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PORTAGE -- Portage looked to grab early momentum against Heritage Conference favorite River Valley after scoring the game's first touchdown less than three minutes into the game.
Nonetheless, the high-powered Panthers offense was quick to respond.
River Valley regained the upper hand by scoring four consecutive first-quarter touchdowns en route to compiling 481 yards of offense and cruising to a 56-26 victory over the Mustangs on Friday night.
"For us to go out there and compete against a team like this, we knew it was going to be a challenge," Portage coach Marty Slanoc said. "We never walk into a game thinking we can't compete against someone. We played against a talented and well-coached team, and they got the best of us tonight."
Play of the game: The Mustangs found the end zone on quarterback Easton Slanoc's 35-yard touchdown run with 9:02 left in the opening quarter, as Portage led 6-0 following a failed two-point conversion.
Portage then stuffed River Valley on back-to-back run plays to open the ensuing possession, but on third-and-long, Panthers wideout Brendan Brezinski made a leaping one-handed catch, shook off his defender and raced for a 59-yard touchdown to kickstart the offensive onslaught.
"Brezinski's catch definitely turned the game around right away," River Valley coach Ed Dalton said. "That play was making something out of nothing. They had us at third and forever, and we threw up a Hail Mary trying to hit a post route. That catch gave us the momentum, and we were able to keep it."
The Panthers scored four touchdowns in a span of 5:24 to lead 28-6 through one quarter, aided by recovering two Portage fumbles on the kickoff.
"We came out and got six points, then we had them at third and long," coach Slanoc said. "Give that kid credit, he made a heck of a one-handed catch, and then we fumbled the next kickoff. They were able to take advantage of our miscues, and that gave them the opportunity to pull away."
Players of the game: River Valley's offense was highlighted by a trio of runners, as the Panthers combined to tally 397 yards on the ground.
Jake Woodring (114 yards) and Brody Hutter (102) each eclipsed the century mark, while Hunter Adair chipped in 89 yards.
Woodring scored three touchdowns, with Hutter and Adair each finding the end zone twice. The Panthers had five scoring plays of 32 or more yards, highlighted by Woodring's 62-yard scamper in the first quarter.
"We're big up front, and our backs run very hard," Dalton said. "We have a lot of good, well-rounded players, but the O-line has been the hero the last two weeks. We're at right now where we thought we'd be at the start of the season."
Notable: Slanoc ran for 96 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Portage offense ... Dominic Berardinelli returned a fumble 50 yards for a touchdown for the lone points of the fourth quarter ... River Valley picked up its third straight win over Portage.
Records: River Valley (3-1), Portage (2-2).
Next week: River Valley takes on Homer-Center; Portage hosts Conemaugh Township.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
River Valley 28 14 14 0 -- 56
Portage 6 6 6 8 -- 26
First Quarter
P--Slanoc 35 rush (Conversion failed), 9:02.
RV--Brezinski 59 pass from Persichetti (Heckathorn kick), 7:33.
RV--Woodring 4 rush (Heckathorn kick), 6:23.
RV--Woodring 62 rush (Heckathorn kick), 4:12.
RV--Adair 32 rush (Heckathorn kick), 2:09.
Second Quarter
P--Slanoc 35 rush (Conversion failed), 6:33.
RV--Woodring 35 rush (Heckathorn kick), 4:44.
RV--Hutter 5 rush (Heckathorn kick), 0:51.
Third Quarter
P--Slanoc 5 rush (Conversion failed), 10:43.
RV--Hutter 39 rush (Heckathorn kick), 9:28.
RV--Adair 39 rush (Heckathorn kick), 6:08.
Fourth Quarter
P--Berardinelli 50 fumble recovery (Ferrero run), 11:47.
TEAM STATISTICS RV P
First downs 21 7
Total yards 481 183
Rushes-yards 44-397 23-104
Yards passing 84 79
Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 3-4-1 6-14-0
Punts-avg. 0-0.0 6-30
Fumbles-lost 2-2 4-3
Penalties-yards 2-25 1-5
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--River Valley, Hutter 9-102, Woodring 8-114, Adair 6-89, Persichetti 2-5, Wano 3-16, Helaire 3-14, Haupt 1-9, Stewart 2-4, Howell 7-23, Cornman 2-19, Olsen 1-2. Portage, Slanoc 7-96, Munyon 7-5, Gathers 5-9, Burkett 1-0, Berardinelli 3-(-6).
PASSING--River Valley, Persichetti 3-4-84-1-1. Portage, Slanoc 6-14-79-0-0.
RECEIVING--River Valley, Brezinski 1-59, Adair 1-24, Hutter 1-1. Portage, Gathers 2-52, Kick 1-4, Berardinelli 2-23, Munyon 1-0.