Bears rally for 20-13 win over Portage Central

(St. Joseph) – After a win on the road at Okemos a week ago. St. Joe returned home to face an old rival, an inexperienced Portage Central team. Portage Central playing with their full roster for the first time this season after a positive COVID-19 test prompted them to forfeit their opening game against East Lansing, and more than a dozen players and coaches missing their contest against Battle Creek Lakeview while under quarantine.

Portage Central took full advantage of their excitement of getting on the field, the Portage Central defense forced St. Joe to a turnover on downs, starting their opening possession on the St. Joe 47-yard line. Six plays later Devin Porter scored the first points for the Mustangs this season when he ran for an 18-yard touchdown, with the PAT, Portage Central had a 7-0 lead. This marked the first time St. Joe had not led and the first time the opponent scored first.

St. Joe would turn the ball over on downs again on the next possession. Then the two teams would trade turnovers on consecutive plays. PC quarterback Grant Pikkart was intercepted by Preston Nichols at the Bears 15-yard line. But St. Joe quarterback Troy Pratley was hit and fumbled the ball, which was recovered by the Mustangs at the Bears 8-yard line.

Porter then scored on the next play for Portage Central, but the PAT was missed and the Mustangs had a 13-0 lead still in the first quarter.
St. Joe’s turnover issues continued on the next drive as Conner Savenas fumbled away the ball three plays later. The St. Joe defense stood up and forced the punt. Pikkart’s punt was downed at the St. Joe 1-yard line, forcing a St. Joe punt 3 plays later.

With excellent field position again, Portage Central had an opportunity to add to their score but St. Joe would stop the Mustangs, forcing a field goal attempt. Aaron Pollack’s 28-yard attempt was wide left.

Late in the 2nd quarter. St. Joe finally got the offense in gear and went on a 10 play, 55-yard drive, capped off by a 6 yard touchdown pass from Troy Pratley to Griffin Shinrock. Reese Uzelac made the extra point and the Mustangs lead was cut to 13-7 with just :18 seconds left before halftime.

St. Joe would make the proper adjustments at the half, forcing back to back three and outs from Portage Central, before Pratley threw another touchdown pass to Shinrock, this from 16-yards out. The PAT was blocked, and the game was tied at 13-13 with 2:35 left in the third quarter.

Back and forth the teams traded punts and turnover on downs. Until St. Joe got the ball at midfield following a short punt from Portage Central.

St. Joe would drive down the field, with the help of three personal foul penalties on Central. Nine plays later, Pratley ran the ball himself for a 1-yard touchdown run, the Uzelac PAT gave St. Joe their first lead of the game at 20-13.

Portage Central’s next two drives would end in turnovers as Sam Simpson forced Pikkart to fumble the ball at the Portage Central 48, Joe Brown recovered.

St. Joe would have to punt on the next drive, giving Portage Central the ball back at their own 43-yard line with 2:14 left in the game. Pikkart would fumble on the first play, however the Mustangs would recover their own fumble, but Brennan Kerns sealed the St. Joe victory when he intercepted Pikkart on the next play. St. Joe would take a knee on the next three plays and completed the comeback for a 20-13 win.

The win improves the Beard record to 3-0, while Portage Central falls to 0-3. St. Joe now prepares for rivalry week as the Bears will next travel to Lakeshore next Friday night.

St. Joe is back on the road next week to face Battle Creek Lakeview (1-5), who lost at Lakeshore 13-0.