Nitro knocks out Porter Jr., Martinsburg
By James Davis
Colby Porter Jr. delivers one of his four touchdown passes
Colby Porter Jr. threw for a career high four touchdowns against Nitro despite missing most of the third quarter and part of the fourth after getting shaken up while trying to make a tackle after an interception.
Porter Jr. threw three touchdown passes in the first half and had Martinsburg up 21-10 at the break. On Martinsburg's first possession after halftime Porter Jr. threw an out to Geo Sarria but it bounced high off his fingertips and was intercepted. Porter Jr. tried to chase down the Nitro defender but was blindsided by a defensive end and had to be helped off the field. Nitro was flagged for the hit, negating the touchdown, but their offense scored three plays later to make it 21-17.
Freshman backup quarterback Francisco Delacruz struggled in relief with his three possessions ending in a lost fumble, a punt and a pick six.
With just under four minutes left in the game Porter Jr. led the Martinsburg offense back out trailing 21-31.
After a long run by Alex Howell and a run on an option keep Porter Jr. delivered a beautiful pass to Ostrander in the back of the endzone for a 13 yard touchdown with 2:07 left in the game and two timeouts left.
Nitro was able to lean on their strong offensive line and pick up first downs on back to back plays, leaving Martinsburg with no timeouts and 1:40 left on the clock.
Nitro ran twice for eight yards, bringing up a third and two with :37 left, making the upcoming play a game decider.
Nitro once again leaned on their big boys up front and fullback Tylor Davids plowed ahead for a gain of two yards and one inch, effectively ending the game and Martinburg's season.
Porter Jr. completed 10 of 11 pass attempts for 146 yards and a career high four touchdowns, along with the interception. He ran 11 times for 102 yards.
Alex Howell ran the ball 15 times for 78 yards and caught 4 passes for 60 yards and two touchdowns. Ostrander led the team with 63 yards on 4 receptions and also had a touchdown. Tight end Michael Weisbecker caught two passes for 23 yards and a score.
After the game Martinsburg revealed that Porter Jr. was being evaluated for a concussion and eventually was cleared shortly after Delacruz's third possession began.
“It's hard to come so close and not get the win.” Porter Jr. told me after the loss. “I'm super proud of these guys and so stoked that I got the chance to play and grow with them and it was awesome playing for a coaching staff that believed in me and trusted me.”
I spoke to Colby about his plans for next season.
“Honestly I'm not on a lot of school's radars or anything. I haven't put a lot of thought into it so I'd say at this point things are pretty wide open.”
Porter Jr. does not have any division one offers at this time.
“It's crazy.” Martinsburg head coach Gerald Santangelo told me Sunday morning. “He's got a great skill set and he's so coachable and he's such a team player. If he was six foot Nick Saban would be knocking his door down.”
Colby Porter Jr. celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown pass