Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PROCTORVILLE — It was supposed to be a matchup between Portsmouth Trojans running back Talyn Parker and Fairland Dragons running back Michael Stitt.
However, the defenses didn’t want to be left out.
Both teams turned in solid defensive efforts but Parker was too much to contain for an entire game as the Trojans beat the Dragons 20-12 in an Ohio Valley Conference game on Friday.
Parker ran 17 times for 177 yards and three touchdowns to help the Trojans overcome five turnovers including four lost fumbles.
Fairland (4-3, 2-2) lost the ball three times on interceptions. Quarterback Max Ward was 11-of-17 for 80 yards with an interception while Gavin Hunt was 0-for-3 and two picks.
Dariyonne Bryant had a 64-yard interception return to set up a Portsmouth touchdown. Eric Purdy and Ty Pendleton also had interceptions.
Zander Schmidt had a pick for the Dragons.
Fairland scored first on a 32-yard run by Michael Stitt in the second quarter and it was 6-0.
Portsmouth (6-1, 3-1) Tied the game when Parker got loose on a 50-yard scoring run.
Neither team scored in the third quarter and Fairland went up 12-6 on a 4-yard scoring run by Tevin Taylor.
But Parker ran 31 yards for a touchdown and Joel Bowling’s conversion kick gave the Trojans the lead for good at 12-13.
Parker added a 12-yard TD scamper later in the quarter and Bowling again kicked the conversion.
Stitt finished the game with 50 yards on 16 carries.
Next Friday, Fairland visits Coal Grove and Portsmouth host South Point.
Portsmouth 0 6 0 14 = 20
Fairland 0 6 0 6 = 12
Second Quarter
Fa — Michael Stitt 32 run (kick failed)
Prt — Talyn Parker 50 run (kick failed)
Fourth Quarter
Fa — Tevin Taylor 4 run (run failed)
Prt — Talyn Parker 31 run (Joel Bowling kick)
Prt — Talyn Parker 12 run (Joel Bowling kick)
Prt Fa
First downs 12 16
Rushes-yards 31-165 38-57
Passing yards 30 80
Total yards 195 137
Cmp-Att-Int 7-12-1 11-21-3
Fumbles-lost 4-4 0-0
Penalties-yards 5-25 2-30
Time of Possession 15:34 28:55
Individual Leaders
RUSHING — Portsmouth: Talyn Parker 17-177, Ty Pendleton 6-21, Tyler McCoy 3-0, Drew Roe 5-minus 13; Fairland: Michael Stitt 16-50, Tevin Taylor 3-15, J.D. Brumfield 15-6, Gavin Hunt 3-minus 3, Max Ward 1-minus 11.
PASSING — Portsmouth: Drew Roe 5-7-1 30; Fairland: Max Ward 11-17-1 80, Gavin Hunt 0-3-0, Zander Schmidt 0-1-0.
RECEIVING — Portsmouth: Michael Duncan 1-17, Eric Purdy 2-12, Bryce Wallace 3-10; Fairland: Reilly Sowards 2-45, Gavin Hunt 3-20, Zander Schmidt 1-15, Brennen West 1-10, J.D. Brumfield 1-minus 4, Michael Stitt 3-minus 6.