Tony Munoz surprised himself a little bit.
The senior linebacker’s interception in the fourth quarter Friday night helped LaPorte pull out a 36-33 Duneland Athletic Conference win against visiting Portage.
In a high-scoring, back-and-forth game, Munoz and the Slicers (6-3, 5-2) came up with just enough stops to hold off the Indians (4-5, 4-3).
With Portage facing a third-and-11 from its 34, Munoz made the pick at the LaPorte 41 with 2:54 left. Drayson Nespo picked up two yards on fourth down to run out the clock for the Slicers.
“I had a little trouble recognizing it at first, but the coaches helped me out,” Munoz said of the interception. “I recognized it, I saw it and I caught the ball.”
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LaPorte coach Dave Sharpe described the interception as the team’s second-best play of the season after last week’s game-winning touchdown pass on the last play against Michigan City.
“He sunk way back and an inside linebacker making a pick 30 yards down the field is a special play,” Sharpe said.
Nespo’s 3-yard TD run with 11:37 left gave the Slicers the 36-33 lead. The senior running back had 128 yards on 30 carries.
Senior quarterback Nolan Lorenz added 81 yards and three TDs on 14 carries. He also completed 3 of 5 passes for 56 yards.
Isaac Alexander had 94 yards on 18 carries. Michael Peeples contirbuted 71 yards on eight carries, including a 50-yard TD run.
Senior quarterback Anthony Maceo shined for the Indians. He completed 8 of 16 passes for 164 yards and three TDs. He also ran for 150 yards on 16 carries, including a 60-yard TD.
“He can run and throw, and that’s a rare commodity,” Sharpe said. “A three-year starter is a rare commodity. He’s awesome.”
Scott Hansen had a 55-yard TD catch for Portage, Greg Milledge added a 33-yarder and Jalen Smith had a 15-yarder. Smith also had a 19-yard TD run.
Portage muffed a punt that led to a LaPorte TD. Leading 26-21, the Indians also had a TD called back on a fumble return and Maceo’s TD run called back because of penalties. They had a field goal blocked on that series.
Portage coach Darren Rodriguez lamented another close loss.
“We have to find a way to finish,” he said. “We have guys who can make plays and we have to make them. It’s disappointing because we’re just as good as those guys, but give them credit.”
LaPorte tied for second in the conference with Michigan City by notching the tight win.
“It’s Duneland football,” Sharpe said. “You have to prepare for it, you have to expect games like that.”
Twitter @MichaelOsipoff