Steelheads Grind Out 10-6 Win Over Twisters in Defensive Slog

PORTLAND - Points were hard to come by on Sunday, and the Portland Steelheads were happy to take the few they could find. The home side beat the Oklahoma City Twisters 10-6 in a Week 10 game that never opened up and never really let either offense settle in.

The final score was Steelheads 10, Twisters 6, and the margin said plenty about how the afternoon went. Neither team found a rhythm through the air, and both leaned on defense to keep the other from pulling away.

Hargrove makes the difference

Portland quarterback Felix Hargrove finished with 169 passing yards and the game's only passing touchdown. It was not a flashy day, but it was enough. Hargrove found Xavier Vance for 75 receiving yards, the best receiving line on either side.

"We knew it was going to be a field-position game," Steelheads head coach Ray Delgado said afterward. "Felix kept the ball safe and gave us a chance. That is what you want from your quarterback when the defense is playing like this."

Running back Darius Garner added 47 rushing yards for Portland. He did not reach the end zone. The offense was steady rather than spectacular.

Twisters never get going

Oklahoma City had a rough time putting drives together. Quarterback Jalen Lockhart threw for 112 yards and did not throw a touchdown. His top target, Ethan Quarles, caught passes for 35 yards, and running back Victor Abbott picked up 37 on the ground.

The Twisters' defense gave them a chance. It recorded 3 sacks, one more than the Steelheads' 2. But the offense could not turn that effort into a lead.

"We had our looks and did not finish," Twisters coach Hal Brennan said. "Our guys played hard on defense. We owe them a better day on the other side of the ball."

What it means

Both clubs play in the West Conference, so the result carries weight beyond a single Sunday.

For Portland, the win was a reminder that this group can win without scoring much. The Steelheads' defense recorded 2 sacks, and the secondary limited Lockhart to 112 yards through the air. That is a workable formula for a team that does not expect to light up the scoreboard.

For Oklahoma City, the loss means a short week of film study. Brennan said the coaching staff would look at its third-down plays and at the protection problems that kept Lockhart from getting comfortable.

"It is one game," Brennan said. "We have to fix a few things and get back to work."

Portland now turns to Week 11, when it hosts the Austin Comets. Oklahoma City heads to San Diego to face the Tidebreakers.

Both teams will be looking for more offense. On Sunday, 10 points was enough for one of them.