PORTSMOUTH – Even though Unioto’s offense struggled and looked a little sloppy in the first quarter during its season opener against Portsmouth, the Sherman Tanks’ defense set the tone against the host Trojans.
Unioto’s defense was suffocating from start to finish, and once the offense got going, Portsmouth had no answer. It all added up to a dominating 42-0 non-conference victory on Thursday, Aug. 21, at Portsmouth’s Trohan Coliseum.
Advertisement
Unioto muddled its way through most of the first quarter on offense but was able to score late in the first quarter, then added 21 points in the second to take a 28-0 halftime lead. The Tanks scored early in the third quarter, and the rest of the game was played with a running clock because of the score differential.
Unioto’s Jaxon Zickafoose (24) jumps above the Portsmouth defense and hauls in the pass scoring a touchdown in varsity football action at Portsmouth High School on August 21, 2025, in Portsmouth, Ohio.
“The defense set the tone and did a great job until our offense got going, and you expect that in the first game,” Unioto coach Matt Hoops said. “I thought the offense did a nice job of overcoming some adversity early on. We were able to settle down, and the offensive line took over and allowed us to start moving the ball.”
Defense played at an elite level
The Tanks’ defense flew to the ball throughout the entire game and didn’t allow the Trojans’ offense to get into any rhythm. Simply put, Unioto was dominant.
Advertisement
The Tanks limited the Trojans to only 47 total yards – 17 yards rushing on 19 attempts, and 30 yards passing – and they forced a turnover.
“All year in practice, we have had that intensity on defense.” Unioto senior Cody Braden said, “We have experience on the defensive side, and the coaches hype us up in practice. Even if we are struggling with offense, we know we can rely on our defense, so we always have that in the back of our minds.”
Unioto’s Cody Braden (20) breaks through the Portsmouth defense scoring a touchdown in varsity football action at Portsmouth High School on August 21, 2025, in Portsmouth, Ohio.
After sluggish start, offense kicks into high gear
Unioto’s offense turned the ball over on its first possession, but once the defense forced a three-and-out on Portsmouth’s second offensive possession, the Tanks’ offense seemed to shake the jitters off and began rolling.
Advertisement
They were able to put together a scoring drive that was capped off by Braden’s 2-yard touchdown run, which sparked a run of four consecutive scoring drives.
Junior quarterback Isaac Coy threw a 24-yarder to Jaxon Zickafoose and ran for a 1-yard touchdown run, and Braden scored his second touchdown of the night on a 6-yard run to give the Tanks a 28-0 lead at the break. Coy would throw two more touchdown passes in the third quarter – a 9-yarder to Jack Welsh, and a 7-yarder to Brayden Harsha – in the third quarter.
“I think we had a few jitters in the first quarter, but after that, I thought we settled in and played well, offensively,” Braden said.
By the numbers
Unioto finished with 326 total yards, including 216 on the ground. Braden led the way with 101 yards rushing on 11 carries, and Yusef Wilson carried the ball five times for 37 yards. Coy connected on 9 of 16 passes for 110 yards and three touchdowns.
Advertisement
Up next
Unioto will be on the road once again as it travels to take on Vinton County Aug. 29 in another nonconference game.
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter twil2323.
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Unioto’s defense shines in dominating season-opening win over Portsmouth
