From The Portsmouth Daily Times, Sunday 12 Nov 2000, pg. B1
"Portsmouth in Regional Finals:
"Portsmouth's Speed Holds Purcell-Marian to 0 Yards of Offense
"By Adam VanKirk, Times Sports Writer
"HILLSBORO - Portsmouth coach Curt Clifford was asked by the Cincinnati media last week, 'How are (you) going to deal with all of Purcell Marian's speed.' The Trojans answered that question Saturday night.
"The Trojans handed Purcell Marian its worst loss of the season and held the Cavaliers to just six yards of total offense, including -63 yards rushing in their Division III Regional semifinal held at Hillsboro High School.
"As far as speed goes, it was pretty evident who had the advantage Saturday, as the Trojans scored on runs of 20, 58 and one i the first quarter to propel[] Portsmouth to a 37-6 win.
"'We're faster than Purcell,' Clifford said. 'I didn't know we were until I saw the first couple of series and then I knew it.'
"Portsmouth running back Jeremy Hamrick scored on the Trojans' first two possessions on runs of 20 and 58 yards and scored twice more on runs of one and six in the fourth quarter. The 5-foot-9, 175 pound halfback finished the night with a game-high 139 yards rushing and four touchdowns.
"While Hamrick had the Cavaliers' defense running in circles all night, the Trojans' defense put up arguably the most impressive stat of the game -- -63 yards rushing for Purcell Marian.
"Dustin Pendleton (five tackles, two sacks), Jeremy Mathis (eight tackles, one sack), Derek Thompson (five tackles, one sack), and Eric Wamsley (10 tackles, one sack) lead a relentless Trojans defense Saturday, as Purcell Marian's only score of the game came on a 44-yard interception return with 1:26 left in the third quarter.
"'Our defense has done it all year long,' Clifford said. 'There's no question about that. It was just another unbelievable performance.'
"Tyler Hammond and Antonio Malone had an interception and a fumble recovery respectively for the Trojans' defense.
"A late block from D.J. Carter allowed Bradley Parker to finish off a 72-yard punt return for a touchdown early in the third quarter.
"While the Trojans held Purcell Marian to just three first downs, Clifford said he never really expected the Trojans to dominate the Cavaliers like they did Saturday.
"'They just stepped up and executed the offensive and defensive gameplans,' the 12th-year coach said.
"With the win, No. 1 seeded Portsmouth will take on No. 2 seeded Dayton Chaminade-Julienne, which beat New Richmond 15-14 at Lockland Memorial Stadium in Cincinnati Saturday night, for the Regional championship.
"Statistics:
"Purcell Marian ------ 0 - 0 - 6 - 0 -- 6
"Portsmouth ---------- 18- 0 - 6 - 13-- 37
"First Quarter
"P -- Jeremy Hamrick 20-run (kick failed, 9:11).
"P -- Jeremy Hamrick 58-run (run failed, 6:52).
"P -- Zach Harris 1-run (run failed, 3:16).
"Second Quarter
"Third Quarter
"P -- Bradley Parker 72-punt return (run failed, 9:11).
"PM - Richie Pearson 44-interception return (pass failed, 1:26).
"Fourth Quarter
"P -- Jeremy Hamrick 1-run (kick failed, 9:36).
"P -- Jeremy Hamrick 6-run (Fleming kick, 2:35).
"Team Stats:
"First Downs: PHS 12; PM 3
"Rushing: PHS 45-214; PM 27-(-63)
"Passing: PHS 29; PM 69
"Total Yards: PHS 243; PM 6
"Penalties: PHS 5-35; PM 6-65
"Fumbles-Lost: PHS 4-1; PM 2-1
"Punts: PHS 4-104; PM 9-215
"Punt Returns: PHS 3-86; PM 3-38
"Kick Returns: PHS 2-16; PM 6-110
"Individual Stats:
"Rushing: PHS - Hamrick 17-139; J. Parker 21-81; Harris 3-8; Young
4-14. PM - Taylor 2-17; Berry 1-10; Blackley 12-7; White 6-53.
"Receiving: PHS - Thompson 1-29. PM - Elliott 2-28; Berry 1-18;
Fairbanks 1-14; Anderson 1-9.
"Passing: PHS - Hammond 1-1, 29, 0, 0; Young 0-6, 0, 0, 1. PM -
White 4-24, 69, 0, 1."
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