Smith's historic performance leads Portageville in 43-0 rout of NMCC

Portageville's Mason Adams (6) blocks and Jamarion Smith (24) runs during a 43-0 win at New Madrid County Central on Thursday, October 19, 2023. 

Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

NEW MADRID, Mo. — It was billed as the clash of the year in southeast Missouri and a battle between conference champions, but Portageville delivered a knockout blow to New Madrid County Central with an emphatic 43-0 shutout.

Jamarion Smith cemented his status as the frontrunner for all of the top postseason awards by rushing for 432 yards and six touchdowns and the Bulldogs (8-1) shattered expectations and the Eagles’ (8-1) perfect record on Thursday, October 19.

"He’s my favorite player of the year,” said Portagevile coach Ian Penrod of his star running back. “I don't know what else to say about him. He's proven himself over and over again. If anyone is still doubting him, I don't know why. And if any college coaches aren't recruiting him, they're going to regret it."

NMCC's Jadis Jones (10) tries to strip the ball away from Portageville's Jamarion Smith (24) during the Bulldogs' 43-0 win on Thursday, October 19, 2023. 

Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

Portageville turned to its heavy package, which features Smith taking the direct snap with quarterback Mason Adams lined up as a lead blocker, to wear down the NMCC defense.

“[Adams] is our best blocker and loves it,” Penrod said. “I’ve said it a million times, but he’s a fantastic leader, probably one of the best I will ever have as a coach. To go from slinging the ball to lead blocking is literally the quintessential idea of what it means to be a leader. That kid embodies it every day. He doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk, leads by example and helps show the young guys how they are supposed to behave and play. Self-interest goes out the window.

"We wanted to see if we could spread the defense out, but our bread and butter is still running the ball with our heavy package,” Penrod said. “We want to take our opponents into the deep water and force them to come up and play us there. We were able to do that tonight, and it's a different level of physicality when you can play that way. We got some great results with it."

Portageville's AJ Larry (73) chases a ballcarrier during a 43-0 win at New Madrid County Central on Thursday, October 19, 2023. 

Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

The Eagles were forced to punt on their first drive after a tackle for a loss by AJ Larry and a penalty stalled the drive, Portageville quickly punched them in the mouth with a 63-yard touchdown run by Smith on the ensuing possession.

The Bulldogs extended their lead to 14-0 late in the first quarter after Smith broke free for an 18-yard touchdown run. Smith's second score of the night came on a second-effort play, where he shrugged off and through defenders and lunged into the end zone.

NMCC turned it over on downs for the second straight time on the next drive, after Beau-Hunter Warren delivered a big hit to break up a pass. It was a moment that fired up the Bulldogs even more, and it was also sweet revenge for Warren, who was forced to leave last year's game on a stretcher and transported to the hospital in an ambulance.

NMCC's BJ Williamson (5) runs during a loss to Portageville on Thursday, October 19, 2023. 

Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

“[The hit/pass breakup] was huge,” Penrod said. “You couldn’t ask for a better comeback story after he suffered a neck injury in this game last year. It sent a message that our kids don’t have to be afraid of anybody and they can play with anyone in the world as long as they come out, do their job, play physically and be tough.

“I can’t say enough about our entire defense,” he continued. “The secondary played lights out. [Warren] made some hits that set the tone for wide receivers not trying to come across the middle as much. Our guys played great assignment football. I challenged them to do that throughout the week. We had some times where we’ve had some blown coverages in man-to-man. But they locked and anchored down tonight and couldn’t be more proud of them.”

Portageville picked up where they left off in the first quarter, scoring a 3-yard touchdown run by Smith on the first play of the second quarter to make it 22-0.

Portageville's Jamarion Smith (24) finds a running lane during a 43-0 win at New Madrid County Central on Thursday, October 19, 2023. 

Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

A short time later, Warren had an interception in the end zone to end NMCC's best drive of the game. The Eagles had converted multiple fourth downs on the drive, but Warren's big play dashed their hopes of a comeback.

The Eagles’ defense showed heart and put up a valiant effort on the next drive, but the Bulldogs landed another haymaker with a 22-yard touchdown run by Smith to make it 29-0 with 2:07 left in the half.

“We knew exactly where we needed to go and where we needed to be,” Penrod said. “Offensively, we pounded the ball at them. That’s what we were hoping to do. We set the tone early by doing that and it helped us to carry the momentum over for the rest of the game.”

NMCC's Jadis Jones (10) goes up high for a catch during a loss to Portageville on Thursday, October 19, 2023. 

Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

Portageville inflicted the mercy rule and a running clock on the opening drive of the second half, with Smith ripping off a 39-yard touchdown run. But Smith wasn't done yet. He put an exclamation point on his historic performance with a 93-yard touchdown run with 11:14 left in the fourth quarter to make it 43-0.

“The first year this group of kids played [NMCC] we got embarrassed,” Penrod said. “We were down 58-0 with 10 minutes left in the second quarter. Last year, we were able to play all the way through but couldn’t hold on at the end. This year, we were finally able to control the game and dominate the way we wanted to, and we're thrilled about that. NMCC is the bigger school in the county and it hasn’t been much of a rivalry with them beating on us the past few years. Being able to get this one is huge and it’s also a great litmus test as we start to prepare and get ready for the playoffs.”

Portageville snapped a three-game losing streak to NMCC with a dominant performance, gaining 432 total yards while holding the Eagles to just 195 yards. It was also the first time NMCC had been shut out since 2017.

Portageville's Connor Jefferies (68) cuts off NMCC's Charlie Resonno (21) during the Bulldogs' 43-0 win on Thursday, October 19, 2023. 

Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

“I couldn’t be more proud of my kids,” Penrod said. “I’m proud and grateful that I get to coach them and love them like they are my own.

“Our linebackers played great and were able to box them up,” he continued. “Our defensive front was able to control the line of scrimmage. Our offensive line was able to drive, mush and take guys away. We try to be as physical as humanly possible every time we are on a football field. That has to start up front and our offensive and defensive lines definitely answered the call for that tonight.”

The Eagles will look to bounce back, while the Bulldogs will look to carry their momentum into the district tournament, which begins next week with seedings still to be determined.