Junior Zach Markham had himself a Thursday night to remember.

The 6-foot, 220-pound linebacker collected 11 tackles, including six for loss; intercepted a pass; and recovered a fumble that he returned for a touchdown to highlight the Trojans’ dominant 34-0 win over the Panthers on Charles A. Lawson Field at the Sirianni Athletic Complex.

The win, which raised Southwestern/Frewsburg’s record to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in the division, also included a pair of senior Trent Lewis TD passes to senior Roger Markham, and rushing touchdowns of 43 yards by senior Bradyn Fuller and 13 yards by Lewis.

Added together it was another impressive effort by the newly merged program, which has outscored its opponents 133-12 in the first three weeks.

The Trojans defense works together to bring down Portville running back Adam Roe (10). P-J photo by Tim Frank

“It’s gone really well,” Southwestern/Frewsburg head coach Jake Burkholder said. “We just have a bunch of (coaches) who love football, want to help kids and put them in the best position. That’s all you can ask for, and it’s working out well. We have kids who are bought in and want to be successful. With everybody bought in across the board, it makes it a lot easier. So far, so good.”

And in a game where they scored touchdowns on their first three offensive possessions — Fuller’s run and the two Lewis-to-Roger-Markham TD connections from 6 and 8 yards — Zach Markham provided the highlight of the evening with his fumble recovery that he took to the house.

The decisive play started when senior George Marshall stripped the ball from Portville quarterback Aidan Defazio. Zach Markham scooped it off the turf and took it to the end zone to extend the Trojans’ lead to 28-0.

“He’s an animal,” Burkholder said. “He’s a pretty quiet, mild-mannered kid in school, but when he comes out here and straps the pads on, he’s not taking a play off. … He’s leading by example on the field. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

While Zach Markham was the headliner on a warm, late-summer night, Southwestern/Frewsburg’s other playmakers had their moments, too.

Southwestern/Frewsburg running back Bradyn Fuller breaks free for a 43-yard rushing touchdown during the first quarter of Thursday’s Class C South football game against Portville on Charles A. Lawson Field at the Sirianni Athletic Complex. P-J photo by Tim Frank

Offensively, Fuller finished with 150 yards on 14 carries and a TD; and Lewis completed 4 of 8 passes for 44 yards and two TDs to go along with his run for another score. Defensively, Marshall was credited with six tackles, including one for loss, and the forced fumble; and Brayden Potter collected four tackles and had an interception, one of three for the Trojans. The other pick was by junior Miles Torres in the game’s closing seconds.

All in all, it was just what Burkholder expected from his crew.

“We’ve got a lot of pieces,” he said. “When they’re clicking, it’s really nice. We just have to keep that momentum going and stay healthy. We have a good group of leaders.”

NOTES: The Cross Training Athletics Heart of a Champion recipients were senior Jason Edwards of Southwestern/Frewsburg and senior Ty Kosinski of Portville. …The Trojans will be back in action Sept. 26 when they entertain Springville. The Panthers (1-2, 0-2) will travel to Fredonia.

Portville 0 0 0 0 — 0

Roger Markham reels in one of his two touchdown receptions for the Trojans. P-J photo by Tim Frank

Southwestern/Frewsburg 14 14 6 0 — 34

S/F — Fuller 43 run (Harris kick)

S/F — RMarkham 6 pass from Lewis (Harris kick)

S/F — RMarkham 8 pass from Lewis (Harris kick)

S/F — ZMarkham 19 fumble recovery (Harris kick)

S/F — Lewis 13 run (kick blocked)