Portner rushes into Greyhounds record book
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NEW ULM -- Last Wednesday in a 57-6 road win over Renville County West, two new chapters were written in the New Ulm Cathedral football record books when Alex Portner rushed for 242 yards and six touchdowns in the Nine-Player South District, West Subdistrict game.
Portner's 242 yards moved him past Erik Olsen's career rushing mark of 2,727 yards and into first place with a current yardage mark of 2,816 yards.
And Portner's six touchdowns also moved him into first place in career touchdowns with 45, passing Ted Skillings' previous mark of 40.
"It means a lot," Portner said about the records. "I am just thankful for my coaching staff -- they do a really good job of getting us better each week, giving us confidence and going out there and having fun. And my offensive line does a great job. It all starts with them."
Cathedral head football coach Denny Lux said that Portner, who was inserted into the Greyhounds starting backfield late in his sophomore season, uses a lot of his wresting skills on the football field.
"A lot of those skills are coming through on the football field," he said. "He always stays square to his opponent. When he is coming down the field, he does not turn his shoulder or hip -- he stays square to his opponent and then he has such balance and I think that is attributed to a life-long wrestler."
Portner agrees that his wrestling helps him with his balance on the field.
"It also helps me with my mentality and grit to not give up and give it my all," he said.
Lux said that Portner comes from a good blood line of running backs.
"His dad Pat was a good running back for us and uncle Mike -- the same thing -- all of them have speed and good balance," Lux said. "But we are definitely pleased with everything that he has done."
One opposing local high school football coach was overheard saying that trying to tackle Portner is like trying to tackle a lightning bug.
Lux said that Portner has been solid ever since he started in the second half of his sophomore season.
"He has been a solid player for us since then and there has not been one game that sticks out," Lux said. "But calling plays is really easy when you have Alex Portner in the backfield."
The Greyhounds host Edgerton in their regular season finale at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Johnson Field.