Onekama High School Football 2011

Portagers can’t keep up with Panthers

Posted by Dylan Savela
Manistee News Advocate

ONEKAMA — Heading into the half down 14-0, Onekama knew it had to keep an eye out for opportunities that could potentially turn the tide.

But when one would present itself, the Portagers came up just short of cashing in during Friday’s 21-8 loss to Frankfort in Onekama’s season finale.

“We got hurt on a handful of big plays,” Onekama coach Jim Hunter said after the loss. “I guess the most frustrating part about it was there was a lot of great efforts wasted at times. Several opportunities, we just couldn’t cash in on.”

The Panthers (7-2) established their first-half lead with a pair of rushing scores — the first at 3:18 in the first quarter and the second at 4:19 in the second — while Onekama’s running tandem of Quinn Matthews and Tyler Fogarty were relatively kept in check for most of the night.

Fogarty ran for 50 yards on 12 carries while Matthews ran for 33 on seven.

“They’re a very good team,” Hunter said. “We struggled a little with them up front on both offense and defense.”

Onekama quarterback, Tyler Johnson made his first start under center while filling in for senior Adrian Norman who was unavailable. Johnson was 6-for-20 passing with a touchdown toss.

The Portagers (4-5) started the second half with an onside kick they nearly recovered. But after the pileup was cleared, it was determined Frankfort had possession.

The Panthers put together a seven-play drive that consisted of three fourth down plays, including the fourth-and-20 they converted for a touchdown to go up 21-0.

“You’ve got to get off the field,” Hunter said of the drive. “They’re too good to give them another shot. It was frustrating.

“For the most part, though,” he added. “Our defense was able to stop them from establishing any sort of running game. The defensive strategy kept us in the game, but we just couldn’t get over the hump. It wasn’t for lack of effort though, I’m very proud of the kids.”

Johnson connected with receiver Drew Slevin for an eight-yard touchdown at 8:38 in the fourth to narrow the gap, but it was too little, too late.

Fogarty stayed busy on the defensive end for the Portagers, garnering 32 tackles to go with a forced fumble and an interception he took 40 yards before being brought down.