Category: Portsmouth

Games of the Week: Indians, Trojans open 2019 Season Thursday, Athens @ Waverly, Nelsonville-York @ Trimble, Wellston @ Jackson

Indians, Trojans open season Thursday

 

By PAUL BOGGS

Photo’s by Kent Sanborn, Tim Gearhart & Shawna Ruckel

Also see game of the Week Wheelersburg @ Ironton 

As has become customary, the Valley Indians and Portsmouth Trojans are once again opening the football season in Southeastern Ohio on Thursday night.

And, with not only the one-night spotlight on almost exclusively themselves, the individual spotlight is on Portsmouth senior tailback Talyn Parker.

#
1
Name
Talyn Parker
Position
2020
Height
5-11
Weight
195
Current Team
Portsmouth
Leagues
OVC, SEO
Seasons
2019

Parker, the defending Division V Southeast District Offensive Player of the Year, leads the talented and highly-touted Trojans against the upstart Indians – as kickoff inside sparkling Trojan Coliseum in Portsmouth is set for 7 p.m.

Portsmouth is coming off a 7-3 regular season, and a berth in the Division V state playoffs, plus Parker returns after a 2,500-yard and 29-touchdown rushing campaign a year ago.

As part of Parker’s offensive onslaught last season, the Trojans topped the Indians 57-40 in the season-opening shootout in Lucasville, which was a back-and-forth affair for three-and-a-half quarters.

It was Portsmouth’s third consecutive victory in the series, as the Trojans have scored at least 32 points in all three.

Valley won the four previous meetings, including a 41-40 scorefest five years ago.

Thursday could be a repeat of such, as the Trojans turn to Parker – plus some other offensive weapons.

“Talyn Parker had an amazing year last year and set three school rushing records and gained all kinds of honors. But we have some other weapons than just him that we need to get the ball to if we’re going to be successful again,” said Portsmouth coach Bruce Kalb. “Let’s be honest, if you’re scouting us, you’re thinking I’m going to get eight, maybe nine, even a 10th guy in the box. We probably averaged only seven passes a game last year. We want to take some of that pressure off Talyn.”

The Indians – off a 4-6 season – were already thinking about defending Parker during Valley’s Media Day activities, per 30-year head coach Darren Crabtree.

Head Coach Darren Crabtree

Current Team
Valley

“If you guys (media) know of a way to stop Parker, please let me know,” said Crabtree. “He only rushed for over 300 yards against us last year. I know they lost some good linemen, but this is a game that we feel we can compete well in like we did last year.”

 

Athens at Waverly

 

Speaking of shootouts, Athens and Waverly will likely be just that in their season-opening affair at Waverly’s Raidiger Field.

Kickoff is set for Friday night at 7 p.m.

It’s a new opponent on the schedule for both, as both are coming off 9-1 regular seasons and state playoff appearances a year ago.

Athens is Division III, falling only at Fairland 35-31, before steamrolling through the Tri-Valley Conference Ohio Division and scoring no fewer than 39 points in each league tilt.

Waverly is Division IV, and only lost to Division V state semifinalist and Southern Ohio Conference Division II champion Wheelersburg.

The Tigers tallied at least 31 points in each victory.

While Waverly graduated wide receiver Easton Wolfe, the Southeast District Division IV Offensive Player of the Year, they return fellow first-team all-district all-purpose performer Payton Shoemaker.

Shoemaker, a second-team all-Ohioan, carried the ball 157 times for 1,050 yards and 10 touchdowns – while returning 24 kickoffs or punts for a combined 516 yards and one score.

In an anticipated up-and-down hurry-up battle, the Tigers may have a difference-maker in third-team all-Ohio placekicker Grayson Diener.

Diener averaged 53 yards on kickoffs with 22 touchbacks in 2018, and made 31-of-35 extra points and 3-of-4 field goals.

The Bulldogs have a new head coach in Nathan White, who has been an assistant since 2011 under the highly-successful Ryan Adams, who resigned after last year and with a coaching record of 96-27 in a dozen seasons.

Adams is the winningest football coach in Athens High history, as the Bulldogs advanced to the Division III state championship game in 2014, with that season’s Ohio Mr. Football and current LSU quarterback Joe Burrow calling the signals.

This season, Athens is replacing 19 seniors, including the TVC-Ohio Offensive Player of the Year and all-Ohio quarterback Clay Davis.

Several first-year varsity players are starting for the Bulldogs, but junior Joey Moore looks to become the next successful Green and Gold gunslinger.

Nate Trainer (46 receptions, 619 yards and 6 TD) and Peyton Gail (33 receptions, 462 yards and 1 TD) return as receivers.

