Jesse Blair of Niantic Sangamon Valley blasts down the sidelines after a reception against PORTA in Illiopolis Friday, Sept. 9, 2011. Jason Johnson / The State Journal Register
VIDEO: Sangamon Valley's Eric Leonard and Dan Rentschler on win over PORTA
VIDEO: Rededication of Jerry Smalling Field in Illiopolis
ILLIOPOLIS — Eric Leonard didn’t come out for football at Niantic Sangamon Valley High School until his junior year. Now a senior, Leonard is making up for lost time — and giving the Storm an extra weapon in the process.
Leonard, also a track standout, used his speed to score three touchdowns Friday night to lead Sangamon Valley to a 28-7 Sangamo Conference victory over the Petersburg PORTA Bluejays.
The Storm’s other touchdown was scored by senior running back Dan Rentschler on a 1-yard run in the second quarter.
Rentschler, slowed by an ankle injury, totaled 47 yards on 14 carries and moved into the top spot on Sangamon Valley’s career rushing list.
Rentschler has 4,276 career yards, pushing him past the previous Sangamon Valley best of 4,235 by 2008 graduate Ross Johnson.
The game was played at Jerry Smalling Field in Illiopolis, where halftime ceremonies were held to re-dedicate the field in Smalling’s memory after the longtime Illiopolis coach died earlier this year.
Leonard’s touchdowns came on a 67-yard interception return in the first quarter; a 16-yard pass reception from quarterback Nick Craig in the second period, and a 55-yard punt return in the third. The latter play was aided by key blocks by freshman Laney Martin and senior Kyle Shartzer.
“Coming into tonight, I knew that (Rentschler) wouldn’t be at full speed — at least not the Dan we’re used to,’’ Leonard said. “So I wanted to chip in and do my part, and it worked out.
“Now we want to keep healthy and try to keep it rolling.’’
Sangamon Valley is 2-1 overall and 2-0 in the Sangamo, while PORTA slipped to 0-3 and 0-2. The Bluejays, still trying to find their rhythm offensively, went with sophomore Nate Wenda at quarterback at the start. But he exited early in the second quarter due to an ankle injury.
Senior Nytro Glover, originally at running back, moved to the quarterback spot and gave the Bluejays a spark as he guided them on a 14-play, 71-yard scoring drive capped by Alec Sutton’s 2-yard touchdown plunge midway through the second quarter. Glover eventually carried 25 times, mostly from the shotgun formation, for 118 yards.
But PORTA couldn’t overcome five turnovers, while the Storm had just one.
“We were worried about (Sangamon Valley’s) speed,’’ PORTA coach Rich McMahan said. “Leonard’s a great track kid.
“The ball’s not bouncing our way right now, but Nytro was a positive with his running. And defensively, we didn’t play too bad at times. We just gave up some big plays.’’
SV — Eric Leonard 67 interception return (Casey Lyon kick)
SV — Dan Rentschler 1 run (Casey Lyon kick)
SV — Eric Leonard 16 pass from Nick Craig (Casey Lyon kick)
SV — Eric Leonard 55 punt return (Casey Lyon kick)
RUSHING: Petersburg PORTA (41-150) — Nytro Glover 25-118, Alec Sutton 9-26, Trevor Osborn 2-11, Jesse Setzer 3-7, Nate Wenda 2-(-12). Niantic Sangamon Valley (46-182) — Dan Rentschler 14-47, Nick Craig 9-44, Andrew Urbanowicz 7-33, Laney Martin 4-23, Austin Klaus 1-19, Blake Walters 2-7, Hunter Talbert 2-6, Jakob Lofland 1-4, Kyle Shartzer 1-3, Andrew Peper 4-0, Jordan Jump 1-(-4).
RECEIVING: Petersburg PORTA (2-34) — Austin Woolman 1-20, Chad Fowler 1-14. Sangamon Valley (3-50) — Jesse Blair 2-34, Eric Leonard 1-16.
PENALTIES: Petersburg PORTA (4-46), Sangamon Valley (8-65).
RECORDS: Petersburg PORTA, 0-3 (0-2). Niantic Sangamon Valley, 2-1 (2-0).
Copyright 2011 The State Journal-Register. Some rights reserved
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