WEST PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth West must have listened to the song “Born To Be Wild” before the game, because the Senators got their motor “running” in a 34-14 win over the South Point Pointers

The Senators gained 420 total yards — all on the ground — and Trevon Pendleton led the rushing attack with 259 yards and three touchdowns.

“We worked this week on our offensive line finishing their blocks, and (South Point) was shifting on defense to stop our outside run,” Portsmouth West coach Merril Triplett said.

“We were able to make some halftime adjustments to get our running game going in the middle, and our backs made good decisions tonight.”

After both teams traded punts to open the game, Portsmouth West got on the board when quarterback Levi Ratliff capped a 14-play, 80-yard drive with a one-yard run. Pendleton ran in the conversion, and the Senators had an 8-0 lead with 1:56 to go in the first. The drive encompassed six minutes and saw the Senators convert a fourth down just before the touchdown.

After a South Point (0-3) punt to open the second quarter, Portsmouth West got the ball at the Pointers 32-yard line. Four plays later, Portsmouth West faced another fourth down and again converted when Pendleton scored his first touchdown of the night from 24-yards out. The two-point try was no good, and the Senators led 14-0 with 9:48 to go in the half.

On the ensuing possession, the Pointers got on the board on the third play of the series when running back Doug Dillon raced down the sideline for an 84-yard score. Quarterback Kyle Dickess found Greg Taylor for the conversion and it was 14-8 with 8:16 to go in the second.

“It’s a game of execution, and Portsmouth West was able to execute better tonight,” South Point coach Doug Shilot said. “We had opportunities tonight to put more points on the board, but we just did not make the plays when we needed to.”

Portsmouth West (2-1) faced a third-and-8, but Levi Ratliff was stripped and South Point’s Robert Woodard recovered the fumble to give the Pointers the ball at the Senators 37. However, West’s defense held on downs and took over at their own 28.

After converting on another fourth down, two consecutive penalties forced the Senators into a first down and 22. However, Pendleton found a seam for a gain of 54-yards down to the South Point 12. On the next play, Mark Murphy powered his way into the end zone to give the Senators a 20-8 lead at the half.

After both teams traded punts on the first three series of the second half, Portsmouth West got the ball at the South Point 48. On the first play, Pendleton raced 48 yards for the score. Kyle Auger added the extra-point and the lead was 27-8 with 5:19 to go in the third.

On the ensuing possession, South Point moved the ball down to the Senators 4-yard line but turned the ball over on downs on the second play of the fourth quarter. However, after moving out to the 40 yard-line, South Point’s Will Hill picked up a fumble and returned it 40-yards for a touchdown. The conversion was no good, and the score was 27-14 with 8:22 to go in the game.

On the second play of the ensuing possession, Pendleton set the final score when he broke free for a 55-yard score. Auger kicked the extra-point, and the final score was set at 34-14.

Doug Dillon led South Point with 140 yards rushing and a touchdown. Kyle Dickess was two of seven passing for 47 yards.

Mark Murphy finished the game with 57 yards and a touchdown, and Levi Ratliff added 27-yards and a score for the Senators.

South Point hosts Point Pleasant, W.Va. next week, and Portsmouth West travels to Rock Hill.

South Point 0 8 0 6 — 14

Ports. West 8 16 7 7 — 34

First Quarter

PW — Levi Ratliff one run (Trevon Pendleton run) 1:56

Second Quarter

PW — Trevon Pendleton 24 run (run no good) 9:48

SP — Doug Dillon 84 run (2-pt pass- Dickess to Taylor) 8:16

PW — Mark Murphy 12 run (run no good) :09

Third Quarter

PW — Trevon Pendleton 48 run (Kyle Auger kick) 5:19

Fourth Quarter

SP — Will Hill 40 fumble recovery (run no good) 8:22

PW — Trevon Pendleton 55 run (Auger kick) 7:24

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SP PW

First downs 7 18

Rushes-yards 40-176 49-420

Passing yards 47 0

Total yards 223 420

Cmp-Att-Int 2-8-0 0-3-0

Penalties-yards 1-10 5-30

Punts-Average 4-22.5 2-21.5

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Individual Leaders

RUSHING – South Point: Doug Dillon 22-140 TD. Brandon Hedrick 9-20, Kyle Dickess 5-18, Will Hill 2-7, Austin Mahjer 1- minus 2, Tevin Mitchell 3- minus 7; Portsmouth West: Trevon Pendleton 19-259 3 TD, Mark Murphy 14-57 TD, Alex Thompson 1-34, Levi Ratliff 8-27 TD, Tanner Journey 3-16, Kyle Locher 3-15, Kyle Auger 1-12.

PASSING –South Point: Kyle Dickess 2-7-47, Austin Mahjer 0-1-0; Portsmouth West: Levi Ratliff 0-3-0.

RECEIVING –South Point: Matt Button 1-39, Josh Hamm 1-8; Portsmouth West: None.