Shannon Morrow
Sports Editor
11/4/2009

    The Portola High School football team continued its dominance of the Mid-Valley League with a 39-6 victory over Quincy last Friday night, extending the Tigers’ undefeated record to 9-0.
    Portola’s time of possession on offense was scant, as the Tigers used their big-play ability to score quickly on several drives. Five of Portola’s six touchdowns went for over 60 yards.

    Despite the loss, Quincy weathered the purple storm better than most other teams that have had to play Portola this season.

    It was a minor victory for Quincy to score against Portola—a feat Portola’s previous six opponents were unable to accomplish.
    The game started unexpectedly when Portola’s offense went three and out, and Quincy’s offense drove down to first-and-goal from Portola’s eight yard line.
    Portola’s defense shored up, Quincy managed five yards over four plays, and the Tigers took over on downs at their own 3-yard line.
    Portola’s offense then found its feet and marched the length of the field, completing the drive with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Dillon Soares. The Tigers botched their PAT attempt, so kicker/running back Alberto Pena carried the ball in for a two-point conversion.
    Quincy’s ensuing drive started well with a big run by Alex Easley, but a fumbled pitch play led to Quincy having to punt.
    As the Tigers have done so many times this season, they scored on their first play of the drive, this time with a 62-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Heskett.
    Portola’s next drive went to Quincy’s 15-yard line, where it hit a fourth down. The Tigers attempted a fake field goal but didn’t make the marker, giving Quincy the ball.
    The Trojans started their drive well with an 18-yard pass to Devonte Smith, but Portola got the ball back with an interception by Heskett.
    The Trojans got the ball right back with an interception of their own, when a Portola pass was deflected into Cody Cline’s hands at the line of scrimmage.
    At this point the second quarter expired, and Portola went into halftime with a 14-0 lead.
    Portola’s two touchdowns in the third quarter looked identical, when Pena twice raced for 60-plus yards into the end zone.
    With his road-runner speed, well-timed cuts and slippery acceleration, Pena frustrated Quincy tacklers all night on his way to 208 yards rushing on 14 carries.
    On Quincy’s ensuing drive, the Trojans made it to Portola’s 25-yard line until another interception by Heskett gave Portola the ball back.
    The Tigers’ offense came onto the field for just one play again, when Mario Rodriguez caught a pass and rumbled 62 yards for a touchdown, hurdling a Quincy player on the way.
    The Trojans’ moved the ball well on their next drive, but stalled out in the red zone again, where they gave the Tigers the ball back at their own 10-yard line.
    After holding Portola to three-and-out, Quincy got the ball back and quarterback Cameron DiazDeLeon broke around the right side and rushed for a 43-yard touchdown.
    DiazDeLeon produced the majority of Quincy’s offense with 27 carries for 132 yards.
    Quincy’s touchdown celebration was short lived, when Pena returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards and then kicked through the PAT for Portola’s final score of the game.
    The Tigers, who usually make PATs like clockwork, had four failed attempts against Quincy before making their last one of the game.
    Portola quarterback Damian Norden completed six of eight passes for 179 yards and three touchdowns.
    The Tigers’ defense was led by Cole Adams with 12 total stops, followed by Chase Shirley with 11, Ehren Bristol and Dillon Soares with nine, Cliff Robinson and Alberto Pena with eight, Erick Miller and Chris Stanton with seven and Heskett with six. Portola captured three sacks.
    This Friday, Portola hosts Colusa and Quincy hosts Esparto.