Shuster has storybook night, Windber pummels Portage

WINDBER -- Windber running back John Shuster's football career can be summed up in many ways. But the senior stalwart of the Ramblers is one thing for sure: electrifying.

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Shuster carried 20 times for 253 yards and three touchdowns, surpassing 6,000 career rushing yards in Windber's 31-0 shutout victory over rival Portage in a Heritage-WestPAC crossover matchup on Friday.

"It means a lot for me, personally," said Shuster, who entered the game needing only 91 yards to reach the mark. "Throughout my whole career, everyone's helped me get to here. I am very thankful for everyone who has helped me and the process in general."

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What it means

Last year's Week 9 matchup appeared to be the final installment of the Windber-Portage rivalry after the Mustangs moved to the Heritage Conference this season.

But because of the crossover week and the WestPAC only having six teams, four teams were added to the Week 10 slate, including Northern Bedford, which assumed the No. 2 WestPAC slot. That bumped Windber down a spot, and with Portage's win in Week 9 over Northern Cambria, it allowed the old rivals to square off one more time.

Windber lined up under center and ran fullback trap on its first play of the game. Meanwhile, the Mustangs lined up in the Ramblers famous single wing look on their first play to pay homage to the end of a truly great rivalry between the two blue bloods of the conference and two programs that made the WestPAC what it was over the years.

“It didn’t go well but to put everything in perspective, this rivalry has been something great over all the years,” Portage coach Marty Slanoc said. “I’m grateful to have been a part of it as a player, a coach and an assistant coach. “As bad as it was, it’s usually a great feeling leaving or a bad feeling leaving, but I have a lot of memories.

"Coach (Matt) Grohal has a great team. They're as good as anybody we've played. They are going to have the opportunity to move on and prove that."

Key plays

In the latter stages of the first quarter, Windber's Lukas Betcher wrapped up Portage quarterback Andrew Miko. While in Bifano's grasp, Miko threw the ball away and was called for intentional grounding to set up fourth-and-long. Miko managed only a 14-yard punt and the Ramblers took over at the Mustangs 32.

Shuster carried three times on the ensuing drive, including an 11-yard touchdown run with 3:07 left in the first to give the Ramblers a 7-0 lead following Bryson Costa's PAT.

Windber increased its lead in the second quarter. Shuster scored his second touchdown of the game on a 35-yard burst down the sideline, and a 14-0 Windber lead with 10:51 left in the second quarter.

On the ensuing kickoff, Trent Nesbella found a crease and raced 80 yards before being brought down by a touchdown-saving tackle by Evan Brady at the 8-yard line. A pass breakup by Jake Hostetler on fourth-and-goal from the 7-yard line, gave the Ramblers the ball back.

Shuster ignited the crowd with a 93-yard touchdown run on the first play following the turnover on downs to give Windber a 21-0 lead with 8:30 remaining in the second quarter following another Costa PAT.

"That was huge," Grohal said of Brady's tackle. "We talked just about the hustle of the sophomore (Brady) who made that play on the return. Never quit because you never know what's going to happen. We turn around, get a goal line stand. That was great for our defense to get challenged like that and get that stop.

"John (Shuster) can go 93 anytime he gets the ball. We had a look we liked, and he did the rest. Just another great game by him."

By the numbers

Windber held Portage to 44 yards of total offense in the first half. ... The Ramblers were called for six penalties, one of which was a holding call that negated a 56-yard Shuster TD run. That is something Windber will need to clean up ahead of the postseason.

Unsung hero

Blake Klosky carried nine times for 73 yards and a touchdown. Klosky has been the lead blocker for Shuster so many times on touchdown runs the past two seasons. However, when Klosky gets his touches, the fullback can be a difference maker as well.

They said it

Grohal spoke highly of Shuster, a player who will certainly go down in the Windber history books as one of, if not the best running back to put on a Ramblers jersey.

"When you talk about 6,000 yards, you're up there with some of the greatest players," Grohal said. "His first game as a freshman, he had 236 (yards) and four touchdowns and three sacks on defense. We knew what kind of player he was going to be. He worked for this accomplishment. He doesn't care about the numbers. He wants to win. It's a great honor."

What's next

Portage (6-4) will compete in the District 6 Class 1A playoffs. Meanwhile, Windber (9-1) hosts Conemaugh Township in the District 5 Class 1A semifinals at 7 p.m. on Friday. The Ramblers rolled past their depleted rival 61-0 in Week 9.

"It's Week 11 so everyone is beat up a little bit so you can throw that out the window," Grohal said of the matchup. "We're going to line up and play football. I don't care who's over there, we're going to play football."

Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on Twitter @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Windber's Shuster reaches another milestone in shutout of Portage