In a game that saw everything from time consuming sustained drives to key pass receptions, explosive runs, and kick-off returns, the Salamanca Warriors held off the Portville/Cuba-Rushford Panthers 24-19 under the lights Friday night at Vets Park in Salamanca. In a first half that saw Portville take the opening kick-off and put on an impressive drive. A drive which was ended when Salamanca’s Cory Holleran picked off his first of two passes stopping the Panthers at the 4 yard line. It only took the Warriors offense one play to set the tone for big plays when Xavier Peters took the hand-off 96 yards for a TD. Things settled in a bit until there was a little less than 6 minutes left in the half the game and then they took off again Portville stopped the Warriors on a 4th down and took over possession with less than 6 minutes left in the half. The Panthers proceeded to begin dominating play as they methodically drove down to the 5 when on 3rd and goal quarterback #17 Eli Skeggs kept the ball for a touchdown to tie the score at 6-6. The extra point attempt was stuffed by Salamanca. In wasting no time in reestablishing the lead, the ensuing kickoff saw Salamanca’s #20 Jesse Hill catch the ball on the 20, follow some excellent blocking up field, and race down the right sideline for touchdown and a 12-6 Warrior Lead. with 1:38 remaining in the half.
Portville received the Salamanca kick off and began their next, notice not final, possession on their own 33 with approximately 1:30 to play. The Panthers immediately started moving the ball with a QB keeper by Skeggs, a swing pass, and a couple tough runs to bring the ball the warrior 47 with just under :20 seconds remaining. Skeggs capped the drive with a perfect pass to Menhi Muhyee and suddenly the game is tied again at 12-12 with 4 seconds to play. Portville amazingly had one more chance in the first half as they recovered the squib kick-off and took possession on the Warrior 45 but their final hail Mary was intercepted by Salamanca to end the half.
Salamanca received the second half kick and quickly marched down the field in less than 1:30 and retook the lead on a 34-yard keeper off left tackle by QB Maddox Isaac. A failed extra point attempt left the score at 18-12. The Warriors and Panthers couldn’t get anything moving on their next possession each and exchanged punts allowing Portville to take over on their own 28 with 6:42 left in the third quarter. Picking up two key 4th downs, the Panthers put together a 16 play, 72-yard drive that consumed just over 7 minutes and ended with x running off tackle for 4 yards. The Panthers took the lead for the first time 19-18 as the extra point kick was successful.
This lead didn’t seem to last long as the Warriors again returned the Portville kick-off for a touchdown. Unfortunately, a holding penalty brought the play back and Salamanca took over at their own 26-yard line. On the very next play Isaac made everyone forget about the negated TD as he exploded for a 74 yard run off tackle and the Warriors retook the lead 24-19. Portville did everything it could on its final possession including picking up 3 critical third downs but was stopped literally inches short on the Salamanca 15 with just 2:50 to play.
Offensively Salamanca was lead by Maddox Isaac with 10 carries for 148 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Xavier Peters with 8 carries for 123 yards and a score. On defense Cory Holleran was in on 14 tackles and had 2 picks, Zachary Trietley led the way with 11 tackles and 6 assists. Avery Brown and Payton Bradley has has
Salamanca moves to 2-0 overall and 2-0 in league play and Portville falls to 1-1 and 0-1 in the league. The warriors travel to Southwestern next week and Portville will host Falconer/Maple Grove/ Cassadaga valley
