COAL GROVE — Portsmouth was able put the clamps on Coal Grove’s rushing attack, J.T. Williams and Chase Heiland had huge offensive performances, and the Trojans shutout the Hornets 34-0 in Ohio Valley Conference action on Friday night.

The Hornets were held below their season average of 267 rushing yards per game, finishing with just 154 yards on the ground. 

Kaden Murphy led Coal Grove offensively, finishing the night 31 carries for 127 yards.

Portsmouth head coach Bruce Kalb praised his defense for doing their job and shutting down the Hornets ground game.

“We said defensively, you’ve got to play your position and you got to trust the guy next to you to play his position,” said Kalb.

While Portsmouth’s defense did its part, the offense got explosive plays from its one-two punch of quarterback J.T. Williams and running back Chase Heiland. 

Williams finished the game with 1 carries for 140 yards on the ground and 3 touchdowns. He also completed 3 of 4 passes for 54 yards. Heiland had 14 carries for 140 yards and 2 rushing scores.

All of Williams’ scores of 25, 30, and 63-yards came in the first half, and Heiland added second half runs of 50 and 35.

Kalb praised their supporting cast of offensive line and wide receivers for being able to provide the blocks necessary to open the running lanes for Williams and Heiland. 

“They always say the linemen are the unsung heroes. I happen to coach that position and I’m not exactly kind to them on a regular basis. I have very high expectations and very, very high demands of them,” said Kalb.

“You had Camron Williams, Landon Malone, Lucas Bradley, and Logan Adkins who all just, when we hit that perimeter, we’re able to get their hips between the defender and ball, and give those guys a lane,” said Kalb.

The Trojans (4-1, 2-0 OVC) got on the board first as Williams kept the ball on a read option look, bounced to the outside and scampered up the sidelines for the games’ first score. Malachi Loper added the extra point to make it 7-0 with 2:22 left in the first.

Williams added another touchdown run on the Trojans following possession to make it 14-0.

It looked as though the Hornets would get an answering score, as Murphy nearly took the ensuing kickoff back for a touchdown. But was tripped up just past midfield for a 55-yard return.

But Coal Grove (3-2, 1-1) couldn’t capitalize on the field position, turning the ball over on downs and three plays later, Williams went 63-yards to make it 21-0 with 5:50 remaining before halftime.

A fumbled snap on the first snap of the Hornets second half drive gifted the Trojans prime field position. 

On the very next play Heiland took a handoff and cut through the defense for a 50-yard score to extend the lead to 27-0.

Coal Grove pieced together one of its best drives of the night, as Murphy and Caden Turner made punishing runs to help melt nearly 7 minutes off the clock. But the 12-play drive stalled out at the Trojans 10.

Coal Grove hosts Gallia Academy next Friday. Portsmouth will travel to Chesapeake.

Chesapeake 7 14 6 7 = 34

Coal Grove 0 0 0 0 = 0

First Quarter

Prt — J.T. Williams 25 run (Malachi Loper kick), 2:22.

Second Quarter

Prt — J.T. Williams 30 run (Malachi Loper kick), 9:21.

Prt — J.T. Williams 63 run (Malachi Loper kick), 5:50.

Third Quarter

Prt — Chase Heiland 50 run (kick blocked), 9:29.

Fourth Quarter

Prt — Chase Heiland 50 run (Malachi Loper kick), 8:34.

—————

Prt CG

First downs 14 15

Rushes-yards 26-265 54-154

Passing yards 54 0

Total yards 310 154

Cmp-Att-Int 3-4-0 0-2-0

Fumbles-lost 1-0 1-1

Penalties-yards 8-90 7-65

Punts-average 2-25.0 3-41.67

—————

Individual Leaders

RUSHING–Portsmouth: Chase Heiland 14-124 2TD, J.T. Williams 11-140 3TD, Alex McKenzie. 1-1; Coal Grove: Kaden Murphy 31-127, Caden Turner 15-30, Ryland Smith 4-minus 9, Leland McKnight 2-minus 2, Case Webb 1-6, Logan Roberts 1-2.

PASSING–Portsmouth: J.T. Williams 3-4-0 54; Coal Grove: None.

RECEIVING–Portsmouth: Lathan Bradley 1-34, Camron Williams 1-9, Landon Malone 1-11; Coal Grove: None.