SportsSeptember 23, 2023
Portageville wallops Charleston with near-perfect 43-0 conquest
PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — In a display of textbook execution, Portageville used a balanced offensive attack and a swarming defense to defeat Charleston 43-0 in a SEMO Conference-South matchup at Vic Reaves Athletic Field on Friday, September 22. From start to finish, the Bulldogs (4-1) dazzled in a multitude of ways, mangling the Bluejays (1-4) and showcasing offensive outstandingness, defensive dominance and special team supremacy throughout the resounding victory...
By Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat
PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — In a display of textbook execution, Portageville used a balanced offensive attack and a swarming defense to defeat Charleston 43-0 in a SEMO Conference-South matchup at Vic Reaves Athletic Field on Friday, September 22.
From start to finish, the Bulldogs (4-1) dazzled in a multitude of ways, mangling the Bluejays (1-4) and showcasing offensive outstandingness, defensive dominance and special team supremacy throughout the resounding victory.
“The kids played with excellent execution,” said Portageville coach Ian Penrod. “We felt like last week we played three good quarters, and this week we wanted to be able to put a four-quarter game together on both sides of the ball. Charleston played well on defense and took some things away in our run game. They made us have to throw the ball quite a bit due to that.
“We’ve been focused on being balanced on offense,” he continued. “That means that we can control the game and execute the game plan, regardless if we have to throw or run.”
With the barbarity of Bulldogs on the hunt, Portageville mauled Charleston’s offense on the opening drive of the game. Aaron Dunlap burst off the edge and made a tackle for a loss on first down, sending an early message. The Bluejay’s offense was left reeling and quickly faced a three-and-out, culminating in a punt.
Portageville started around midfield and efficiently moved into the red zone, finding paydirt for the first time with seven minutes and 38 seconds left in the opening quarter when Mason Adams hit Dunlap on a slant route for an 11-yard touchdown.
The Bulldogs’ jack-of-all-trades, Carson Bradley, continued to show off his booming leg on the ensuing kickoff. Charleston, on the other hand, found itself starting its second consecutive drive inside its red zone after mishandling the kickoff for the second time.
“It is a game-changer,” Penrod said. “We’ve never been able to consistently kick it deep like this before. It makes a world of difference and can transform our game planning. I know how important it is because in years past we’ve been in situations where we couldn’t move the ball cross midfield, and when you hand your opponent a 50-yard field, they tend to rack up points. So being able to pin teams deep provides us with a tremendous advantage.”
Charleston managed to convert a fourth-and-short by drawing Portageville offsides. However, the Bulldogs forced the Bluejays into a dire third-and-18 after a sack by Huston Partin and pass breakup by Jamarion Smith.
With no other options, Charleston resorted to a desperate pass, leading to an interception by Xayvion Bogan that was returned deep into Bluejays’ territory.
“We just stressed the execution,” Penrod said. “Last week, we put ourselves in some good spots to take control of things but we let our foot off the gas.”
Portageville scored on a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Smith with 2:02 left in the first quarter, extending the lead to 14-0 after Adams connected with Smith for the two-point conversion.
Despite Charleston starting with good field position around midfield after an excellent kickoff return by J Robinson, Portageville’s relentless pressure and disciplined play quickly shut down the offense’s hopes. The Bluejays turned the ball over on downs four plays later after AJ Larry’s disruptive presence led to an inaccurate fourth down throw.
Portageville converted a crucial fourth-and-10 with a 36-yard strike from Adams to Bradley over the middle, setting up Smith’s impressive 21-yard touchdown, reversing field and sprinting down the sideline on the next play, widening the margin to 21-0.
“That was a pivotal moment in the game,” Penrod said. “[Adams] has been demonstrating wonderful chemistry with our receivers, and that connection was on full display with that huge fourth down play. It was huge for us to be able to make it a three-possession lead on that drive. Now it starts to get hard and out of reach for Charleston.”
