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PORTSMOUTH — “The enemies are at the gates, and we must protect this house.”
That was Friday’s halftime message that coach Bruce Kalb gave his Trojans in a 14-7 slugfest. And Portsmouth (2-0) came out of the locker room swinging on its way to a second half shutout and a 41-7 drubbing of rival Portsmouth West (0-2).
After JT Williams — who was electric all night long — tossed two touchdown scores, one to his younger brother Camron, and the other to Logan Adkins, the Trojans went back to their identity … stout defense and controlling the line of scrimmage.
CREDIT: Baylee Harris/SOSA
While the first half saw offensive production hard to come by, the floodgates opened for the home team in the third and fourth quarters.
The third saw the game first shift to the ground as JT Williams started the party with a 22-yard touchdown scamper, making it 21-7 Trojans. Finding themselves up two scores was a good place to be, especially when their best player had yet to get going — something Kalb said makes his team different this year.
“We know teams are going to gameplan for Chase [Heiland].” Kalb said. “We have to be able to get other guys involved and we have seen our guys work extremely hard. Last year, we didn’t have JT and this year, we have him and Camron back. So we think those guys can really help us open up things for our running game because of what they can do with the ball.”
PHOTOS: Images from Portsmouth’s win over West
Heiland did get going, but it came when the game was well in hand.
The senior tailback reached pay dirt for the first time early in the fourth from nine yards out, pushing the lead to 28-7. And just as Heiland got going, so did his offensive line.
The big fells up front started opening up gaping holes for the Trojan ground attack, allowing Heiland to put the game away on a 27-yard jaunt, extending the lead to 35-7 with just over five minutes to play.
Not to be outdone, Portsmouth’s defense, which was stout all game long, got in on the action late by earning back-to-back takeaways.
“We are a physical team,” Kalb said of his defense. “And we remind our guys every day that we are going to play physical. We’ve taken a much more aggressive tone this year. Our guys stepped into every punch West threw and stepped up to do a great job tonight.”
The scoring was capped off when Marquez Locklear weaved his way into the end zone from 19 yards out, sealing the night’s final score.
Statistically, Heiland led Portsmouth with 16 carries for 111 yards and two scores. JT Williams was dynamic as well, completing 11-of-19 passes for 131 yards and two scores alongside a rushing touchdown. Camron Williams chipped in 69 total yards and a receiving touchdown.
West got its only touchdown late in the first quarter on a 40-yard run from Mason Parker. The Senators were led by Parker, who ended the night with 15 totes for 101 yards and a score.
Looking to Week 3, while West continues to search for its first win at Hillsboro, Portsmouth travels across the river to Greenup County.
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