United Valley shuts out Portage
Tagged under: District 6, Game Photos-Videos, Gameday Hub, News
Josh Krise | October 5, 2024
On a crisp October day in Portage, PA, the Portage Mustangs hosted the United Valley Lions in a Week 7 Heritage Conference matchup. It looked as if it was going to be a low scoring affair in the first quarter but United Valley found their momentum after an interception by Dylan Stephens led them down to the Portage four yard line late in the first quarter, from there on United dominated the game.
Portage entered this game looking to end a two game losing streak, to open the game Portage elected to receive the kickoff in hopes to get their offense working early in this game. Portage’s first possession of the game ended with a punt. For most of the first quarter it was a game of punting and turnovers, after Portage punted on their first drive of the night, United Valley was unable to convert on fourth down, leading to a turnover on downs. Portage gave the ball back to United Valley after failing to convert on fourth down themselves. Dylan Stephens fumbled allowing Portage to recover, but Stephens redeemed himself, intercepting a pass from Portage quarterback, Owen Gouse, late in the first quarter. Stephens proceeded to set the United Valley offense up at the Portage four yard line, leading to the first score of the game, a successful PAT gave United Valley a 7-0 lead heading into the second quarter.
United Valley kicked off to Portage and recovered a fumble, allowing for Collin Nedrich of United to score a rushing touchdown to extend the lead 14-0. Portage’s offense could not find any rhythm all night which allowed for United Valley’s Dimitri Worthington to score on a quarterback keep with 1:35 left on the clock in the second quarter. Now United Valley led 21-0.
United Valley was able to convert on a 3rd & 11 with 9:25 remaining in the third quarter which led to a Dylan Stephens 13 yard rushing touchdown with 6:04 left, extending the lead to 28-0. That would be the last time either team scored and it proved to be enough for United Valley. Portage turned the ball over on downs with 4:04 in the third, and with 11:49 in the fourth. Late in the fourth quarter United Valley fumbled the ball twice but the defense was able to keep Portage from finding the endzone.
The 28-0 victory gave United Valley its third straight victory in 3 weeks, and its third straight victory over Portage in three years. United has defeated portage in 2022, 2023, and 2024. United Valley improves to 4-3 while Portage falls to 2-5.
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