From: John Group

Sunday, August 11, 2024 | 6:01 a.m.

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The Hampton Talbots have their starting quarterback from last season back, but you may not recognize him.

Second-team All-Conference quarterback Porter Kelly experienced a growth spurt in the offseason that transformed the senior while boosting the Talbots’ hopes.

“He was a little guy,” said Hampton coach Steve Sciullo. “Now he looks like a varsity quarterback. It was phenomenal.”

During the offseason, Kelly grew more than four inches, going from a petite 5’7″, 145-pound player to a 6’1″, 175-pound signal caller. The same kid who came to Hampton as a diminutive 5’5″, 125-pound freshman now looks tailor-made to be the WPIAL Class 4A starting quarterback.

Kelly’s mother is 5’10”, his father is 6’10” and his older brother is 6’2″, so he figured he would hit a growth spurt at some point. The wait ended this offseason.

“It brings everything together,” Kelly said. “It was about being patient and working on the things I could control, because that was something I couldn’t control.”

“My main focus was on my footwork and being able to go through the exercises before the growth spurt. Now everything has come together and is really helping me.”

Kelly was the starter for most of last season, throwing for 828 yards and eight touchdowns as the Talbots went 3-7 and missed the WPIAL playoffs due to a tiebreaker. Kelly was selected to the second team all-Greater Allegheny Conference and played 7-on-7 with PA Elite this offseason. He said he has increased his arm strength by about 15 yards.

“Porter has grown,” said senior wide receiver/linebacker Ray Kirsopp. “I’m really happy about that. Our passing game has gotten a lot better.”

Hampton returns six starters on offense and seven on defense. In addition to Kelly and Kirsopp, seniors Carson Potter (HB/LB), Josh Carr (WR/DB) and Austin Williams (OL) as well as juniors Willy Haselrig (WR/DB), Brody Junker (LB), Jack Halli (Safety) and Evan McAneny (CB) are also back.

The Talbots must replace all-conference running back Brock Borgo, who rushed for 1,157 yards last season and 3,340 yards in his career. Sciullo said they will form a committee backfield with McAneny, Potter, junior Dustin Kerr and sophomore Heath Borgo, Brock’s younger brother.

“We’re excited about the team we have,” Sciullo said. “We think we’re going to be a little less predictable, and by a little, I mean a lot. Last year, the ball went to Brock Borgo on four of five downs. … It’s pretty easy to build a defense around that. We’re excited to be a little less predictable.”

Kelly’s growth spurt will certainly expand the playbook. As a below-average quarterback last season, he was forced to roll out and move away from the pocket to create open passing lanes. Screen plays and traditional dropbacks were not part of his game. That will change this year.

“Last year he had trouble seeing across the line and throwing the ball far,” Sciullo said. “There were things he couldn’t do. This year he can do those things and I expect him to do them.”

Hampton

Trainer: Steve Sciullo

Record 2023: 3-7, 3-3 in Class 4A Greater Allegheny Conference

All-time record: 335-396-21

SCHEDULE

Date, opponent, time

8.23 University preparation, 7

8.30 Armstrongs, 7

9.6 Shalers, 7

9.13 Upper St. Clair, 7

9.20 am in Chartiers Valley, 7

9.27 McKeesport*, 7

10.4 at Indiana*, 7

10.11 at Knoch*, 7

10.18 Mars*, 7

10.25 a.m. in West Mifflin*, 7

* Conference game

STATISTICAL GUIDES

Passing by: Porter Kelly

58-117, 828 yards, 8 touchdowns

Rush: Brock Borgo*

225-1,157 yards, 14 touchdowns

Reception: Willy Haselrig

28–442 yards, 4 touchdowns

* Completed

FAST FACTS

• Hampton will open the season with four consecutive home games for the first time in at least 20 years.

• New faces on the team include assistant Brian Junker (special teams), who coached Shaler to the 2023 PIAA Class 5A baseball title.

• Former All-Conference RB Brock Borgo had 251 touches last season (225 rushing, 26 receiving). The rest of the team had 135 total touches (78 rushing, 57 receiving).

• Hampton has to replace four offensive linemen, with only experienced Austin Williams returning.

Tags: Hampton