Portageville rolls rival Scott City 56-32

Portageville’s dominating run continues as the Bulldogs steamroll the Rams of Scott City 56-32 on Friday in Scott City, Mo.

This was a rivalry game Portageville really wanted to win.

“I just love playing this team so much,” said Portageville senior receiver Carson Bradley, “I think this is the highest we beat Scott City by in four years.”

“They just talk stuff all the time,” said Portageville senior running back Jamarion Smith, who ran for 250 yards and three touchdowns. “That’s all they do. So we just got to prove them wrong every time.”

The Bulldogs entered the contest having won back-to-back games, outscoring opponents 118-6. With this result, they are averaging 58 points per game in their three-game winning streak.

The highlight of the game came late in the second quarter. Portageville senior quarterback Mason Adams tossed the ball to Smith who turns to throw an 81-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Beau-Hunter Warren.

“My arm just felt right,” said Smith. “I just felt like I was gonna let it loose right there.”

“We run it all the time at practice,” Warren said. “I was like, ‘Throw me the ball, I got you.’ Anything to help this team win.”

The Bulldogs struck first when Adams turned a 4th and 9 situation into a 32-yard touchdown pass to Bradley.

The Rams struck back on their first drive of the game. Senior quarterback Mark Panagos broke multiple tackles on a 24-yard run before throwing a 15-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver AJ Hayden to tie the game 6-6.

The tie was short-lived, as Portageville retook the lead on a 56-yard touchdown run by Smith to go up 14-6 after the 2-point conversion.

Portageville capitalized on a blocked punt to score another touchdown on a 33-yard pass from Adams to Bradley. The Bulldogs immediately got the ball back as the kickoff return from the Rams was mishandled. Bradley caught a third touchdown pass to put the Bulldogs up 28-6 with eight minutes remaining in the second quarter.

The Rams scored again on a 51-yard touchdown pass from Panagos to sophomore receiver Jackson Gloth. However, on the very next offensive play of the game, Smith evaded multiple defenders to score on a 61-yard run to put Portageville up 42-12 at halftime.

Portageville scored the first touchdown of the second half on a 10-yard quarterback keeper by Adams to go up 49-12.

The Rams offense charged back in the second half but it was too late for them. Senior running back Tyson Underwood scored on a rushing touchdown to end the third quarter. After Smith scored his third rushing touchdown of the night, Panagos threw two more passing touchdowns to round out the scoring, one to Torrin Johnson and another to Hayden for his second score of the game.

Portageville (3-1) host Charleston next week while Scott City (2-2) host Malden at homecoming.