LaPorte may have had its top running back on the shelf, but it didn’t seem that way Friday.
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The Slicers’ three-headed running attack was alive and well in a 27-10 victory over Hobart at Kiwanis Field in LaPorte.
The Slicers (2-0) played without senior Chris Juszkiewicz, who had an emergency appendectomy Tuesday morning and is out three to four weeks.
Even in Juszkiewicz’s absence, the Slicers racked up 347 yards rushing against the Brickies (1-1). Senior running back Brennen Long keyed the attack.
“We all had to step up,” Long said. “Chris is a big part of this offense, but we were four running backs deep. (Juszkiewicz) went down, so everyone stepped up. We have the best rush in the DAC, so we always have someone solid to step in.”
The rushing offense came from up and down the depth chart. Long ran for two touchdowns. Drayson Nespo gained 83 yards on 10 carries. Jacob Cole had a 55-yard carry and an 85-yard TD run.
“We feel like we have a lot of depth at that position,” LaPorte coach Dave Sharpe said. “Brennen and Drayson are going to be work horses for us with Chris out, and Jacob will get a lot more carries.”
Long accounted for the first LaPorte score of the game by plunging into the end zone from 3 yards out with 9:21 left in the first quarter. Nespo then converted a two-point conversion.
Hobart running back Nick Ray gained 167 yards on 26 carries to lead the Brickies. Sophomore running back Carlos Jenkins simulated Ray in practice for LaPorte throughout the week to prepare the defense.
“You can’t stop him, you just can’t give him big plays,” Sharpe said. “We will not see speed like him except when we play Merrillville. We preached to our kids, ‘Nothing over 20 yards.’ “
Hobart quarterback Mickey Wolfe went 13-for-20 for 142 yards. Jared Zanolla paced the Brickies with 105 yards receiving on eight catches.
The Slicers defense followed its “bend-but-don’t-break” philosophy, allowing 299 yards but only 10 points. Hobart’s first TD came with 3:10 left in the game.
“This is a rivalry because we feel like LaPorte and Hobart are kind of identical towns,” Sharpe said. “Their moms and dads work at the same type of places our mom and dads work at. We look forward to continuing this rivalry for years to come.”
Brandon Vickrey is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.