FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS Irish face high-scoring Senators

Portsmouth West has tallied 486 points in 13 games.
VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT
WEST PORTSMOUTH -- When the Ursuline High football team goes up against Portsmouth West in Friday's Division IV state semifinal game, the Irish will face a daunting task of trying to stop a potent scoring machine.
In some ways, it will be as if the Irish (8-5) and Senators (11-2) are looking into a mirror when they line up against each other at Sulsberger Memorial Stadium in Zanesville. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
"We're not real familiar with them, other than what we've seen on film," Ursuline coach Dan Murphy said. "They've got great size. They're one of the bigger teams we've faced this season.
"They might even be bigger than us," the Irish's first-year coach said.
Scoring sensation
The Senators have rung up 486 points, better than 37 a game.
Five times this fall, Portsmouth West scored more than 40 points in a game -- all wins.
The Senators ripped: McDermott Northwest, 62-0; Proctorville Fairland, 59-0; Waverly, 49-7; Chillicothe Huntington Ross, 42-6; and Ironton Rock Hill, 42-14.
Even an early-season 27-18 setback to rival Portsmouth was avenged last week when the Senators prevailed 34-18 in the regional championship game.
"It's going to be a challenge," Murphy said. "At this point, the records don't matter. We're just happy for the opportunity."
As threatening as the Senators have been on offense, they have been just as stingy on defense, posting three shutouts.
So far, 13 opponents scored 160 points against the Senators, or 12.3 points a game.
Edge in experience
This is the Senators' fourth trip to the playoffs. Portsmouth West has a 3-3 mark in postseason competition.
By comparison, the Irish are in the playoffs for the 11th time with a 14-9 mark. Ursuline won it all in 2000.
"They're big and physical, but it's not like we haven't seen big teams," senior tight end Louis Irizarry said. "They're actually easier for us to emulate in practice because they run a regular offense. Some of these spread teams [like Girard] are hard to scout."
Eight players go both ways for the Senators, led by Bryson Williams (senior, 5-foot-11, 165-pounds) who plays quarterback and defensive back, and handles the punting, extra point kicking and field goal duties.
Zach Evans (6-6, 255), Chris Kamer (6-3, 295), Chase McGraw (6-0, 250), Bryan McCormick (6-0, 295) and Nick Erlenwein (6-2, 225) are two-way linemen with good size.
Joining Williams in the offensive backfield will be Jeremiah Lens (6-1, 185), Aaron McCullough (5-7, 165) and Justin Cantrell (5-9, 215). All three play defense, too.
Mike Sammons is in his fifth season coaching the team and has a 29-24 record there.
"I just keep hearing they're big," Irish junior tailback Delbert Ferguson said. "But we're not really worried about that. We're just worried about our team. If we take care of business, we'll be alright."