Trojans and JT Willliams swarm Rock Hill in 42-21 victory
By: Lucy Schaefer
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POURTSMOUTH, Ohio (WOUB) – It’s finally beginning to feel like fall in Southeast Ohio, but Rock Hill hoped to bring the heat to the Trojan Coliseum against Portsmouth tonight. Portsmouth would dominate Rock Hill in a 42-20 victory.
The Trojans looked to bounce back after last week’s tight loss against Fairland; a game that Portsmouth let slip away on a couple last minute penalties. Rock Hill was coming off a road 37-12 win at Gallia Academy.
The first quarter was a defensive battle for both teams; Rock Hill’s special teams squad shined after they recovered a fumble from Portsmouth on a punt. This set them up inside the Trojan 10-yard line late in the first quarter. Early in the second, Rock Hill capitalized on their drive with a 1-yard QB sneak by Junior Dallin Cox.
Portsmouth marched down the field with Chase Heiland leading the charge. Quarterback J.T. Williams took matters into his own hands with a 15-yard run to score halfway through the second quarter. He tied the score at 7, where it would stay until after halftime.
The Trojans got the ball for the first drive of the second half and came out swinging. J.T. Williams found the endzone again, dodging defenders and dashing 40 yards to the house. Portsmouth took their first lead of the game 14-7 early in the third quarter.
Not much changed from that point on. Rock Hill was unable to move the sticks and was forced to punt. Williams, this time from 47 yards out, scored again with a big run, 21-7 Trojans.
With Rock Hill silent on offense again, Portsmouth found themselves back in the red zone. Chase Heiland would take it this time for a 5-yard run and the third Trojan score of the half. But Portsmouth’s defense wasn’t silent either. On the first play of Rock Hill’s next drive, Cox threw a pick to Nick Copley who ran it in for 6. The Trojans advanced to lead 35-7.
Next drive and Rock Hill responded, finally making things happen on offense. Senior Anthony Stamper barreled into the end zone 6 yards out for Rock Hill’s second score of the game. With a little under six minutes left in the game, Stamper made the score 35-14.
But the Trojans were not done yet and neither was Williams. A low and dropped snap turned into a 58-yard run from the senior to make the score 42-14. Williams scored his fourth touchdown of the game.
Rock Hill, with little time to respond, but put all they had into their last drive. They got into the end zone one more time with just five seconds left in the game; the time matched with the 5-yard score from Sophomore Brody Simpkins.
Coach Bruce Kalb described QB Williams as “lightning in a bottle,” that he’s “not the biggest guy, but he’s fast, he’s strong, he’s tough. I’m really proud of his performance, he’s worked tirelessly in the offseason, and he comes out tonight having such a big night.”
Kalb said he and his guys are looking forward to the playoffs, but don’t want to look too far ahead. They’ll focus on next Friday’s trip to South Point. Rock Hill will take the next week to prepare for Chesapeake, where they hope to bounce back home.