Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
COAL GROVE — In a battle of stout running attacks, Portsmouth left no doubt it had the superior ground game on Friday.
The duo of Chase Heiland and J.T. Williams spent the evening running through wide open holes, around and through Coal Grove’s defense, finding the end zone a combined five times.
The Trojans’ defense, meanwhile, put forth another clinic and pitched a second straight shutou in a 34-0 victory over the Hornets in OVC play.
“We knew coming in that we were facing a tough rushing attack. But our defense, much like last week against Gallia, showed up again this week,” Portsmouth coach Bruce Kalb said. “We told them all week in practice that if they were going to stop Coal Grove, they’d have to play their position and stay disciplined. Our kids did a great job of that and played a physical brand of football.”
Williams finished the game with nine carries for 179 yards and three touchdowns, while Heiland toted the ball 16 times for 182 yards and two scores.
“We knew that if Coal Grove stopped one guy, then the other would have a big night. It’s a luxury to have a two-headed monster like we do in Chase and J.T.,” Kalb said. “It’s a pick your poison type of deal. They both give defenses fits and we all saw what they both can do.”
The first half was all Williams and he wasted little time getting the night started. After both team exchanged stops, Portsmouth (4-1, 2-0 OVC) was off and running as Williams called his own number on back-to-back drives, scoring from 25 and 30 yards out to put the Trojans ahead 14-0.
However, he wasn’t finished just yet.
Following a Coal Grove punt, he eluded Hornet defenders and sprinted 63 yards for his third touchdown of the night to give Portsmouth a 21-0 lead at halftime.
“Coach Kalb always preaches to take each week like it’s going to be your last, be prepared and don’t look past anyone,” Portsmouth’s Jon Carter said. “We’ve been building this program brick by brick for the last three years, and we feel like we have a good chance to win the league this year.”
Now that Williams had Coal Grove (3-2, 1-1 OVC) sitting on the edge of the cliff in the first half, it was Heiland’s turn to give the final push.
After a the Trojans forced and recovered a fumble, Heiland took the football and found a hole before dashing 50 yards for another touchdown. With the game well in hand at that point, he put on the finishing touches in the fourth with a 30-yard score to cap the night, and a Trojan victory.
“We believe that we have one of the best run defenses in the league, and we stressed all week in practice defending trap, buck and belly since we knew that’s what they’d run,” Heiland said. “Moving forward, we just have to take things week by week and emphasize staying humble. We’ve pitched two shutouts now and as long as we continue to take things seriously, then we’ll keep winning.”
Portsmouth returns to action on Friday at Chesapeake, while Coal Grove aims to bounce back at home against Gallia Academy.
SPONSORED BY PAR MAR STORES
