PORTSMOUTH — Three fourth quarter touchdowns helped Portsmouth to an opening round playoff win over Amanda-Clearcreek 32-13 Friday night in the Division V, Region 19 bracket.
It was the second time in as many years that the Trojans beat the Aces to open the postseason.
AC was first to score on a short run by Tommy Stai for a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter.
The Trojans got on the board three minutes into the second quarter, but they went for two and failed leaving the Aces up 7-6.
Portsmouth was able to get on top following an interception in AC territory. The Trojans used six plays to reach the endzone and go up 13-7.
The Aces were on the verge of retaking the lead at the end of the half but were stopped at the one on a fourth-and-goal play with two seconds left leaving Portsmouth on top at the break.
After neither team was able to score for much of the third quarter, Portsmouth recovered an AC fumble that set up a six-play scoring drive which culminated with a 50-yard touchdown pass with 11:44 left in the game.
Portsmouth added to its lead with a 21-yard scoring pass at the 7:34 mark to make it 25-7.
AC added its final score when Stai capped an 83-yard drive with a 32-yard TD run.
The Aces recovered an onside kick but were stopped on fourth down to give the ball back to Portsmouth and Fernando Poxes broke an 87-yard run two plays later to wrap up the game’s scoring.
Stai finished as AC’s leading rusher with 148 yards on 26 carries.
Poxes finished with 116 for Portsmouth.
AC, the No. 12 seed, finishes the season with a 5-6 record while No. 5 Portsmouth improves to 9-2 and heads to No. 4 seed Barnesville (8-2) next week.
Portsmouth 32, Amanda-Clearcreek 13
By Quarters 1 2 3 4 F
Am-Clearcreek 7 0 0 6 13
Portsmouth 0 13 0 19 32
First Quarter
AC — Tommy Stai 1 run (Hayden Dunn kick), 4:44.
Second Quarter
PO — Fernando Poxes 6 run (run failed), 8:54.
PO — Camron Williams 20 pass from Marquez Locklear (Jacob Roth kick), 4:23
Fourth Quarter
PO — Braxton Carr 50 pass from Marquez Locklear (kick failed) 11:44.
PO — Leeland Scurlock 21 pass from Marquez Locklear (kick failed), 7:34.
AC — Tommy Stai 32 run (run failed), 4:51.
PO — Fernando Poxes 87 run (Jacob Roth kick), 2:51.
TEAM STATISTICS
AC PO
First downs 15 15
Rushing yards 44-219 38-200
Passing yards 84 190
Comp.-Att.-Int 8-15-1 12-16-0
Total yards 303 390
Fumbles-Lost 4-2 1-1
Penalties-Yards 4-35 15-151
Punts-Ave 3-33 3-33
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING –Amanda-Clearcreek — Tommy Stai 26-148, Carter Madison 12-65, Luke Anderson 3-4. Portsmouth— Fernando Poxes 17-116, Marquez Locklear 11-46, Jemarkus Parker 7-34, Trevin Brooks 205.
PASSING – Amanda-Clearcreek— Carter Madison 8-15-1-84. Portsmouth — Marquez Locklear 12-16-0-190.
RECEIVING – Amanda-Clearcreek — Talon Affolter 2-36, Kole Cassley 2-12, Mason Williams 1-24, Karsin Amann 1-16, Tommy Stai 1-(-2), Kehlan Watterson 1-(-2). Portsmouth — Camron Williams 5-56, Leeland Scurlock 3-61, Fernando Poxes 2-5, Braxton Carr 1-50, Kayleb Johnson 1-18.