After two games on the road, Portage is heading back home. It'll be an old-fashioned rodeo when Mustangs challenges the Northern Cambria Colts at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, Portage and Northern Cambria will really light up the scoreboard.
Last Friday, even if it wasn't a dominant performance, Portage beat Homer-Center 34-28.
Portage's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Bode Layo led the charge by picking up 98 receiving yards and a touchdown. The bulk of those receiving yards came from one huge play: a catch that gained an incredible 85 yards. Another player making a difference was Easton Slanoc, who picked up ten receiving yards and a touchdown.
Portage didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off three passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Slanoc and Anthony Lawrence.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Northern Cambria). They simply couldn't be stopped on Friday as they easily beat River Valley 48-8 at home. The Colts might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won seven matches by 27 points or more this season.
Northern Cambria had a senior duo take command as Ty Dumm rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown on only eight carries and Nate Fry rushed for 73 yards and two touchdowns.
Portage's win bumped their record up to 4-5. As for Northern Cambria, the victory (which was their fourth in a row) raised their record to 8-1.
Friday's game might be decided in the on the ground. Portage has been excellent on the ground this season, having averaged 154.8 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Northern Cambria struggles in that department as they've been averaging 202.6. It's looking like Friday's matchup might have some serious battles in the trenches.
Portage lost to Northern Cambria at home by a decisive 38-20 margin in their previous matchup back in September of 2023. Will Portage have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more football content.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
