(PORTAGE, INDIANA) - The La Porte football team traveled to Portage Friday, hoping to build on the momentum gained in last week’s 21-12 win over Michigan City. Instead, the Slicers struggled in all phases of the game, falling to Portage 28-6 in the wind and rain.

 

There was no scoring in the first quarter, but plenty of turnovers. Portage lost two fumbles in the La Porte red zone. The Slicers re-gifted the Indians after the 2^nd Portage fumble by losing a fumble at their own 15.

 

Portage took advantage of the Slicer miscue and scored the game’s first points at the 11:20 mark of the 2^nd quarter on a 4^th and goal 2-yard run by Terrell Craft. Adam Melton kicked the extra point, and Portage led 7-0. This 15-yard drive took seven plays.

 

A sensational punt by Jack Doty pinned Portage inside their 1-yard line. From there, the Indians used 12 plays to cover 99 yards. Portage converted on several key 3^rd down plays. The drive was capped off at the 3:06 mark when freshman quarterback Kodie Young hit JoJo Mabon for a 35-yard touchdown pass. Melton’s kick made it 14-0.

 

La Porte couldn’t move the ball on their ensuing possession. After a Doty punt and a Portage penalty, the Indians were on their own 43 with under 40 seconds left in the half. Young found Craft wide open in the middle of the field on their first play. He ran it in untouched for a 57-yard touchdown. Melton’s kick made it 21-0 at the half.

 

The rain picked up in the 2^nd half, and Portage continued to move the ball while the Slicers struggled offensively. Craft scored his 3^rd touchdown at the 3:16 mark of the 3^rd on an 8-yard run capping an 11-play 54-yard drive. Melton’s kick made it 28-0 at the end of 3.

 

The Slicers did get on the board with 4:19 left in the game when Dylan Salisbury hit Tommy Samuelson on a 6-yard pass, capping a 10-play, 48-yard scoring drive. However, Doty’s kick was blocked, and the game ended 28-6 Portage.

 

Salisbury, who was pressured constantly by the Portage rush, was 8-22 for 63 yards passing. Nathan Donah rushed 13 times for 45 yards. Ollie Kring caught three passes for 24 yards and ran for 21 yards on three carries. Drew Flores and Tommy Samuelson each caught two balls for 18 yards. Samuelson scored La Porte’s only touchdown.

 

The Slicers and Portage both finished their regular seasons at 2-7. La Porte was 2-5 in DAC play, and the Indians finished 1-6.

 

Class 5A and 6A teams are all off next Friday. La Porte will host Valpo at Kiwanis Field on the 28^th in the sectional opener.