WEST PORTSMOUTH -- After losing by a combined 96-0 the past two season including 59-0 lead year, the Fairland Dragons weren't given much of a chance against last year's Division IV state runner-up Portsmouth West.

But the past was merely a bad memory for the Dragons who made the present count with a stunning 20-18 upset of the Senators in Friday's season opener.

"We knew going in we'd have to play well, and we did. I was tickled to death for the kids," Fairland coach Bryan Ward said.

"The kids played hard. That's a big win. They had some big linemen. We had some success throwing and that opened up the running game. Chance Adkins ran extremely hard."

Chance Adkins ran for 100 yards and quarterback Michael Hill threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns as Fairland

rolled up 331 total yards. Linebacker C. J. Stewart had 14 tackles.

West had 280 yards including 224 on the ground as Scott Summers ran 14 times for 84 yards and Jason Bailey had 83 on nine attempts.

Ward said the turning point for the game came early. With about six minutes to go in the first quarter, Hill threw a pass in the flats to Sam Huff who split the two defenders and raced down the sidelines on a 90-yard scoring play. The conversion failed and it was 6-0.

"Our first touchdown was a quick hitch to Sammy Huff and he split two defenders. I think that was the turning point. It gave our kids a boost and our kids felt like they could play with them," Ward said.

West put together a five play, 52-yard drive capped by Bailey's 26-yard scoring run that tied the score.

The game remained tied until the third quarter.

Matt Dawson recovered a West fumble at the 27-yard line early in the half. Six plays later, Hill hit Tyler Bowman with an 8-yard strike,

and it was 12-6.

The Senators came through with a clutch drive in the fourth quarter as they marched 71 yards in 14 plays and crewed up 6:42 off the block.

Brandin Bradshaw caught a 19-yard pass from Levi Morgan, and the game was tied at 18.

Adkins, who had a 15-yard run to start the overtime, scored on the fourth play of overtime from 5 yards out to give Fairland the lead. On the conversion, Hill hit Tyler Bowman, and it was 20-18.

"We put in a play that was haven't worked on much and Mike (Hill) worked it to perfection," Ward said. "Hill threw the ball well."

West answered with a touchdown on its overtime possession as Josh Logan ran 14 yards.

Stewart and fellow linebacker Deryk Neal combined to make a big hit on the conversion in overtime that preserved the win. Morgan was forced to scramble and attempt a pass that fell incomplete.

"On the two-point conversion, (Stewart) came on a charge with Deryk Neal and made a big play," Ward said.

Logan had two interceptions and Jason Pendleton one for the Senators.

The win snapped a four-game season opener losing streak.

Fairland60608--20

Ports. West60066--18

First Quarter

Fa -- Sam Huff 90 pass from Michael Hill (run failed) 5:41

PW -- Jason Bailey 26 run (kick failed) 2:50

Third Quarter

Fa -- Tyler Bowman 8 pass from Michael Hill (kick failed) 9:09

(6-27, fumble recovery by Matt Dawson)

Fourth Quarter

PW -- Brandin Bradshaw 19 pass from Levi Morgan (kick failed) 1:06

(71 14 plays 6:42)

Overtime

Fa -- Chance Adkins 5 run (Tyler Bowman pass from Michael Hill)

PW -- Josh Logan 4 run (pass failed)

First downs: Fairland10, Portsmouth West13

Rushes-yards: Fairland22-140, Portsmouth West58-224

Passing yards: Fairland191, Portsmouth West56

Totals yards: Fairland331, Portsmouth West280

Cmp-Att-Int: Fairland11-21-3, Portsmouth West5-12-0

Punts-average: Fairland2-26.5, Portsmouth West4-26.5

Fumbles-lost: Fairland2-2, Portsmouth West5-2

Penalties-yards: Fairland6-47, Portsmouth West7-55

Individual Leaders

RUSHING – Fairland: Chance Adkins 11-100, C. J. Stewart 8-30, Tyler Bowman 2-6, Michael Hill 1-4; Ports. West: Scott Summers 14-84, Jason Bailey 9-83, Johnny Rawlins 4-32, Josh Logan 14-29, Sean Bower 4-16, Jerrod Pendleton 1-5, Levi Morgan 2-minus 15.

PASSING – Fairland: Michael Hill 11-21-3

191; Ports. West: Levi Morgan 5-12-0

56.

RECEIVING – Fairland: Sam Huff 3-121, Adam Fuller 3-30, Tyler Bowman 5-40; Ports. West: Josh Logan 1-21, Brandon Bradshaw 1-19, Nick Barlett 1-18, Johnny Rawlins 1-2, Sean Bower 1- minus 4.

MISSED FIELD GOAL: West, 35 (WR)