 

Nelsonville-York at Trimble

 

Last year, the Trimble Tomcats torched arch-rival Nelsonville-York 34-7 in the season opener – an emphatic jump-start to their second Division VII state championship bout appearance in school history.

Only a one-point late loss in the middle of the march to Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (21-20) prevented a perfect regular season.

The Tomcats, now a Division VI program by the narrowest of margins, seek similar – even perfect – results again.

Nelsonville-York, meanwhile, must bounce back after a rare losing campaign – a disappointing 4-6 season.

In fact, the Buckeyes have endured just two losing seasons since the 1970s – the other being four years ago after opening with a win at Trimble.

The two Athens County archrivals renew their series Saturday night – this time at Trimble inside Glouster Memorial Stadium at 7:30 p.m.

Since 2000, the Buckeyes actually lead the Tomcats in the all-time series 11-10, as Nelsonville-York had won three consecutive prior to last year.

Trimble returns eight starters on defense, including the reigning Ohio Division VII Defensive Player of the Year Sawyer Koons.

Koons – a senior linebacker – collected a massive 136 tackles including 32 for loss, as end Ian Joyce joins him in triple digits in tackles (102 and 34 for loss).

On Saturday night, Trimble tries to bottle up Buckeye backfield standout Keegan Wilburn – the defending Division VI Southeast District Offensive Player of the Year.

#
3
Name
Keegan Wilburn
Position
2020
Current Team
Nelsonville-York
Leagues
SEO, TVC-Ohio
Seasons
2019

Wilburn, an Ohio University commit and first-team all-Ohioan, was a 1,000-yard running back which scored 21 of the Buckeyes’ 32 total touchdowns.

In his first three seasons of his decorated Orange and Brown career, he has amassed 2,674 rushing yards, 1,379 receiving yards and 55 trips to paydirt.

But Wilburn won’t be the only all-Ohio offensive player on the field.

Trimble senior quarterback Cameron Kittle – directing a wishbone attack – was a third-team all-stater last year, rushing for 1,018 yards and throwing for 750 more with 24 touchdowns.

He is joined in the backfield by Conner Wright, who rushed for 1,848 yards and 27 TDs.

 

Wellston at Jackson

All things, whether good or bad, must come to an end.

So too must the Jackson-Wellston football series, as the two Jackson County archrivals renew their matchup for the 106th and final time.

Saturday night’s series finale kicks off inside Jackson’s Alumni Stadium at 8 p.m.

It was announced exactly 18 months ago that with this year’s conclusion of the current four-year contract, the Ironmen and Golden Rockets would part ways with their week-one contest.

However, it’s been a series seriously dominated by the Ironmen, as Jackson owns a lopsided 73-26-6 advantage in the all-time tally, including winning 27 of the past 28 meetings.

Wellston’s win in 2010 snapped its infamous 19-game losing streak against the Ironmen, of which the program is traditionally two divisions larger than the Golden Rockets.

In the past 14 meetings, of Wellston’s losses, the closest the Golden Rockets got was a 21-7 decision in 2009 and a 14-0 shutout in 2005.

Since that shocker of nine years ago, the Ironmen have won every matchup by at least three touchdowns, including last season’s blowout by a count of 54-14.

On Saturday, the Ironmen are indeed heavy favorites again, as two returning all-Southeast District Division III players headline their 48-man roster, including the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in senior Brice Parks.

#
25
Name
Brice Parks
Position
2020
Height
5-10
Weight
190
Current Team
Jackson
Leagues
FAC, SEO
Seasons
2019

#
12
Name
Jared Icenhower
Position
2020
Height
6-00
Weight
185
Current Team
Jackson
Leagues
FAC, SEO
Seasons
2019
Fellow Jackson senior Jared Icenhower  – and fellow all-district first-teamer – returns as the Red and White’s quarterback.

Head Coach Andy Hall

Current Team
Jackson
Jackson coach Andy Hall   begins his 11th season in the Apple City, while Mike Smith takes over the young Golden Rockets, becoming the 11th head football coach at Wellston since 1990, when the late Bill Fyffe concluded his five-year stint.

The Golden Rockets, under Fyffe in the late 1980s, won three of four meetings against Jackson, including Wellston’s last win AT Jackson in 1989.

Beginning in the 2020 campaign, the Ironmen open against Logan – and the Golden Rockets open against Oak Hill.

Also see game of the Week Wheelersburg @ Ironton 

Senior-laden Trojans trade size for speed

Senior-laden Trojans trade size for speed

 

By PAUL BOGGS

Photo’s by Kent Sanborn

 

PORTSMOUTH – If speed kills, then Portsmouth’s Talyn Parker is a killer.

