PORTSMOUTH - A Division I thriller was highly anticipated, evident by groups of people hurrying in as the first quarter was underway, and Portsmouth/Oyster River and Exeter High School delivered an early season classic.

The Blue Hawks held off the ClipperCats and won 42-34 at Tom Daubney Field. Exeter improved to 2-0, while the ClipperCats dropped to 1-1.

An onside recovery by Portsmouth/Oyster River, and one last heave in the final seconds was a possible scenario, but Exeter recovered a fairly deep kick to seal the win.

Portsmouth quarterback Andy Brown found Zac Hall for a touchdown with 5 seconds left, and a successful two-point attempt cut the Exeter lead to 42-34.

After securing the ensuing kickoff, Exeter quarterback Tyler Ream took a knee to run out the clock.

"Give the guys cr

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