Parker was the Portsmouth Trojans All-Ohio running back and Southeast district offensive player of the year last season. Parker's graduation may have left a big hole in the offense, but don't tell that to Jeremiah Bolden.

Bolden rushed 13 times for 349 yards and scored seven touchdowns as the Portsmouth Trojans opened the season with a 48-8 win over the Chesapeake Panthers Friday night at Spartan Stadium.

"What a great performance from out backfield. We had great running and blocking. Those guys played well," Portsmouth coach Curt Clifford said. "Our offensive line really came off the ball tonight."

Chesapeake coach Phil Davis had a mixed reaction. He had plenty of praise for the Trojans, but was disappointed in his team's performance.

"They were better up front than last year, and that was as much a key as anything. And we didn't tackle very well. They did good, but we helped. We took ourselves out of the ballgame early," Panthers coach Phil Davis said.

"On one play they blocked us, but on every other play we hit (Bolden). We just didn't tackle well."

Chesapeake rushed for 138 yards led by Michael Hunt with 82 yards on 12 carries. He also had a pass interception.

The Panthers fumbled the first play of the game and Portsmouth scored on the next play as Bolden raced 23 yards for a touchdown. Jeremy Mathis kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

Portsmouth came back with another scoring drive capped by Bolden's 1-yard scoring run and a 14-0 lead.

The back breaker came with time running out in the quarter following a Chesapeake punt that pinned the Trojans back on the 5-yard line.

All Bolden did was dash 95 yards for the touchdown and a 21-0 lead.

"Every break we got, we didn't take advantage of it. We pinned them on their 5-yard line and Bolden goes 95 yards.

Bolden wasn't even close to being finished.

In the second quarter, he raced 57 yards for a touchdown with 10:49 left in the half and it was 28-0.

Bolden then dashed 51 yards for a touchdown and it was 34-0 after the conversion kick failed.

The Trojans scored two more touchdowns within a minute. Bolden ran 17 yards for a score with 4:53 on the clock, then scampered 40 yards for a touchdown with 3:54 left in the half.

The Panthers avoided the shutout when Jackson Caynor ran 6 yards for a touchdown with 9:22 left in the game. Justin Finley ran for the conversion.

The Panthers travel to Wayne, W.Va., next Friday.

Chesapeake0008--8

Portsmouth212700--48

First Quarter

Prt -- Jeremiah Bolden 23 run (Jeremy Mathis kick)

11:47

Prt -- Jeremiah Bolden 1 run (Jeremy Mathis kick) 6:31

Prt -- Jeremiah Bolden 95 run (Jeremy Mathis kick) 1:39

Second Quarter

Prt -- Jeremiah Bolden 57 run (Payton kick) 10:49

Prt -- Jeremiah Bolden 51 run (kick failed) 6:54

Prt -- Jeremiah Bolden 17 run (Payton kick) 4:53

Prt -- Jeremiah Bolden 40 run (Payton kick) 3:54

Fourth Quarter

Ch -- Jackson Caynor 6 run (Justin Finley run) 9:22 Jim Walker/The Ironton Tribune