Portsmouth brings home nail-biting victory
By: Eva Green
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PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WOUB) — It’s an early Friday night lights rivalry as the Portsmouth Trojans head to the Portsmouth West Senators. Last year’s score saw the Portsmouth Trojans take the victory, 41-7. The Senators sought revenge at home, but ultimately fell short with the Trojans taking the victory 13-12.
On the opening drive, the Senators came off to a rocky start, fumbling the kickoff, drawing three penalties, and being sacked, putting them at the back of their end zone. Portsmouth immediately took advantage of the short field positioning and scored on a 7-yard rushing touchdown by Fernando Poxes.
The Senators didn’t let that deter them as they blocked the PAT and stopped Portsmouth’s offense multiple times afterward. By the end of the first quarter, the Senators seemed to have found a groove with their running game. RB Anthony Bishop made back-to-back big yard gains, scoring a touchdown right down the gut of the defense. Unfortunately, a missed PAT left the score tied at 6-6.
At the end of the first half, it was all defense with three sacks coming from the Senators’ defense by DL Christian Quirasco, Austin Ramsey, Zane Pitts, and big defensive stops coming from the Portsmouth side in the red zone.
Beginning the second half, the Senators came out and scored with the running game as Bishop again ran straight down the middle and into the end zone. Portsmouth West continues to pound down the Trojan offensive as they come up with multiple four-and-outs. It didn’t last long, however, as Braden Atkins fumbled and Dontavion Parker recovered for a huge touchdown, allowing the Trojans to lead 13-12.
The Senators’ offense and defense did all they could but came up just short by 1 point. Even as penalties plague the Portsmouth defense, they still found a way to bring the win home in a nail biting and physical battle. Portsmouth looks to continue to build off this victory when they host Greenup County next week.