In what was its' most well-rounded game of the young the Division One season, the Portsmouth High football squad pounded upstart Barrington into submission, 36-7, at JFK Field. Bobby Sewall scored three touchdowns on the ground for the Patriots, Jake Perry added another rushing TD, Jesse Tolppa returned a fumble for touch and Dylan McSparren booted a field goal in the effort.

The victory was the Pats' second in four league outings, setting an early-season pattern of regrouping after a loss with a win.

"It was a really fun night," said Portsmouth coach Tim Coen. "We did some things really well. There's always room for improvement, but these kids just play tough for us every night. I'm really proud of them."

The Eagles, meanwhile, slipped to 2-3 in their first year in the state's top league, a division that is topsy-turvy by the week.

Coen had to be pleased with his team's defensive effort. The Patriots held the Eagles to just 66 total yards of offense, allowed just three first downs and didn't give up a pass completion.

Offensively, the Pats still struggled with their passing game, though Sewall used his legs to get the job done. He scored his three TDs on runs of two, one and eight yards.

Perry's tally was a six-yard bolt. Tolppa returned a Barrington fumble 40 yards. McSparren added a 35-yard try to three point-after kicks on the evening.

Seeking to open up what has been a stagnant offense in three previous games, Portsmouth employed a more option-oriented attack.

Sewall, the Pats' QB, was up to the task. He set up his own first touchdown with long runs before diving in from the two on a fourth down in the opening quarter.

Perry was the workhorse on the next Portsmouth possession, setting up McSparren's field goal.

"Jake ran the ball harder than I've ever seen him. Our offensive line came off with more burst than they have all year and Bobby played really well," said Coen.

A Chris Stevens fumble recovery of botched Barrington pitch gave the Pats fine field position early in the second quarter. Perry capped the series with his TD run, giving Portsmouth a 16-0 ad.

The Eagles responded with what was their only score of the night, an 80-yard kickoff return by Keith Lopes.

Josh Zabaleta countered with a nifty return for the Pats inside the Barrington five just prior to the break. Sewall snuck in again before the intermission, upping the lead to 22-7.

Another Barrington fumble, this time recovered by Portsmouth's James Canale, led to Sewall's third score, which came early in the third. The junior signal-caller covered eight yards out of the shotgun on fourth-and-goal.

Still reeling, the Eagles made another miscue, this time putting the ball on the ground in front of Tolppa, who scooped it up and returned it to paydirt.

"We played really well and Barrington just had a tough game," said Coen.

BY MIKE REGO

mrego@eastbaynewspapers.com