Portville blew by the Black Knights 62-14 at Karl Hoeppner Field at Dunkirk High School on Friday night. The Panthers got big plays early and often, jumping out to a huge lead en route to a 35-0 lead at the end of the first half.

“They were way more physical than us,” said Black Knights coach Sean Helmer. “Our guys got basically punched in the face.”

The Panthers scored fast. Receiving the ball to start the game, the went backward on their very first play, but quarterback Hunter Griffin found running back Jayden Lassiter for two catches totaling 25 yards. Lassiter picked up another 18 yards on the ground, setting the tone for what Portville would do on all game. One play later, just two minutes into the game, Griffin found Joe Long on a post route for a 42-yard score.

Trailing 7-0, the Black Knights were held to a three and out, quickly giving the ball back to Portville. After a penalty on first down, the Panthers scored on the same play as their first touchdown.

Silver Creek/Forestville’s Kayden Eggleston attempts to tackle Portville’s Jayden Lassiter during Friday’s nonleague game at Dunkirk’s Karl Hoeppner Field.

“We were terrible tackling and terrible lining up,” Helmer said. “That’s a really bad combination. And they’re good. We had some good individual efforts, but it takes 22.”

Griffin found Long again, this time from 46 yards, extending the Portville lead to 14-0.

Silver Creek/Forestville got the ball back once again, but penalties set the drive back to a third-and-26. One penalty in particular was pivotal, as an illegal procedure brought back what would have been a 60-yard completion from Black Knight quarterback Matt Woleben to wide receiver Sam Braidich before Silver Creek/Forestville ended up punting.

After forcing the only punt of the first half from Portville, the Black Knights once again looked to find the scoreboard. They picked up a first down as Woleben found running back Hunter Larson, but on third-and-6, Woleben fumbled the snap, and Portville recovered deep in Black Knights territory.

Portville set itself up to score early in the second quarter, and it took Lassiter one play to capitalize, finding the end zone to extend the lead to 21-0.

OBSERVER Photo by Ron Szot Silver Creek/Forestville’s Hunter Larson attempts to get away from Portville’s Jayden Lassiter during Friday’s nonleague game at Dunkirk’s Karl Hoeppner Field.

But Lassiter was just getting started.

Silver Creek/Forestville had its best chance to score after that, as it drove the ball all the way down to the Portville 23. On fourth-and-10, Woleben tried to force a throw to Braidich, who was double covered, and Lassiter was there waiting to pick the ball off, returning it 47 yards. Three plays later, right after a 20-yard rush by Lassiter, Griffin found a huge hole and scampered 40 yards into the end zone, extending the lead to 28-0.

On Silver Creek/Forestville’s next possession, Woleben was intercepted again, and once again it was Lassiter on the receiving end, snagging his second interception on the day. Just five plays later, after four straight carries from Lassiter, Portville found the end zone to take a 35-0 lead into the first half. At halftime, Lassiter had 11 carries for 120 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

“He’s an outstanding back, and he’s quick,” Helmer said. “They outplayed us, hats off to them.”

The scoring didn’t stop in the second half. Silver Creek/Forestville went three and out to start the third quarter, giving Portville another possession. Set up by a 31-yard carry by Lassiter, Griffin hit Blake George for a 14-yard score as Portville continued to rack up points.

Silver Creek/Forestville would get an answer on the next drive as Larson set his team up deep in Portville territory following a long kick return. Larson had three carries on that possession, good for 23 yards, and he found paydirt on the last one, getting Silver Creek/Forestville on the board.

Portville was not done making big plays, despite the lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Luke Smith took the kick all the way to the house on a 77-yard return.

When the Black Knights got the ball back, Woleben hit Braidich on a 19-yard completion, but a few plays later threw another interception to Lassiter, who then scored on a 25-yard rush to make the score 55-8.

All in all, Lassiter ended the day with 15 carries for 174 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions, as the Portville senior was all over the field.

Silver Creek/Forestville would score one more touchdown, as Woleben hit Braidich for a 23-yard score. Despite the struggles, Woleben, who is just a sophomore, is a player who shows a lot of promise for the future.

“He can sling it,” Helmer said. “A young guy is going to make some mistakes like that. The mistakes he made he was trying to make a play and you can’t really fault him like that.”

Portville tacked on one more score, as Kaedon Holcomb hit a hole for a 30-yard touchdown run, bringing the score to its 62-14 final.

Griffin ended the day 5 of 9 for 122 yards and two touchdowns through the air to go along with the 40-yard rushing touchdown.

Woleben ended the game for the Black Knights 8 of 20 for 92 yards through the air while Larson had 17 carries for 79 yards and a touchdown. Braidich rushed for 59 yards on eight carries while catching six passes for 81 yards and a score. Even in defeat, Braidich’s skill was on display.

“He’s an outstanding player,” Helmer said. “You can’t just have one good player, it’s easier to overcome if the other 10 are really good.”

Portville (3-0) will host Salamanca next Friday at 7 p.m., while Silver Creek/Forestville (1-1) is next in action on Tuesday at Cattaraugus-Little Valley as they play the second of their three games in a nine-day stretch. It’s a difficult schedule, but Helmer said that the kids are just happy to play.

“It’s par for the course, nothing is normal,” Helmer said. “Hats off to our guys sticking it out. They know they have a tough task in front of them. It’s a serious challenge, but they get a chance to play and that’s all we can hope for right now.”