PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Patriots may have gotten knocked out of the Division I football playoffs earlier than they had liked, but they made a statement during the annual Thanksgiving Day game against Middletown on Gaudet Field last Thursday.
Portsmouth made easy work of the Islanders in the non-conference game, shutting them out 38-0.
Quarterback Benny Hurd ran for two touchdowns — one for 35 yards, the other for 29 yards. He also recovered a fumble and ran 26 yards for a score. To top off his day, Hurd kicked an extra point after a 26-yard touchdown run by Marcus Evans.
Evan Beese intercepted a pass and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown.
Andrew Perry kicked a field goal and made four extra-point conversions, for seven total points.
It was the most decisive win over Middletown since 2008, when the Patriots drubbed their island rivals, 48-0.
The two teams have been meeting for the annual Thanksgiving game since 1965, although last year’s contest was canceled due to COVID.
The Islanders won the first six meetings, but the Patriots lead the all-time series 35-19-2. Portsmouth has won eight of the last 10 games.