Although, in addition, Parker is joined this season by some speedster and senior-laden Trojans.

As Portsmouth begins its second season under head coach Bruce Kalb, the Trojans – headlined by their talented and experienced senior running back – shift from a squad spearheaded by size to one which quickness is the quality.

“Last year, we were big up front with good size and some height. This year, we have guys with good speed and that are agile,” said Kalb. “Talyn Parker had an amazing year last year and set three school rushing records and gained all kinds of honors. But we have some other weapons than just him that we need to get the ball to if we’re going to be successful again. Let’s be honest, if you’re scouting us, you’re thinking I’m going to get eight, maybe nine, even a 10th guy in the box. We probably averaged only seven passes a game last year. We want to take some of that pressure off Talyn.”

The Trojans graduated 11 seniors, several of which were linemen blocking for Parker – a primary reason why the Trojans went 7-3 in the regular season and qualified for the Division V state playoffs.

They also enjoyed a 5-2 record in the Ohio Valley Conference, tying Ironton for second-place – after defeating fellow playoff qualifiers Ironton and Fairland.

Parker,

#
1
Name
Talyn Parker
Position
2020
Height
5-11
Weight
195
Current Team
Portsmouth
Leagues
OVC, SEO
Seasons
2019
the Southeast District Division V Offensive Player of the Year, rushed for more than 2,500 yards and 29 touchdowns – generating interest from several Football Bowl Subdivision colleges, including an offer from Toledo.

That is where his father, former Portsmouth star running back JoJo Parker, played.

Talyn stands at five-feet, 11 inches tall and weighs 195 pounds, but it’s his speed that burns opposing defenses.

“Talyn is a very dynamic athlete and runs so hard and so well,” said Kalb. “But this year, we want him to be more versatile than just an I-back running the ball. He is a solid running back, we’re going to give him the football, and we also want to throw it to him out of the backfield. Get him out in space even more.”

But the Trojans, although it may not always seem like it, are more than just a one-man show.

In fact, Kalb prefers his fastest men on defense first.

While Parker perhaps masked – for better or worse – the Trojans’ other strengths and weaknesses, the defense did do its job well, at times, last season.

Still, it allowed 40 points to Valley, 39 to Chesapeake, 34 in back-to-back losses against Gallia Academy and Coal Grove, and 28 against Ironton.

“Defensively, we want to use our speed and play fast. If we get out of position, we want guys who can get back into position and make plays,” said Kalb. “We want to swarm to the football, get in position and make good solid tackles and make good plays. My thing is speed kills. I tell (assistant coach) Bo Mayo our defensive coordinator, outside of our two defensive tackles, I want the fastest guys on the team playing defense.”

Chris Jenkins (5-10, 209, sr.) will be the strong side end with fellow senior KaDen Davis moving to the weak side in the Trojans’ 4-4 front.

Davis replaces Brian-Carey Knipp – a first-team all-district defensive end.

Mason Shepherd (5-5, 198, sr.) and Austin McKenzie (5-7, 217, sr.) are the tackles, with fellow senior Seth Porter (5-11, 225) and juniors JaQuan Pearsall (5-7, 200) and Rex Smith (5-9, 193) spelling them.

The end backups are seniors Jairemiah Brown (5-10, 193) and Tanner Queen (6-2, 224).

Parker and fellow senior Eric Purdy (5-8, 153) return as the outside linebackers, with senior Tyler McCoy (5-8, 208) coming back on the strong side inside.

The other inside linebacker could be Christian Keys (5-6, 156, jr), with sophomore Donavon Carr backing up Parker and Purdy.

Bryce Wallace returns at one cornerback with Ty Pendleton back at safety, while sophomores Dariyonne Bryant and Amare Johnson and junior Chris Duff are expected to compete for the other corner spot.

Purdy and Wallace will return at the wide receiver spots, but given the Trojans’ limited passing attack, they are heavily counted upon for being deep threats and blockers for Parker.

Bryant and Duff do provide depth, as Parker’s primary blockers are the fullback McCoy and tight end Jenkins, who is also a dependable receiver.

Jenkins is also Portsmouth’s punter.

“We took Chris Jenkins who is well-built and played wide receiver and we moved him down to tight end this year. He’s going to be a weapon because he’s a good mismatch,” said Kalb. “He’s a fast kid, a big kid, he can block. He’s just an athlete.”

Pendleton

#
40
Name
Ty Pendleton
Position
2020
Height
5-11
Weight
195
Current Team
Portsmouth
Leagues
OVC, SEO
Seasons
2019
– a 5-11, 194-pound senior who was all-district Honorable Mention – will spell both Parker and McCoy, and even Jenkins.

