Portsmouth defenders Landon Malone (10), Kayleb Johnson (22) and Dontavion Parker (1) tackle a Chesapeake Panther ballcarrier during Saturday’s Ohio Valley Conference football game at Chesapeake High School’s Phil Davis Field.

Courtesy of Randy and Joann Waugh

CHESAPEAKE — The Portsmouth Trojans churned out 331 yards of total offense, and limited the host Panthers to 174, as they knocked off Chesapeake 45-8 on Saturday — in Ohio Valley Conference football action at Chesapeake High School’s Phil Davis Field.

Although the Panthers (3-3, 0-2 OVC) scored a touchdown in the first quarter on a fumble return, the Trojan defense has not allowed a score in three consecutive games.

“They (defense) reminded the offense of that after the game — ‘hey, by the way, you guys gave up a score,’” Portsmouth head coach Bruce Kalb said after the game. “Our kids went out and executed and did what they needed to do. They were a little flat at times and I wasn’t really happy about that. But we are working on that. The drizzly rain was an annoyance at times. We won the game handily and our defense played lights out. Overall, I’m very pleased with this win.”

The Trojans (4-1, 3-0 OVC) got on the board with 5:55 to go in the first quarter — when Lukas Bradley romped 35 yards for the touchdown.

Portsmouth senior Lukas Bradley (11)

Courtesy of Randy and Joann Waugh

With 3:09 left in the opening quarter, Chesapeake’s Drew Plantz scored on a 37-yard fumble return — and added the conversion run for the brief 8-6 Panther lead.

Portsmouth answered when quarterback J.T. Williams scampered 14 yards into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown, as he finished the game with 43 yards rushing on eight carries.

Portsmouth senior quarterback J.T. Williams (13)

Courtesy of Randy and Joann Waugh

Williams connected with Trevin Brooks for the two-point conversion, and the 14-8 lead with 1:38 left in the first period.

“Different atmosphere coming up here and playing on a Saturday night at 6 o’clock,” Kalb added. “Kind of strange with the absence of the band and the cheerleaders and it was kind of quiet and rainy.”

The game was originally slated for Friday night, but the remnants of Hurricane Helene delayed the game to the next day.

With 11:51 left in the second quarter, the Trojans earned a safety, when Chesapeake’s punter mishandled the snap — and kicked the ball out of the end zone to avoid a PHS recovery and a touchdown.

On the ensuing kickoff, Portsmouth’s Jacob Tidd caught the ball at the Trojan 20-yard line — and weaved his way through traffic for an 80-yard touchdown return.

Portsmouth senior Jacob Tidd (7)

Courtesy of Randy and Joann Waugh

Malachi Loper’s kick put PHS ahead 23-8 — with 11:33 to go in the first half.

“Our special teams played super,” Kalb said. “Every player on special teams wants to make a big play. They live for it. Jacob had some good blocking, but he also made a fantastic run and avoided tacklers and broke some tackles. Great effort from the entire special teams.”

Trojan senior running back Chase Heiland scored on a 10-yard romp with 46 seconds left on the second-quarter clock, and again on a 29-yard gallop with 8:58 to go in the third.

Heiland finished with 125 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries.

Portsmouth senior running back Chase Heiland (2)

Courtesy of Randy and Joann Waugh

“He’s (Heiland) such a hard runner and makes plays,” Kalb said. “He runs forward and when he sees daylight he burst through the gap.”

The Trojans capped their night when Dontavion Parker took the handoff 48 yards to the house with 9:40 to go in the game.

“We played good tonight,” Kalb added. “We took another step closer to playing great. We need to take care of the little mistakes and keep our foot on the gas.”

Portsmouth junior tight end Trevin Brooks (5)

Courtesy of Randy and Joann Waugh

Portsmouth will host undefeated Fairland (6-0, 3-0 OVC) on Friday night (Oct. 4) in a big OVC matchup —with outright first-place on the line in fact.

* * *

Portsmouth 14 16 8 7 — 45

Chesapeake 8 0 0 0 —8

P — Lukas Bradley, 35-yard run (kick blocked), 5:55, 1st (6-0 P)

C —Drew Plantz, 37-yard fumble return (Drew Plantz run), 3:09, 1st (8-6 C)

P — J.T. Williams, 14-yard run (Trevin Brooks pass from J.T. Williams), 1:38, 1st (14-8 P)

P — Safety, punt kicked out of end zone, 11:51, 2nd (16-8 P)

P — Jacob Tidd, 80-yard kickoff return (Malachi Loper kick), 11:33, 2nd (23-8 P)

P — Chase Heiland, 10-yard run (Malachi Loper kick), :46, 2nd (30-8 P)

P — Chase Heiland, 29-yard run (Chase Heiland run), 8:58, 3rd (38-8 P)

P — Dontavion Parker, 48-yard run (Malachi Loper kick), 9:40, 4th (45-8 P)

Team Statistics

P C

First Downs 16 10

Scrimmage plays 29 42

Rushes-yards 23-272 29-115

Passing yards 59 29

Total yards 331 174

Cmp-Att-Int. 5-6-0 4-13-0

Fumbles-lost NA NA

Penalties-yards 8-70 5-41

Punts-Ave. 0-0 3-23.2

Individual Leaders

RUSHING — Portsmouth: Chase Heiland 9-125 2TD, J.T. Williams 8-43 TD, Zion Froe 3-23, Dontavion Parker 1-48 TD, Lukas Bradley 1-35 TD, Alex McKenzie 1-(-2); Chesapeake: Drew Plantz 15-83, Jacob Harris 8-21, Andrew Daniels 6-11

PASSING — Portsmouth: J.T. Williams 5-6-0-59; Chesapeake: Jacob Harris 4-13-0-29

RECEIVING — Portsmouth: Camron Williams 2-19, Trevin Brooks 1-15, Chase Heiland 1-13, Lukas Bradley 1-12; Chesapeake: Ethan Kerns 3-36, Andrew Isaacs 1-(-7)