Portageville pounds East Prairie with resounding 56-0 victory

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Friday night lights illuminated the Bootheel as state-ranked powerhouse Portageville, the No. 2 team in Class 1, defeated East Prairie 56-0 on Friday, September 8.

The Bulldogs (2-1) offense scored quickly and often, trampling the Eagles’ (1-2) defense and building a 42-0 halftime advantage.

“Our kids came out and executed again this week,” said Portageville coach Ian Penrod. “We are trying to be 1-0 every week and not look too far ahead or behind. Our kids stayed focused and I couldn’t be happier with them.”

East Prairie's Branen McCutchen (70) blocks during a 56-0 loss at Portageville on Friday, September 8, 2023. (Rod Anderson/Standard-Democrat)

For the second week in a row, the Bulldog defense kept their opponents out of the endzone.

“It starts in practice, we run full pads three days a week and go full force every practice and we focus up every practice,” said senior middle linebacker Connor Jeffries. “We play so physically, we’re all just dedicated, we want it more than anybody right now and it kind of shows.”

Senior running back Jamarion Smith once again led the offensive attack for the Bulldogs, scoring three touchdowns on 10 carries for 134 yards and adding one 13-yard touchdown reception.  

Portageville assistant coach Nathan Hampton talks with running back Jamarion Smith (24) during a 56-0 win over East Prairie on Friday, September 8, 2023. (Rod Anderson/Standard-Democrat)

Less than six minutes into the first quarter senior quarterback Mason Adams found senior receiver Beau-Hunter Warren for a 65-yard touchdown pass.

Adams completed 5-of-9 pass attempts for 100 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 86 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.  

About five minutes into the second quarter, senior defensive back Aaron Dunlap recovered a blocked field goal attempt and scampered 85 yards for the Bulldogs’ fourth touchdown.

Sophomore running back Antonio Hickenbottom provided the highlight of the game late in the fourth quarter with a 99-yard rushing touchdown on his only carry of the game. 

The Bulldogs took possession on the 1-yard line after a 59-yard punt by the Eagles’ Tavion Ware, setting Hickenbottom up for the full-field run.  

“I just had my blockers, got behind my blockers and just took it to the house, touchdown all the way,” Hickenbottom said.

Portagevile rushed for a total of 328 yards on only 19 attempts, an astonishing 17.3 yards per carry average.

“That was one of our young guys and the young guys are pretty good too,” Penrod said of Hickenbottom’s run. “The only unfortunate thing is we have some really good older guys so you don’t get to see them as much. He just gets the ball on the one-yard line and he is gone.”

East Prairie managed to battle through the Bulldog defensive line picking up 104 positive yards of rushing, led by sophomore running Back Tavion Ware’s 55 yards on 13 carries, Braylan Cade, Rudy Arizmendi, Ty Wallace combined for 49 yards on the ground.

“I learned we were able to play a couple of guys in different positions and we were able to see what they do in those jobs.”  Penrod said.

Next Friday, Portageville travels to Scott City (2-1), while East Prairie hosts Dexter (2-1).