Week 2: West (0-1) @ Portsmouth (1-0)

[BuckeyeBlood]

Rivalry game week 2. West will make the 10 minute drive up the river to face Portsmouth. West is coming off a 34-0 spanking at the hands of a good Fairland team with a very dangerous offense. West offense looked slow and their line got dominated on both sides of the ball. Portsmouth is coming off a 3 point squeaker win at Valley on Thursday night. The Portsmouth offense didn’t live up to last seasons potent running threat week 1, but the defense was really good, especially against the run. They held Gabe McNeil (Valley) to 53 yards on the ground.
Neither team can really throw the ball. They will both look to run and run some more, as well as play hard tough defense. Last year West dominated this matchup, and coming into the year many would think they would again, now maybe these teams are more even than people thought? What’s everyone’s thoughts and predictions on this game?

[Prime Time]

Portsmouth 35 West 7

[a-trainsalomone]

Portsmouth Trojans in this one in the lovely Trojan Coliseum with Chase Heiland running all over West Siders.

[VetteMan]

Not quite sure just how good that Fairland might be. They just may be one of the better teams in the OVC this season. I do think that the running back for the Trojans is very good. At this point of the season, I'll give the nod to the Trojans.

[art_vandelay]

I gonna take Portsmouth in this one. West has one heck of an offensive line and running back. Not sure if they have anything else.*

[SiderSammy]

The Senators had too many all around mistakes and looked very sluggish on both sides of the ball. The “game plans” looked very predictable once again. The Trojans will pin their ears back to stop the run. It’s hard to pass from your back. I’m going to give the edge in “preparation” to the Trojans, but will hope for a west win somehow.

[packers80]

I feel this will be a good one. Fairland a tick better that expected and took advantage of the West secondary. West maybe not quite as good as we thought this year...yet. PHS is gonna run it and so is west. Strength on strength. Gimme west by 3. Just my opinion. Good luck to both squads.

[Nicknevada86]

Always a war
Phs 28
West 14

[SOCobserver]

West will clean up their mistakes and win this one.

[A Trojan Confluence]

Both probably looking to improve from week 1.

Portsmouth running to a score of 20
West 13

[SiderBlood]

A little different analysis than I would have had before week one. Neither one has any threat of throwing the ball downfield. If we come out acting a little more motivated, I think this matchup favors West. Fairland exposed us so much through the air it changed the game dramatically. Really want to see some Senior leadership this week. The sideline was DEAD in Proctorville. Hoping for some higher emotions and sense of urgency in this week two rivalry game. Go Siders.

West is 17-25 all time against the Trojans. West is 11-9 in the past 20 years. Might as well call it a coin flip like a good rivalry should be.

[Hoopster98]

West. I think West can throw the ball better than Portsmouth. Portsmouth has the better athletes to throw it especially with Adkins at the WR. I don’t believe he has a reception last week.

[portsmouth_98]

Someone is going to have to throw it at some point in this game. Whichever team has even a little success in that regard will likely come out on top.

[ValleyIndian3349]

I have to take Portsmouth here. I think that the PW offense will struggle to get it going, and if Portsmouth can get their running game clicking, I don't know if West can stop it. I think Portsmouth should also be good if it becomes a passing game, but if they can rely on their run game they should be good. I do not think West is all that this year.

[PTrojan59]

I think Portsmouth can throw it and be successful with the right play calling. A nice screen to Heiland worked for about 10 yards against Valley, and a little short out route to Brooks also went for a nice gain. You don’t have to throw it down the field to have a successful passing attack. Throw some screens, work the sidelines, that will only help your running game. It was when they tried to throw it down the field more than about 20 yards when he was picked off. Work to your QB’s strengths, he’s little, he’s fast, get him out of the pocket and dump it off, or take off.
Portsmouth looked great last year against West for about 2 series and then it fell apart. West lost several key pieces and Portsmouth retained a lot. This is a winnable game for Portsmouth, especially if the run defense shows up again like it did in Lucasville. Portsmouth secondary seems to be improved as well. Give me Portsmouth 27-19

[Jeaux Burreaux]

Initially i thought west could win this but I’ll go Portsmouth. I may even change my mind come Friday anyway

[TrojanAlumn]

I think Portsmouth can throw it and be successful with the right play calling. A nice screen to Heiland worked for about 10 yards against Valley, and a little short out route to Brooks also went for a nice gain. You don’t have to throw it down the field to have a successful passing attack. Throw some screens, work the sidelines, that will only help your running game. It was when they tried to throw it down the field more than about 20 yards when he was picked off. Work to your QB’s strengths, he’s little, he’s fast, get him out of the pocket and dump it off, or take off.
Portsmouth looked great last year against West for about 2 series and then it fell apart. West lost several key pieces and Portsmouth retained a lot. This is a winnable game for Portsmouth, especially if the run defense shows up again like it did in Lucasville. Portsmouth secondary seems to be improved as well. Give me Portsmouth 27-19

When we do pass I think that is what they are trying to do with him, get him out of the pocket on a roll out. I think the problem comes in with him holding the ball too long though. If a guy is open, give it to him now! It's like he has to be in a certain spot of the field to throw it. I'd like to some shots downfield but doubt it comes. There's no weighing out his options and going through reads. If that 1 guy isn't wide open he's running. We definitely need an attack through the air or the box will be stacked all year long. The OL isn't just moving guys out of the way with ease so that could be trouble in the long run. Hope we figure it out sooner than later

[SiderBlood]

Does Portsmouth live stream?

[BuckeyeBlood]

Does Portsmouth live stream?

It’s going to be live on YouTube through Appalachian Media Marketing. I think they partnered with WNXT.

[PTrojan59]

Game Day, good luck Trojans!