PORTLAND — Scoring has come pretty easily the past two weeks for the Portland Bulldogs.

After scoring 45 points on Deering a week ago, the points kept coming Friday night.

After a slow start, Portland gained momentum and there wasn’t much Edward Little could do to stop it in a 45-7 Bulldogs win at Fitzpatrick Stadium.

Portland (2-1) had to shake off penalties and fumble issues in the first half, but still built an 18-0 lead by halftime. Then the Bulldogs scored three times in the third to break the game open.

“We had too many penalties,” said Portland coach Jim Hartman. “We dropped four or five balls. We weren’t focused. It was really sloppy. We’ve got to kill the penalties and the fumbles were killing us.”

When Portland got some momentum, EL (0-3) couldn’t turn the tide. The Red Eddies struggled to move the ball on a consistent basis and couldn’t counter the Bulldog attack. EL finished with just 61 yards on the ground on 34 carries and 91 in the air. “We shot ourselves in the foot,” said EL coach Dave Sterling. “They have a very good offensive line and good schemes. They block very well. We had a hard time in the second half. It’s a good team. We have to be prepared when we come out against a team like that. It showed. They executed really well.”

Portland totalled 380 yards on the ground. Justin Zukowski led the rushing attack with 123 yards on 12 carries and two touchdown receptions. Ron Hargove ran for 106 yards on eight carries and scored twice. Quarterback Jordan Talbot threw for 73 yards and four touchdowns.

“Jordan really opened things up with the passing,” said Hartman. “It’s was a good job by that kid. He played his butt off.”

After trading punts in the first quarter, the Bulldogs were set up at their own 40 after a Hargrove interception. Portland had been slowed by penalties and some early fumbles. The Bulldogs need just six plays and were aided by an EL personal foul. The Bulldogs finished it off with a Talbot two-yard pass to  Zukowski with 1:34 left in the quarter.

“At first, our defense really gave us a chance,” said Zukowski, a senior back. “Our offense was slow. The defense let us overcome and sparked our offense.”

EL had a chance with a Portland fumble off a punt, but the Red Eddies couldn’t make anything happen.

“That’s what it comes down to — cashing in on opportunities,” said Sterling. “If you don’t, you’re giving the other team more breathing room.”

The Bullodgs moved the ball on its next possession and were threatening before a fumble was recovered by Daniel Williams at the EL 12. The Red Eddies were subsequently forced to punt from the 14, giving the Bulldogs good field position at midfield.

Portland used six plays to make it 12-0 with 5:51 left in the half. Despite a penalty that moved the Bulldogs back to the 19, Hargrove found space down the left side for the score. Then after another EL short possession and punt, the Bulldogs produced another scoring drive with 1:34 left in the half.

Again, Portland was moved backwards on a penalty but still scored when Talbot found Domenic Fagone in the back of the end zone for a 19-yard pass play.

“We tried to score a lot of points in the beginning,” said Zukowski. “We wanted to get off good. We just have to come out and go play-by-by.”

EL managed just one first down until moving the ball late in the half. The Red Eddies got as close as the Portland 13 before time ran out. EL finished with just 56 total yards in the half, while Portland had 218.

“Just before the half, we moved the ball well,” Sterling said. “You have to move the ball when you have the opportunity.”

Portland opened the second half with possession and needed just three plays to up the lead to 24-0. Jayvon Pitts-Young burst up the middle for 42 yards and the score with 10:58 left in the third. The Bulldogs added to the lead with 6:54 left in the third. Talbot connected with Zukowski on an 8-yard pass play, set up by a long 32-yard run by Hargrove.

After a Ryan Ruhlin interception for Portland, Hargrove took it in one play later from the 23 for a 38-0 lead with 5:13 left in the third.

EL didn’t get on the board until the final minute of the third. Five pass plays moved EL downfield. Quarterback Ian Mileikis connected with Charles Frahn and Johnny Boyd and a streak of passes.  Hunter Martin finished it off with an 8-yard pass from Mileikis with :14 left. The EL quarterback finished with 11 completions for 91 yards.

“We blocked solid on the edge and tried to roll the quarterback out to the flat a little quicker,” said Sterling about EL’s offensive adjustments. “That moved the ball decent. There’s only so much you can do against a good defense. They did a good job stopping us.”

Portland added a 26-yard pass from Talbot to Fagone early in the fourth.

kmills@sunjournal.com