(La Porte, IN) - The Slicers defense threw a shutout and Keli Hay returned a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns giving LP a 12-0 win over Portage at a windy and soggy Kiwanis Field Friday Night.
The speedy Hay opened the game with a bang. The Indians won the coin and deferred possession until the second half. Hay took the kickoff at the 16-yard line in the middle of the field, cut toward the right sideline, and outran the Indians for the 84-yard score. Jack Doty’s extra point kick was blocked, making the score 6-0 LP just 13 seconds into the game.
The remainder of the first quarter plus the entire second and third quarters were battles for field position and turnovers as neither team was able to score.
The Slicers and Hay picked up their second score with 9:52 remaining in the game. Portage was forced to punt from near midfield. Hay caught the ball at the 5, beat containment on the right side, and sprinted 95 yards to the end zone. La Porte’s two-point conversion failed leaving the score at 12-0.
The wet, windy, and cold conditions made ball handling treacherous. The Slicers had five takeaways, two interceptions by Hay, one by Cam Neal plus fumble recoveries by Kai Jones and Malachi Washington. La Porte fumbled four times but lost just one.
Portage dominated time of possession and yardage gained but La Porte’s bend but don’t break defense never let the Indians inside the 25-yard line. The Slicer offense struggled to move the ball finishing with 65 yards of total offense.
The bulk of it came on a 44-yard pass from Aiden Penziol to Drew Flores. The Slicer offense did pick up some key rushing first downs by Flores in the game’s final minutes milking the clock.
Flores, who split time at quarterback with Penziol, was 2-4 passing for minus 2 yards. He caught a 44-yard pass and ran 16 times for 27 yards. Penziol was 1-6 passing connecting on the 44-yarder to Flores.
Hay, with his two kick return touchdowns and two interceptions, was named the Salisbury and Spence, Edward Jones player of the game. He actually had a third interception that was ruled incomplete. Video from the LPHS Radio/TV broadcast showed he made the catch.
The Slicers played without leading receiver, kick returner, and holder Ollie Kring who was out with an injury.
The Slicers, who finish the regular season at 2-7, have next Friday off. They will open sectional play at 7:00 pm on October 27th against Michigan City at Kiwanis Field. That game can be heard on WCOE 96.7 The Eagle with pregame beginning at 6:45.
