Fourth Quarter
CT--Lohr 2 run (kick failed), 9:47.
CT--Murray 44 run (Sotosky kick), 0:24.
TEAM STATISTICS CT P
First downs 17 11
Total yards 387 245
Rushes-yards 46-325 41-212
Yards passing 62 33
Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 4-10-0 4-13-0
Punts-avg. 2-38 5-20
Fumbles-lost 3-2 4-3
Penalties-yards 6-50 6-48
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Conemaugh Township, Shippey 5-28, Studer 10-56, Lohr 25-172, Bambino 2-10, Richardson 2-8, McKee 1-7, Murray 1-44. Portage, Slanoc 9-16, Berardinelli 4-7, Walker 6-58, Gathers 9-41, Munyon 13-90.
PASSING--Conemaugh Township, Studer 4-10-62-1-0. Portage, Slanoc 4-13-33-0-0.
RECEIVING--Conemaugh Township, Lohr 1-21, Bambino 1-26, Valentine 2-15. Portage, Berardinelli 1-0, Munyon 1-9, Sciko 1-20, Kick 1-4.