The 1926 Portsmouth Trojans were the second team in school history to advance to the OHSAA state tournament, which began in 1923. PHS posted a mark of 13-4, and along the way racked up an SEOAL mark of 6-1, with the only loss being to Nelsonville by a score of 24-18. The Trojans beat Athens 22-2 and Wellston 36-5. PHS swept Chillicothe twice and Ironton twice, but lost to Proctorville twice. The Trojans held 4 opponents under 10 points. The highest point total allowed by the Red and Blue in any game was 43 against Jackson in the opening game of the season. PHS outscored its opponents by a count of 352 to 201.
Portsmouth defeated Athens, Hillsboro, and Nelsonville in the tournament, but the Zanesville Blue Devils ended the Trojans season in the second round of the state tournament. Zanesville would go on to win the state championship. Arthur Gose of Portsmouth was chosen second team All-Ohio.