It didn’t take long for Lowell’s Ethan Igras to make an impact.
In his season debut, the junior quarterback completed 8 of 10 passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns Friday night as the visiting Red Devils topped Portage 20-7.
Igras, who started last season as a sophomore for Lowell (2-0), was suspended for last week’s opener against Crown Point and the scrimmage for unspecified reasons.
“We didn’t miss a beat from last season,” Igras said. “We just picked up where we left off. We knew we had to bring it. Portage is a good team.”
Lowell coach Keith Kilmer praised the work of Payton Schreiber in Igras’ absence and for pushing him.
“That’s what we expect out of a returning starter,” Kilmer said. “He’s a kid who led us to semistate. You want him to be poised. He has a lot to make up to his team.”
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Senior tight end Mitchell Wildman had four catches for 94 yards and a pair of 20-yard TDs. Jaeger Gill had a 69-yarder on a catch-and-run effort.
“You’re going to take what they give you,” Kilmer said. “We have some athletes and we’ve been working on it. We have to take advantage of it. When they put eight guys in the box, let’s utilize those athletes.
“It’s nice to open up the offense and be harder to defend and harder to prepare for.”
Having Igras back agreed with Wildman.
“I have a great connection with him,” Wildman said. “He’s a friend. It’s great to be able to play with all your friends — it’s a family here.”
Lowell also held Portage (0-2) in check after the Indians posted 45 points in a two-point loss to Mishawka last week. The Red Devils have nine returning starters and it showed.
“You have to play disciplined, aggressive and assignment football,” Kilmer said. “That’s what they did. They buy into doing your job.”
Wildman, also a linebacker, rarely comes off the field for Lowell, which got interceptions from Logan O’Hanlon and Indiana recruit Jordan Jusevitch.
“The key in this defense is trust,” Wildman said. “We trust every single player to get their responsibility every single play.”
Portage senior quarterback Anthony Maceo completed 8 of 19 passes for 147 yards and an 18-yard TD to Angel Sanchez. Maceo also rushed for 82 yards on 23 carries. Greg Milledge had four catches for 82 yards.
Indians coach Darren Rodriguez was impressed with the Red Devils’ defense, including junior defensive end Blake Jansky, who was all over the field.
“Up front, their defensive ends played really well,” Rodriguez said. “They’re hard to block and stay in front of them. They’re a good defensive team. We knew that coming in — we weren’t surprised.
“Defensively, we played a lot better. Offensively, maybe we took a step back. But it’s hard to tell because they’re going to be a good defensive team all year.”
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