Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PORTSMOUTH — Blake Howard gave a season’s worth of work in one game.

Howard ran seven times for 74 yards and four touchdowns and also returned a kickoff for another score as the Lucasville Valley Indians rolled past the Portsmouth Trojans 33-0 on Thursday in the season opener for both teams.

After a Trojans’ punt to start the game, the Indians scored just four plays later on a 35-yard blast by Howard. Brice Romanello kicked the conversion.

The Trojans shanked a punt on their next possession that traveled 11 yards to the Portsmouth 20. Four plays later Howard scored again from 5 yards out and it was 14-0.

The Indians got the ball back at their own 47. A 25-yard pass from Bryan Rolfe to Derek Burk got the ball to the Trojans’ 28 and five plays later Howard powered into the end zone from a yard out and it was 21-0.

Howard scored on a 6-yard run that pushed the lead to 27-0 before the half.

Portsmouth threatened at the end of the half but Zach Delotell missed a 25-yard field goal attempt.

Valley capped the scoring on a 90-yard kickoff return by Howard to start the second half.

The Indians racked up 306 total years with 189 rushing. Sam Basham added 44 yards on seven attempts.

Rolfe was 8-of-11 for 117 yards and an interception and also ran four times for 54 yards.

Portsmouth had 132 yards offense but only 21 were through the air. Darray Rickardson ran 10 times for 50 yards.

Next Friday, Portsmouth hosts Portsmouth West and Valley visits Coal Grove.

Lucasville 14 13 6 0 = 33

Portsmouth 0 0 0 0 = 0

First Quarter

LV — Blake Howard 35 run (Brice Romanello kick)

LV — Blake Howard 5 run (Brice Romanello kick)

Second Quarter

LV — Blake Howard 1 run (Brice Romanello kick)

LV — Brice Romanello 6 run (kick failed)

Third Quarter

LV — Blake Howard 90 kickoff return (kick failed)

LV Prt

First downs 18 10

Rushes-yards 25-189 37-111

Passing yards 117 21

Total yards 306 132

Cmp-Att-Int 8-11-1 4-8-0

Fumbles-lost 0-0 2-1

Penalties-yards 2-15 3-42

Sacks-yards 2-17 0-0

Time of possession 14:47 26:51

Individual Leaders

RUSHING—LV: Blake Howard 7-74 4 TDs, Bryan Rolfe 4-56, Sam Basham 7-44, Drew Wolford 3-13, J.T. Ward 4-2; Portsmouth: Darray Richardson 10-50, Austin Hollins 11-30, Austin Mullins 4-20, Cole Lowery 12-11.

PASSING—LV: Bryan Rolfe 8-11-1 117; Portsmouth: Cole Lowery 4-8-0 21.

RECEIVING—LV: Brice Romanello 2-47, Derek Burk 3-44, Blake Howard 1-14, Kenny Williams 1-6; Portsmouth: Austin Hollins 3-13, Ryan Williams 1-8.

MISSED FIELD GOALS: Zach Delotell, Portsmouth, 25 (WR).