Kalb said the Trojans’ playmakers, especially seniors, will take the pressure off Parker.

“We have 14 seniors and 12 of those 14 have solid experience. I’m confident in them leading us. They are physically more mature, mentally more mature, They know ourschemes and what we want to accomplish. We make sure we get as many of the older guys with varsity experience on the field,” said the coach. “We have some dynamic players who can bring our young quarterback Drew Roe (5-6, 135, So.) along. We have our two top receivers coming back, so we want to throw the ball more and have Drew run the option and get outside and use his legs some.”

Up front, the Trojans graduated standout Colin Boehm – a first-team all-district offensive lineman.

Like the defensive line, the offensive line graduated four of six starters, as only Queen at center and McKenzie at guard return.

Smith is the other guard, with Brown and Porter playing the tackles.

Pearsall and Shepherd are the immediate fill-ins.

“We are replacing some linemen, so we want to get the new guys to jel together and grow as a group,” said Kalb.

The kicking game is another question mark, as those extra points and even two-point conversion attempts play a major role in deciding potential shootouts.

It was that way with Portsmouth in the OVC last season, and could be again.

Kalb considers defending conference champion Gallia Academy as the preseason favorite, but knows Ironton is talented and experienced and the remaining clubs are greatly improved.

“Gallia Academy is the defending champion and the team to knock off, and Ironton has a lot of hype around them. They have a lot of talent and three or four players that have major college interest. This league is going to be a challenge every single week with no easy opponents at all,” he said. “You’re going to have to prepare hard and really be ready for every single game. There’s not one night off in this conference.”

Thus, in order to slay the other OVC beasts, the Trojans will rely most on their killer called speed.

Kalb said his squad is ready to build off last season’s success.

Head Coach Bruce Kalb

Current Team
Portsmouth
Past Teams
Waverly

“I’m very proud to be a Trojan and all of our assistant coaches are graduates of PHS. We are excited to see what this season brings and are eager to watch the progress of these young men,” he said. “Every year is different and presents new challenges, but last season’s seniors set a high bar and passed the torch to these seniors who are ready to take more steps forward.”

Portsmouth plays host to the 2019 Southeastern Ohio season opener, welcoming Valley to Trojan Coliseum on Thursday night (Aug. 29).

Portsmouth 2019 Roster & Stats

#PlayerPositionHeightWeightCMPATTINTPYDSTDATTRUYDSTDRECREYDSTDSacksTacklesINTFGMFGA
1Talyn Parker20205-111950000015114832611162200000
2Bryce Wallace20206-021550000000026465800000
2Drew Roe20222355-069015561320164384000000000
3Dariyonne Bryant20226-011500000000000000000
4Donavon Carr20225-0816000000765100000000
5Brenden Truett20235-041450000000000000000
7Nan Heiland20235-051350000000000000000
9Eric Purdy20205-081550000000034486500000
10Mylan Brown20215-101850000000000000000
11Amare Johnson20225-041250000000000000000
12Tyler Duncan20235-071200000000000000000
12Chris Duff20215-0913500000000520000000
13Kan Davis20205-0716000000551100000000
14Michael Duncan20216-001800000000012166000000
16Jayvon Zuorg20225-041400000000000000000
20Eugene Johnson20206-001550000000000000000
21Christian Keys20215-061550000000000000000
22Aerto Poxes20225-082000000000000000000
23Brock Maitiq20235-031100000000000000000
24Chris Jenkins20205-102100000000000000000
25Shad Duckett20205-091650000000000000000
32Sethe Perry20226-001850000000000000000
35Tyler McCoy20205-0821000000241140430100000
40Ty Pendleton20205-11195000001048100000000
40Reade Pendleton20235-031250000000000000000
45Beau Hammond20235-071250000032000000000
50Can Scott20236-012040000000000000000
51Austin McKenzie20205-072150000000000000000
52Trey Williams20225-061900000000000000000
53Mason Shepherd20205-052000000000000000000
54Rex Smith20215-091950000000000000000
55JaQuan Pearsall20215-072000000000000000000
56Chance Tener20215-042150000000000000000
57Jairemiah Brown20205-101950000000000000000
58Hayn Yerardi20215-111500000000000000000
59James Thurman20225-051650000000000000000
60Tanner Queen20206-022250000000000000000
62Seth Porter20205-112250000000000000000
71Noah Carver20226-013100000000000000000
72Preston Mays20235-061450000000000000000
80Coy Brumfield20225-071350000000000000000
81Ethan Wallace20235-71550000000000000000
82Curtis Kearns20235-091450000000000000000
99Jesse Mitchell20236-012200000000000000000

Click here for Portsmouth Schedule, Results, Stats & Roster