PORTSMOUTH — It may not have been the way they wanted to start the season in Division I football, but the Portsmouth Patriots showed plenty of heart in their 21-20 overtime loss to South Kingstown last week.

The game ended with a three-yard touchdown run by the Division II Rebels’ Jordan Chaloux, followed by the coup de grâce extra point by Kai Sorlien.

Before the final whistle, however, both teams displayed swarming defense, with the extra teams shining as well.

The Rebels went up 14-0 in the second quarter, following a 66-yard touchdown run by senior running back Tyler Denecour. 

Portsmouth got on the board shortly afterwards, however, when after a huge return by Teddy Gersen, quarterback Thomas Hurd completed a 14-yard TD pass to Jack Sanderson. The point-after was unsuccessful, though, making the score 14-6 Rebels.

The Patriots tied the game on their second-half, 70-yard opening drive, when Joseph Sanderson ran 14 yards into the end zone. Hurd then passed to Adam Conheeny for a successful two-point conversion.

In the overtime period, Hurd scored on a 10-yard run for the Patriots, but the extra-point kick clanged off the crossbar, making it 20-14 Portsmouth.

South Kingstown took advantage of the missed kick on its next drive.

The Patriots are on the road for their next game against Cranston West at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20.