BY YANEEK SMITH, BEACON CONTRIBUTOR

WILLARD — Port Clinton has been successful this season because they have taken their opponents seriously.

The Redskins (7-1, 3-0 Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division) made easy work of Willard on Friday, defeating the Crimson Flashes, 49-7, to win their fifth consecutive game.

Willard has yet to win a game this season. The Flashes are 0-8 overall and 0-3 in the league.

A balanced offensive attack led by quarterback Cam Gillum, who threw four touchdowns, saw Port Clinton score seven touchdowns in the first three quarters.

Josh Hurst caught two touchdown passes, Adam Thorbahn and Owen Auxter each had a touchdown reception and Tyler Webb, Garrett Cornell and Deagan Meyers all rushed for a touchdown.

“We were very balanced offensively. It was the third game in a row where we were able to run the ball effectively,” said Port Clinton coach Beau Carmon. “We had about 320 yards of total offense. Our goal is to put up 300 yards in each game, and we put up a lot of points.

“It’s pretty hard for teams to match up with our offensive line with three guys that are 300 pounds. I’m very proud of our defense as well. It was an all-around, good effort. And it’s pretty special what Cam is doing.”

The ‘Skins took the lead for good in the first quarter when Gillum connected with Hurst on a 13-yard touchdown, capping a 10-play, 70-yard drive, and the first of seven PATs by Andrew Hanson made it 7-0. In the second quarter, Port Clinton scored four touchdowns to put the game away.

Webb scored on a 52-yard run, and after a fumble on the ensuing kickoff gave the ‘Skins the ball back, Cornell had a 7-yard touchdown. Hurst then caught a 28-yard TD pass, and Thorbahn had an 8-yard touchdown reception.

Auxter caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Gillum in the third quarter. Meyers followed that up with a 7-yard touchdown run.

“We were able to get the young kids into the game, which was nice,” said Carmon.

Willard got inside the Port Clinton 30-yard line twice in the first quarter, but the Flashes missed a field goal and also turned it over on downs.

“Everybody has got players, and they’ve got some nice athletes. I think their quarterback is going to be a heck of a player. Trey Paxton is a heck of an athlete, a good wide receiver and defensive back. Dario Lopez led the league in rushing last year,” said Carmon. “We go week-to-week, and we don’t look ahead. It’s not just about beating a team, it’s about feeling confident afterwards.”

Port Clinton is now ranked fifth in the Division IV, Region 14 standings with 14.10 points. The ‘Skins travel to Huron on Friday to face the Tigers, who are 5-3 overall and 3-0 in the league. Huron is ranked 14th in Region 14 with 7.90 points.

“Huron has great athletes, they’re well-coached, with tremendous tradition and pride — and we have to play there. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Sam Hohler. We’ve got our work cut out for us,” said Carmon.