By TONY KEIM
PORTAGE — Mike Sinosky rushed for 147 yards, three touchdowns and the school rushing record as the Mustangs galloped past North Star 61-6 Friday night.
“He’s a very special kid and it was a very special night for him,” said Mike Chobany, who held the school career rushing record for 33 years until Friday night.
The record-breaking play came with 6:50 left in the third quarter as Sinosky gained 21 of his game-high 147 yards. It was his final carry of the game, and one of the most memorable of his career.
“There have been a lot of great running backs in Portage history including Coach (Gary) Gouse, Coach (Josh) Burkett, Coach (Marty) Slanoc, Ryan Kovach and of course Mike Chobany,” Sinosky said. “I’m honored to be mentioned in the same breath with them.”
Sinosky got to work on the Mustangs’ first offensive drive of the game. After Ryan Scoran returned an interception to the Cougars’ 38 yard line, Sinosky capped off the drive with a
5-yard touchdown run and then added the extra point to give the Mustangs an early 7-0 lead.
The ensuing Cougars’ possession once again was halted by a Mustangs’ interception. Todd Crum returned the pickoff to the Cougars’ 19.
Sinosky scored his second touchdown of the night and added his second extra point to give the Mustangs a quick 14-0 lead. The Mustangs added a third rushing touchdown of the first quarter as Jason Kostan sprinted by the Cougars’ defense from 54 yards out. Sinosky tacked on the point after attempt.
Sinosky got right back to work in the second quarter. After recovering a fumble at the Cougars’ 32 yard line, Sinosky ran the ball in from 33 yards out and added the extra point to put the Mustangs up 28-0.
Chobany had held the career mark of 4,017 yards since 1976.
Sinosky’s record now stands at 4,026.
“There aren’t many 4,000 yard rushers in the history of the state of Pennsylvania, and for him (Sinosky) to accomplish that, it truly is an honor,” said Gouse, the Mustangs’ head coach.
Josh Kuncher, who led the Cougars with 102 yards on the ground, got 51 of those and the lone Cougars’ touchdown of the night to cut the deficit.
The Mustangs accounted for all of the points in the second half. They scored on runs of 16 by Kostan, 28 by Crum and 1-yard by Evan Price. Senior Corbin Corrente ended the night’s scoring with a 27-yard fumble recovery with less than a minute left in the game.
“It was just a special day and night for all of us,” Gouse said.
“We honored the 1949 team with a banquet and spaghetti dinner and then right before the game started the rain quit and we were able to show our appreciation to them.
“I don’t know if our feet ever left the ground after all of the emotion in the locker room pregame.”
