Tyler Harris, Staff Writer
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
IRONTON — For the second time in three weeks, Ironton and Portsmouth met on Friday night.
And on both occasions, the Tigers played near perfect football.
After a 50-0 win over the Trojans on Oct. 25, Ironton (11-1) picked right up where it left off, handing Portsmouth a 44-0 loss in a Division V, Region 19 Quarterfinal.
If you kept your eyes on Ironton’s sideline, you may have noticed coach Trevon Pendleton’s team was locked in at 0-0 and locked in at 44-0.
That trait is what has continued to make this year’s team so special.
“I think it all starts with how we practice and how we conduct our offseason,” Pendleton said of his team’s intensity. “We can definitely be on edge at times and it’s not for everybody. But the guys that it is for, they respond to it and can go out and take care of business.”
CREDIT: Baylee Harris/SOSA
That’s exactly what the Tigers did on Friday at Tanks Memorial Stadium.
It all started in the first quarter. After forcing a quick punt, they marched 54 yards in just five plays, which led to a 17-yard pitch and catch from Braden Schreck to Shaun Terry.
Just like that, Ironton was off to the races.
Three minutes later, the Tigers began a drive pinned at their own 1-yard line but that was no problem. Schreck led a surgical 99-yard drive that was capped with a one-yard plunge to make it 14-0.
As the defense continued to play close to flawless football, the offense kept rolling into the second quarter. The team’s next possession extended the lead as Kayden Edwards, normally a receiver, stepped in at quarterback and threw a touchdown to senior Tyler Roach from 33 yards out, making it 21-0.
“He’s just so dynamic,” Pendleton said of Edwards. “He can do multiple things for us and we have full confidence in him. He’s came back from injury this year and he’s showing everyone what he is capable of doing.”
Ironton’s defense, as always, the team’s driving force, forced a fourth consecutive punt and set the offense up at the Trojans’ 40-yard line.
With halftime looming, it appeared the Tigers were going to punch it in one more time. Remember, they were nearly flawless. But on 4th & goal from the one-yard line, the Trojans stood tall and forced a turnover on downs, marking the only empty drive in an otherwise perfect game plan.
However, there was never a reason to worry because the defense continued to play lights out. While the offense came up empty, the defense blocked a punt in the end zone, resulting in a safety and pushing the lead to 23-0 at halftime.
“It’s super important for us to play well on that side of the ball moving forward,” Pendleton said of the team’s defensive play. “We need to focus on that this week in practice. But our seniors do a great job of leading and making sure we get the job done.”
After passing for a touchdown in the first half, Edwards wasn’t done putting on a clinic.
The sophomore took the second half kick 78 yards for a house call to bust the game wide open at 30-0 and start a running clock. The rest of the second half was led by Tyler Carmon, who carried the ball well throughout the night and punched in two touchdowns from distances of one and two yards out, rounding out the night’s scoring.
Statistically, Ironton held a team that ran over opponents all season long to just 72 yards rushing and 108 total yards on the night. The Tigers’ physicality and speed proved too much for their rival and paved the way for the offense to do what they do best.
Ironton was led by Schreck, who was 6-of-10 passing for 123 yards and a score alongside a rushing touchdown. Terry finished the night with three catches for 58 yards and a score, Edwards had 196 total yards, including a passing touchdown and a kick return score, Zayne Williams helped with 64 rushing yards and 29 receiving, and Carmon ended his night with two rushing scores.
The Trojans experienced tough sledding on offense, but were led by Chase Heiland, who had 56 total yards. Portsmouth ends their season 8-4 overall with a second place finish in the OVC.
The Tigers now advance to a Division V, Region 19 semifinal at 7 p.m. on Friday at a site to be determined. They’ll meet with Harvest Prep, who topped Columbus Academy by a 48-7 final.
Last year, the Warriors ended Ironton’s season in a regional semifinal by a 20-14 count. Needless to say, the Tigers haven’t forgotten.
“We’re not satisfied yet,” Terry said. “We won’t be until we go all the way. It hasn’t been done in a long time. We want that get-back. We’ve had this circled for a long time. It’s finally here and we’re ready.”
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