By: Ella Hughes
Posted on: Saturday, August 22, 2026

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WHEELERSBURG, Ohio (WOUB) –– The Wheelersburg Pirates opened their season at Ed Miller Stadium against the Portsmouth Trojans. The Pirates would dominate from opening kick-off and walked away with a 63-0 win.  

Portsmouth received the opening kick-off to start the first half. First scrimmage play of the game, quarterback Liam Livingston threw a deep ball to wide receiver JJ Henderson who would make then catch and then fumble the ball. Multiple Pirates would try to pounce on it before sophomore Lane Williams recovered the fumble.  

Burg running back Brady Music carried the ball through the gap to put the Pirates into Trojan territory. Steven Hall would capitalize on the turnover, scoring the first touchdown of the game giving Wheelersburg an early lead.  

Strong defense from the Pirates would force a punt from the Trojans and Xavier Miller would take the ball all the way to the house to add on to the Wheelersburg lead with seven minutes remaining in the first quarter.  

Portsmouth would punt on the very next drive and who other than Miller to score again except this one was called back due to a flag on the play for an illegal block in the back. Wheelersburg took control at the Trojan 41-yard line. A 22-yard touchdown reception from Jonah Collier would put the Pirates up three scores, 21-0 with three minutes left in the first quarter.  

The Trojan offense would be forced to put yet again and the Pirates started the second quarter with the ball on the 39-yard line. Miller would score his second touchdown of the night to put Burg up four scores just nine seconds into the second quarter.  

Portsmouth’s struggles would continue into the second quarter, and the Pirates would capitalize yet again with a Stephen Hall rushing touchdown to put Wheelersburg up 35-0. The Trojans would string together a strong drive towards the end of the half, but it was no match for the Pirate defense. Wheelersburg continued to fire the cannon, lighting up the score board adding another touchdown taking a 42-0 lead.  

The Pirates’ domination would continue all the way through the second half walking away with yet another regular season win, 63-0. Portsmouth will look to bounce back against Portsmouth West next week. While Wheelersburg hopes to continue their regular season success against Chillicothe.