Wheelersburg Pirates rolled past Portsmouth Trojans 63-0 on Friday night at Ed Miller Stadium, a blowout that underscored the Pirates’ offensive potency and defensive opportunism. The win, the first regular-season clash between the two teams in ten years, was a showcase of Wheelersburg’s balanced attack and disciplined execution.
The Pirates amassed 549 total yards on 45 plays while holding Portsmouth to just 142 yards on 39 offensive plays. Wheelersburg’s defense forced three takeaways, turning two into touchdowns, and kept the Trojans’ offense stalled throughout the contest.
Offensively, Wheelersburg scored on each of its first eight drives. Junior quarterback Jack Doerr completed 10 of 11 passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns to three different receivers. His first nine completions were successful, including a 21-yard touchdown to Jonah Collier, a 44-yard strike to Xavier Miller, and a 52-yard touchdown to Graham Hanes. Backup Graer Woodward went 2-for-2 for 36 yards, finding Lane Williams on a 21-yard fourth-and-12 to push the lead to 56-0.
Running backs also contributed heavily. Stephen Hall ran for 1- and 7-yard touchdowns, while Logan Whitt added a 5- and 20-yard rush for two scores. Canaan Arthur led the backfield with 97 yards on five carries, and Brady Music added 54 yards on four handoffs.
Special teams were a key factor. Senior wide receiver and defensive back Cameron Conn, in his first game after replacing former kicker Cooper Heimbach, converted all nine extra points and delivered six touchbacks on kickoffs, giving the Pirates advantageous field position. Senior punt returner Xavier Miller returned a 49-yard punt for a touchdown and had a 69-yard return that was nullified by a block.
Portsmouth struggled to find rhythm. Quarterback Cam Williams completed 13 of 23 passes for 139 yards and an interception. The Trojans’ offense was hampered by a lack of depth; the first play saw Williams find senior wideout JJ Henderson, who was stripped of the ball after a tackle, allowing Collier to recover for a turnover. Despite the loss, Portsmouth’s Fernando Poxes caught four passes for 34 yards and Mekhi Berry had three receptions for 32 yards.
Coach Rob Woodward praised the Pirates’ teamwork, noting that “a lot of guys touched the football from an offensive perspective” and that the team “didn’t turn it over.” Portsmouth coach Sammons acknowledged the Trojans’ resilience, stating, “None of those guys are quitters. They are team guys. They want to compete.”
The rivalry dates back to 1973, with Wheelersburg holding 27 of 38 meetings. Their last regular-season encounter was in 2016, and the next season will see them as conference rivals when Portsmouth joins the SOC III in 2027.
The Pirates’ 63-0 victory remains a dominant statement as they continue their 2026 campaign, while Portsmouth looks to regroup for the upcoming season.
