East Hamilton Presents A Big Opportunity for Portland
The 2021 football season just started last Friday but the Portland Panthers already face a big challenge that could be the catalyst towards a big year and a possible postseason berth.
Tomorrow night from Portland, Tennessee, the Panthers are hosting a talented East Hamilton team out of Chattanooga that presents a big challenge but even more so, a big opportunity for the Panthers to defeat a quality opponent and give them confidence for the remainder of the season.
Headed into the season and after Week One, Portland might have their best team in many years but how good are they? That’s the big question that we should know more answers for after tomorrow night.
Portland sports a run based offense that has a strong offensive line led by senior guard Garrett Smith Garrett Smith 6'3" | 290 lbs | OL Portland | 2022 TN . The 6’4 interior lineman is the stalwart up front that blocks for backs Jalen Pero and junior two-way talent Braylon Dowlen Braylon Dowlen 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Portland | 2023 State TN .
The Panthers have a nice balanced offense that put up 31 points in a close fought win over Westmoreland last week but the Hurricane presents a whole different challenge, so Portland might need to put up more points if they plan to walk away with a win.
East Hamilton is coming to Sumner County with confidence after beating Ooltewah last week, 33- 13 and they have a few dudes that Portland must key on and stop if they plan to defeat the road Hurricanes.
The guy who the Panthers must focus on the most is athletic senior Jeremiah Flemmons Jeremiah Flemmons 6'4" | 195 lbs | WR East Hamilton | 2022 State TN . The 6’4 multi talented prospect shares the quarterback position for his Canes team but is used more as a runner than a passer.
Flemmons is a big play threat that can find the end zone anytime the ball is in his hands, so whatever the Panthers can do to keep it away from Flemmons and make other players beat them, the better it is for them and their chances at winning.
While the Panthers offense needs to score and maintain the clock, it will be the Portland defense that determines whether or not the home team wins or loses.
If the Hurricanes score early and continue to do so at ease, it will be a long night for the Panthers but if they can get stops and keep the score low, Portland will have a shot at the upset.
It’s a non-region, out of conference game between East Hamilton and Portland, so no matter who loses, it won’t hurt the overall chances at making the playoffs but a win will definitely help those chances and place either team on a play to a big season.
It should also be a great atmosphere of high school football. Portland is a small town team that should have almost the entire community behind them, which in turn could make it a hostile environment for the visiting Hurricanes.
This should be an outstanding game that is not settled to end, only if the Panthers can keep their head early and remain focused and physical throughout the entire game.