IRONTON — In the Die Hard movie series, there was a different plot but it was always John McClane caught up in various situations and he always came out the winner.
Ironton and its series with the Portsmouth Trojans always has a different direction for the game to go, but in the end the Fighting Tigers always seem to come out with the win.
In an Ironton vs. Portsmouth 2: The Playoff Game, Ironton followed up its 50-0 regular season win with a 44-0 Division 5 Region 19 quarterfinal win on Friday at Tanks Memorial Stadium.
The Fighting Tigers have now won 9 straight from the Trojans including 3 times in the playoffs.
With the win, Ironton (11-1) will now play Harvest Prep for the fourth time in their playoff series. They have met 3 times in the past 4 years with Ironton winning 21-14, 34-0, and then falling 20-14 last season.
The regional semifinal will be on Friday at a site to be determined.
“It’s been one game at a time for us. (Harvest Prep is) the next one up and they’ll get all our attention. I wish it was Friday,” said Ironton coach Trevon Pendleton.
Ironton’s defense was stellar once again against the Trojans. The Fighting Tigers limited Portsmouth to just 118 total yards with 80 on the ground and just 35 through the air.
“We had a great effort from the guys. I’m very proud of them,” said Pendleton. “They just seem to get better each week. This is a great group of seniors and this group deserves it.”
The Fighting Tigers racked up 396 total yards with 207 in the air and another 189 on the ground.
Quarterback Braden Schreck was 9-of-13 for 158 yards and a touchdown. Backup Kayden Edwards was 2-of-3 for 49 yards and a score.
Edwards had an improbable impressive game as he caught a touchdown pass, threw a touchdown pass and returned a kickoff for a score. He finished with 64 yards receiving on 4 receptions and also ran twice for 31 yards.
Shaun “Mr. Electric” Terry had 4 catches for 63 yards and a TD.
Portsmouth (8-3) went 3-and-out to start the game and Ironton took over at its own 46.
Schreck hit Edwards for 14 yards but a holding penalty moved the ball back on the next down to midfield. Zayne “The Train” Williams then ran through the defense for 33 yards to set up a 17-yard scoring strike from Schreck to Terry.
Beckham Waginger’s conversion kick made it 7-0 with 9:28 on the clock.
The Trojans’ quarterback J.T. Williams scrambled and found Chase Heiland breaking across the middle for a 25-yard pass play to the Ironton 44.
But the drive bogged down and the Trojans punt was downed at the 1-yard line.
Ironton proceeded to go 99 yards in 11 plays highlighted by an 18-yard pass to Braydon Baker and a 28-yard pass play to Williams down to the 2-yard line.
Schreck scored on a 1-yard run and it was 14-0 with 1:54 left in the quarter.
Portsmouth managed to get to midfield but had to punt again and it also was blown dead at the 1-yard line.
The Fighting Tigers covered the real estate yet again only in 7 plays capped by an Edwards 33-yard pass to Tyler Roach. Waginger’s kick made it 21-0 with 6:40 left in the half.
Ironton had another drive to the 1-yard line only to be stopped on a fourth-and-goal.
But the Trojans were unable to move the ball and had to punt from their own end zone. Jesse Copas blocked the kick and Portsmouth managed to fall on the ball for a safety and it was 23-0 with just 28 seconds left in the half.
The second half began with a bang as Edwards took the kickoff at his own 21-yard line and returned it 79 yards for the touchdown and a 30-0 lead just 14 seconds into the third quarter.
Following another punt, Ironton scored in just 4 plays as Williams had a 20-yard run and Tyler Carmon went another 18 to the 2-yard line. Carmon scored on the next play and it was 37-0 with 6:25 left in the quarter.
Ironton began another drive and spilled over into the fourth quarter with Carmon scoring on a 1-yard run with 10:12 to play.
Carmon rushed for 44 yards, Williams 40, Copas 37 and Schreck 26 as 9 different players carried the ball.
Portsmouth 0 0 0 0 = 0
Ironton 14 9 14 7 = 44
First Quarter
Irn — Shaun Terry 17 pass from Braden Schreck (Beckham Waginger kick) 9:28
Irn — Braden Schreck 1 run (Beckham Waginger kick) 1:54
Second Quarter
Irn — Tyler Roach 33 pass from Kayden Edwards (Beckham kick) 6:40
Irn — Safety (Jesse Copas blocks punt in end zone recovered by Portsmouth) 0:28
Third Quarter
Irn — Kayden Edwards 79 kickoff return (Beckham Waginger kick) 11:46
Irn — Tyler Carmon 2 run (Beckham Waginger kick) 6:25
Fourth Quarter
Irn — Tyler Carmon 1 run (Beckham Waginger kick) 10:12
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Prt Irn
First downs 6 14
Rushes-yards 25-80 25-189
Passing yards 38 207
Total yards 118 396
Cmp-Att-Int 3-9-0 11-16-2
Fumbles-lost 1-0 1-0
Penalties-yards 7-82 9-75
Punts-average 5-31.4 0-00.0
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Individual Leaders
RUSHING—Portsmouth: Chase Heiland 13-35, J.T. Williams 8-8, Nick Copley 3-48, Marquez Locklear 2-minus 11; Ironton: Zayne Williams 4-40, Jesse Copas 4-37, Kayden Edwards 2-31, Tyler Carmon 7-44 2-TDs, Shaun Terry 1-6, Braden Schreck 4-26 TD, Braiden Linn 1-2, Tyler Harvey 1-2, Asher Keyes 1-1.
PASSING—Portsmouth: J.T. Williams 3-9-0 38; Ironton: Braden Schreck 9-1-0 158 TD, Kayden Edwards 2-3-0 49 TD.
RECEIVING—Portsmouth: Chase Heiland 1-25, Camron Williams 1-9, Lucas Bradley 1-4; Ironton: Shaun Terry 4-63 TD, Tyler Roach 1-33 TD, Kayden Edwards 4-64, Braydon Baker 1-18, Zayne Williams 1-29.
MISSED FIELD GOALS—None
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