In last year’s matchup, Portageville held a 14-0 lead and seemed poised to secure a three-possession advantage. However, the game took an unexpected turn when Charleston forced a fumble and returned it for a 75-yard touchdown, dramatically shifting the momentum.
Ultimately, Portageville narrowly escaped with a 34-28 victory. But in the current game, the Bulldogs unveiled a ferocious bite, exhibiting an enhanced killer instinct.
“We were in the dog fight after that fumble last year,” Penrod said. “But we were able to make sure that didn’t happen tonight. At 14-0, if we’re not able to convert and get that score and Charleston makes something happen with the ball, it could have been a completely different game.”
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A tackle for a loss by Connor Jefferies forced the Bluejays into another tough situation on the next drive, leaving the team with no choice but to punt once more. Smith effortlessly reversed the field for the second time on the punt return, leaving the defense in a state of slow-motion bewilderment.
“[Smith] has incredible vision and is super elusive,” Penrod said. “It’s hard to square him up for a hit. When he’s able to start dancing and make one or two guys miss, next thing you know, there are going to be 11 defenders on one side of the field and he’ll plant a foot and run a comeback.”
Portageville further flaunted its aerial attack as Adams connected with Beau-Hunter Warren on a 33-yard touchdown pass, amplifying the lead to 27-0 with 7:36 until halftime.
“We have five or six guys we can throw to,” Penrod said. “Regardless of what you take away from us, we’re still going to be able to move the chains.”
Both defenses concluded the first half on a high note. Portageville forced another turnover of downs following a sack by Bradley on fourth down.
On the other side, Charleston prevented a potential big play at the end of the first half with a sack by Charles David and Zamarion Quinn.
The Bulldogs started the opening drive of the second half around midfield, and despite a sack by Kieshaundrau Orr on first down, it took Portageville just three plays and 61 seconds to increase the lead to 35-0 after a 30-yard touchdown run on a toss to Smith.
The Bluejays received a nice boost to morale when Zachyran Thomas stepped up, converting a fourth-and-long with a 17-yard run.
Unfornately, the momentum fizzled out shortly thereafter, leading to another turnover on downs.
In the closing moments of the game, Portageville further extended the lead to 43-0 with a 10-yard touchdown dash by Smith, leaving only 2:37 remaining on the clock.
“Jamarion [Smith] and a lot of these other seniors make me look smart,” Penrod said. “It doesn’t have a lot to do with me. It’s their commitment that truly shines.”
The Bulldogs dominated the total yardage battle with a commanding 237-93 margin.
Smith rushed for 116 yards and four touchdowns on 11 carries, while Adams completed 7-of-13 pass attempts for 135 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
The team’s top pass catchers were Dunlap (2-41, TD), Bradley (2-40) and Warren (1-33, TD).
Not only did Portageville display a well-rounded offensive strategy, but it also did it with remarkable efficiency, utilizing just 26 total offensive plays.
“We were efficient,” Penrod said. “The balance helped us tonight early on, they were able to take away a lot of our run stuff because they’re so heavy and have a lot of guys in the box. You can’t run into walled cities, but we were able to move the ball through the air and get some scores. When you see those teams that are run heavy and you can get up a little bit, it gives you the cushion to where now you can start controlling the game the way you want and take their game plan out of it.”
Portageville, currently holding the No. 2 rank in Class 1, has averaged 50.2 points per game this season and will host Chaffee (3-2) next Friday.
“Portageville is a tough team,” said Charleston coach Justin Hutchings. “They’re ranked No. 2 in the state for a reason. They have a bunch of seniors who have been started since they were freshmen and sophomores. They’re an experienced bunch and we’re kind of rebuilding some stuff but we are going to get there.
“We played until the end,” he continued. “We battled and gave them some fits with their run game. Although the score doesn’t show it, we played good defense. I was proud of how we continued to battle the whole game.”
Charleston will host Hayti (0-4) next Friday.
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