From The Portsmouth Daily Times, Friday 3 Nov 2000, pg. B1-B2
"After Finishing 10-0, Trojans Starting
Over:
"Portsmouth Opens Playoffs Against Jackson
"By Adam VanKirk, Times Sports Writer
"The Portsmouth Trojans are the Division III AP state champs and have wrapped up their first undefeated regular season since 1953. But all that means nothing going into the playoffs.
"It's down to the point in the season where it's one loss and [you're] out as the No. 1 seeded Trojans will host No. 8 seeded Jackson Saturday night at Spartan Stadium in a Region 12 opening-round playoff game.
"'I think everybody's goal is to get to Canton or Massillon to play for a state championship,' Portsmouth coach Curt Clifford said before practice Thursday. 'That has to be the goal or there's no [sense] in going to the playoffs. But the approach that you take, though, is that good things come to those who are patient. And if you can approach it one game at a time and stay grounded, focused and disciplined while keeping your eye on the immediate threat to knock you out, then [you're] okay.'
"The immediate threat for the Trojans will be a Jackson team that finished the season 8-2 and is coming into the playoffs off of two-straight - and two-straight convincing losses.
"The Ironmen lost 62-14 to Logan and 35-21 to Gallipolis, but despite a two-game slide, Jackson coach Randy Layton is hoping for an inspired team Saturday.
"'We obviously look at Portsmouth as the No. 1 team in the state and know we're the underdogs,' Layton said. 'And with us coming off two losses, we're just hoping the kids come down and play as hard as they can.'
"Jackson will look for tailback T.J. Mustard to help the Ironmen rebound this week against a Trojans defense which is allowing just six points a game and has shutout its opponents five times this season.
"Mustard is the Ironmen's leading rusher, coming into the game with 970 yards on 159 carries.
"But Mustard can't do it alone, according to Layton, who said Thursday before practice that he will be looking for a controlled rushing attack against the Trojans.
"Fullback David Swisher and quarterback Ryan Tipton are second and third on the team with 854 and 782 yards rushing respectively.
"'Obviously, we are a run-oriented team,' Layton said. 'We've rushed for over 330 yards a game and that's going to be very important. We have to move the football and pick up first downs to keep (Portsmouth) off the field.'
"While Jackson's offense will be looking to move the chains, Clifford expects the Ironmen defense will be attacking the line of scrimmage, looking to make the Trojans throw the football.
"Portsmouth quarterback Josiah Young has completed 40 percent of his passes this season while throwing for 847 yards and holds a 9-to-8 touchdown to interception ratio.
"But while Clifford admitted to expecting Jackson to bring a lot of players into the box at times, he contends his style of offense won't change. And that style has lead to 3,698 yards rushing this season.
"'We aren't changing anything,' Clifford said. 'We're 10-0, have scored 450 points and are averaging 480 yards of offense. You kind of have to play the odds. How many times are you going to be able to shut down (Jeremy) Hamrick and (Joseph) Parker?'
"Parker is leading the Trojans' rushing attack with 1,606 yards and 22 touchdowns while Hamrick has rushed for 932 yards and 17 touchdowns and is coming off a four-touchdown game last week in a 45-0 win at Wheelersburg.
"While Jackson's defense will have its hands full against a Portsmouth offense which is scoring 48 points per game, its offense will be going up against a defense which is allowing just 158 yards a game and under 100 yards rushing.
"Jeff Swords leads the Trojans' defense with 105 tackles from his inside linebacker position and Dustin Pendleton and Eric Wamsley are both in double-digits in sacks this season with 11 and 10 respectively while Antonio Malone leads the secondary with three interceptions.
"[Whether] [it's] on offense or defense, bottom line is that Layton knows his team will have its hands full Saturday night.
"'Not only does Portsmouth have great speed, but they have size and a defense that swarms to the ball,' Layton said. 'They can score from anywhere on the field and, after looking at them on film, it's hard to fight any weaknesses.'"
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