‘Phenomenal’ growth spurt lifts Hampton’s hopes

By: John Grupp
Sunday, August 11, 2024 | 6:01 AM

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The Hampton Talbots return their starting quarterback from last season, but you might not recognize him.

Second-team all-conference QB Porter Kelly hit an offseason growth spurt that transformed the senior, lifting the Talbots’ hopes along with it.

“He was a little guy,” Hampton coach Steve Sciullo said. “He looks like a varsity quarterback now. It’s been phenomenal.”

During the offseason, Kelly grew more than four inches, sprouting from a diminutive 5-foot-7, 145-pounder into a 5-11 1/2, 165-pound signal caller. The same kid who entered Hampton as a tiny 5-5, 120-pound freshman now looks the part as a starting WPIAL Class 4A QB.

Kelly’s mom is 5-10, his dad is 6-1 and his older brother is 6-2, so he expected to hit a growth surge at some point. The wait ended this offseason.

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

“My main focus was my footwork and being able to go through reads before the growth spurt. Now it’s come all together and is really helpful for me.”

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

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

Hampton returns six starters on offense and seven on defense. Along with Kelly and Kirsopp, other returnees include seniors Carson Potter (HB/LB), Josh Carr (WR/DB) and Austin Williams (OL) and juniors Willy Haselrig (WR/DB), Brody Junker (LB), Jack Halli (safety) and Evan McAneny (CB).

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

“We’re excited about the stable of backs we have,” Sciullo said. “We think we are going to be a little bit less predictable, and by a little, I mean a lot. Last year four out of every five downs, the ball was going to Brock Borgo. … It’s pretty easy to form a defense around that. We’re looking forward to being a little bit less predictable.”

For sure, Kelly’s growth spurt will expand the playbook. As an undersized QB last season, he was forced to roll out and move away from the pocket to create open passing lanes. Screen plays and traditional drop-backs weren’t part of his game. That will change this year.

“Last year he had a hard time seeing over the line and being able to throw down the field,” Sciullo said. “There were things he couldn’t do. He can do those things this year, and I expect him to do them.”

Hampton

Coach: Steve Sciullo

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

All-time record: 335-396-21

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.23 University Prep, 7

8.30 Armstrong, 7

9.6 Shaler, 7

9.13 Upper St. Clair, 7

9.20 at Chartiers Valley, 7

9.27 McKeesport*, 7

10.4 at Indiana*, 7

10.11 at Knoch*, 7

10.18 Mars*, 7

10.25 at West Mifflin*, 7

* Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Porter Kelly

58-117, 828 yards, 8 TDs

Rushing: Brock Borgo*

225-1,157 yards, 14 TDs

Receiving: Willy Haselrig

28-442 yards, 4 TDs

* Graduated

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 staff include assistant Brian Junker (special teams), who coached Shaler to the 2023 PIAA Class 5A baseball title.

• Graduated all-conference RB Brock Borgo had 251 touches last season (225 rushing, 26 receiving). The rest of the team had 135 touches combined (78 rushing, 57 receiving).

• Hampton must replace four starting offensive linemen, returning only senior Austin Williams.

Tags: Hampton