Portagers trip up Bobcats with Late Rally
By MATT WENZEL, Sports Editor
BRETHREN — One week after having its homecoming
tarnished with a heartbreaking loss, the Onekama High School football
team served as homewreckers with a 16-7 win over Brethren.
It was the Portagers’ lowest winning-point total since 2003, but that
made little difference to the jubilant team that snapped a four-game
losing streak.
“We really needed this,” said senior Zach Teachout, who scored on a
46-yard fumble recovery late in the fourth quarter. “We played well as a
team and we really came together tonight. It felt good to win.”
As sweet as the win felt for the Portagers (3-4, 3-1), it was equally as
sour for the Bobcats (1-6, 1-1), who lost their fourth-straight game.
After scoring midway through the second quarter, Brethren seemed to have
the upper hand most of the game until their homecoming fell apart in the
final five minutes when Onekama scored 16 points in 12 seconds.
After trading field position and turnovers in the first quarter,
Brethren took the lead with an 11-play, 61-yard drive that spanned 6:46.
Brethren junior quarterback Wade Milnickel threw a 15-yard touchdown
pass to senior Myles Burns, and Brennan O’Keefe added the extra point
for the 7-0 lead with 6:46 left in the second quarter. Milnickel
finished the game 6-18 for 59 yards, with a touchdown and interception.
 |
Onekama responded with a lengthy drive, but it stalled late and the
Portagers turned the ball over on downs with 3 seconds left in the first
half.
“It was very frustrating going into the halftime down 7-0,” said
Onekama coach Jim Hunter. “We didn’t make a million adjustments at
halftime, other than attitude.”
Brethren converted a successful fake punt late in the third quarter to
help sustain a lengthy 12-play drive, but it ultimately resulted in a
turnover on downs with 8:52 left in the game.
With time starting to run out on the Portagers, junior quarterback Dan
Gillespie threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to freshman Adrian Norman.
Sophomore Travis Teachout ran in the 2-point conversion to give Onekama
an 8-7 lead with 5:09 left.
Gillespie finished the game 3-10 for 64 yards to go with a touchdown
and interception.
On Brethren’s next play from scrimmage, Zach Teachout scooped up a
fumble and returned it for the score. “A scoop and score is always
nice,” Hunter said. “We caught a couple breaks, which this team
desperately needed.”
Travis Teachout scored on the 2-point conversion to give the Portagers a
16-7 lead with 4:57 remaining. When Brethren fumbled the ensuing
kickoff, the game was all but over as the Portagers held on for the win
to close their league schedule. “I just give these kids a ton of
credit,” Hunter said. “It’s been a long time coming.”
Notes: Onekama outgained Brethren 237-180. Onekama’s Jake Matthews led
the Portagers in rushing with 64 yards on 11 carries, while Joerdon
Daldos had nine carries for 49 yards. |
