Portage Survives Thriller Against Homer-Center

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Baron Dionis | October 19, 2024

The Portage Mustangs secured a playoff spot by taking down the Homer-City Wildcats with a final score of 34-28.

A back and forth battle in a near three hour contest between two teams fighting for a postseason berth. Portage was led by Easton Slanoc, who had two interceptions, a pick-six, a passing touchdown, and a receiving touchdown.

”He [Slanoc] was our starting quarterback,” Portage Coach Marty Slanoc said. “He had a fractured wrist about three weeks ago and he’s been progressing, doing whatever he could. He’s been playing his role. We gave him a jet sweep and he threw a touchdown pass. I’m really happy for him because he’s a good kid who shows up and works hard.”

After a first quarter of two first downs, a flip switched and made up for a very exciting second. 

Portage got off to a quick 13 point lead to open the second quarter with a one yard run from Noah Willinsky. Two plays later, Easton Slanoc picked off a pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown. 

“We had a big interception for a touchdown,” said Slanoc. “We had the opportunity to make a play. Was just a battle back and forth. Lot of big plays by a lot of guys and we were able to come out on top.”

Down 13, Homer-Center responded with a big strike from Carson Arone to Riley Cobaugh for a 48 yard touchdown. Cobaugh would add a 35 yard catch to his big first half.

A few defensive stops for both teams led to the final two minutes of the half. Portage had the ball, but the Mustangs threw an interception to Brady Frazer. 

Arone threw up a deep ball as the clock hit zero, but it was then picked off by Portage defensive back Anthony Lawrence who returned it from goal line to goal line before being tackled, which was yards away from a touchdown heading into halftime. 

To open the half, Portage had three bad snaps and the third was picked up by Brady Frazer, who took it all the way for a touchdown. He then kicked the extra point to give Homer-Center a 14-13 lead.

The Mustangs fumbled again, but the Wildcats were unable to score. Once Portage got the ball back, Owen Gouse hit Bode Layo on a screen and then took it all the way for an 85 yard touchdown. 

The kickoff included three penalties, including two unsportsmanlike conducts that led to Homer-Center losing their head coach for the rest of the game.

That helped Portage get good field position, leading to Slanoc hitting Gavin Bobolsky for a 31 yard touchdown.

Exchanging strikes, Homer-Center had a 66 yard touchdown from Shawn Valuchuck, Portage had Gouse hit Slanoc for a nine yard touchdown, and the Wildcats got another on a 64 yard pass from Arone to Cobaugh. This made the score 34-28, with less than six minutes remaining.

Homer-Center got the stop they needed, but an interception from Slanoc ended the game.

Homer-Center dropped to 2-7 and will take on Conemaugh Township next week. Portage advances to 4-5 and take on Northern Cambria next week.

“We’ll look at it,” Coach Slanoc said. “We got a really good Northern Cambria team next week at home. It’s our senior night, we’ll celebrate our guys, and it looks like we’ll play them the following week in the playoffs. We’ve battled with them the last few years. We’ll lick our wounds and see if we can get some guys healthy and back next week and go from there.”

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