Portola 10U Tigers Win Snow Bowl Championship

PORTOLA – The Portola 10U Tigers beat the Elko Indians 19–0 in the Sagebrush Snow Bowl on Saturday, November 7, at Bishop Manogue High School in Reno, Nevada.

The victory gave Portola’s youth football program its first Snow Bowl championship since 2003, said Lynnann Benbow, fundraising coordinator for Portola Youth Football and Cheer.

A 70-yard run by Troy Benbow set up Portola’s first touchdown, according to a game recap from the team’s head coach relayed by Benbow. Jordan Marquette finished the drive with a 1-yard quarterback sneak for a 6–0 lead.

Marquette scored again on a 1-yard sneak, and Leo Barone caught a pass for the one-point conversion to extend the lead to 13–0. After Marquette intercepted an Elko pass, Troy Benbow scored on a 15-yard run to make it 19–0.

On defense, Legend McKenzie recovered a fumble after getting into Elko’s backfield. The coach credited Dominic Romero, Matteo Madrano, and Keegan Rinetti with tackles on third and fourth downs that gave Portola favorable field position. Colton Kelley and Thor Bass led the defensive line’s pressure on Elko.

The championship capped four straight playoff wins for a team that finished the regular season 3–4 and entered the playoffs as the third seed. On their route to the Snow Bowl, the Tigers beat Burney 24–8, North Valleys 19–0, and Carson City 38–6. With the shutout of Elko, Portola outscored its four playoff opponents 100–14.

More than 100 fans from Portola, Loyalton, and Quincy came to cheer on the Tigers, Benbow said.

Portola now advances to regional play. Regional champions qualify for the Pop Warner Super Bowl, the national youth football championships held in North Carolina.