Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PORTSMOUTH — Ironton coach Mark Vass had two goals heading in to Friday’s game against the Portsmouth Trojans: win and leave healthy.

Mission accomplished.

After jumping out to a 35-0 lead, Vass substituted freely and sat standout running back Patrick Lewis for most of the game. Although the Trojans continued throwing the ball and taking their shots at the end zone, Ironton was never really threatened in winning 61-34.

Ironton (5-0) has Johnson Central (4-1), Bishop Watterson (3-2), Bishop Hartley (5-0) and Oak Hill (4-1) remaining.

“We’ve got a tough three or four game stretch coming up and I just wanted to get a win and come out of the game healthy,” said Vass.

“I may have pulled the starters too early and that’s on me, but we’ve got some people hurt and we can’t afford to get anyone else banged up.”

Lewis was limited to just six carries but he still presented his father Lamont with a nice 40th birthday present as he rushed for 165 yards and three touchdowns.

Quarterback Tanner Dutey had a big game hitting all five of his passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Backup quarterback Tristan Cox carried five times for 135 yards including a 99-yard run on a quarterback sneak.

Portsmouth (1-4) had 458 yards offense. Quarterback Brandon Wedebrook hit 16 of 27 for 214 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

Johnie Charles ran 29 times for 156 yards and three scores as the Trojans had 244 yards on the ground.

“Defensively we didn’t play well, but Portsmouth has a good offensive team. (Portsmouth) coach (Curt) Clifford knows how to scheme for us,” said Vass. “But they weren’t stopping us very well and we were able to get the big lead and take some liberties.”

Ironton scored on the second play of the game when Lewis ran 66 yards for a score. An interception by Brandon Wilson at the Trojans’ 34 gave the ball right back to Ironton and Lewis ran 15 yards five plays later and it was 14-0.

Aaron Stephens made a hit on Wedebrook and caused a fumble that he recovered at the 20. Four plays later Dutey hit Trevor White who turned and ran through the Trojans’ secondary on his way to a 64-yard touchdown and a 21-0 lead.

Trying to avoid kicking the ball to Lewis, Portsmouth punted for just 10 yards to the 36 and White scored five plays later on a 1-yard run.

Ironton got the ball back to the Portsmouth 29 after another punt and Dutey lofted a ball over a defender into the hands of Dion Brown who ran to the end zone on a 29-yard scoring play and a 35-0 lead with 8:24 left in the half.

Portsmouth was down 35-7 and drove to the Ironton 1-yard line to start the third quarter before the defense held on downs. Cox then scored on a quarterback sneak and it was 41-7.

The Trojans scored three straight touchdowns to draw within 41-27 with 10:05 left. Vass re-inserted Lewis into the lineup and on the first play he bolted 66 yards for a score and a 48-27 lead.

An interception by Jacob Friend three plays later gave Ironton the ball at the Trojans’ 30 and Dutey scored on a 1-yard run five plays later.

Matt Thomas came off the bench to score on a 44-yard run for Ironton with 2:22 left and cap the scoring.

Ironton 21 14 6 20 = 61

Portsmouth 0 7 13 14 = 34

First Quarter

Irn — Patrick Lewis 66 run (Jalen Schweickart kick) 11:09

Irn — Patrick Lewis 15 run (Jalen Schweickart kick) 8:36

Irn — Trevor White 64 pass from Tanner Dutey (Jalen Schweickart kick) 2:22

Second Quarter

Irn — Trevor White 2 run (Jalen Schweickart kick) 10:17

Irn — Dion Brown 29 pass from Tanner Dutey (Jalen Schweickart kick) 8:24

Prt — Johnie Charles 1 run (Zach Delotell kick) 5:13

Third Quarter

Irn — Tristan Cox 99 run (kick block) 4:58

Prt — Johnie Charles 1 run (kick failed) 3:02

Prt — Alex Dickerson 47 pass from Brandon Wedebrook (Zach Delotell kick) 1:02

Fourth Quarter

Prt — Johnie Charles 1 run (Zach Delotell kick) 10:05

Irn — Patrick Lewis 66 run (Jalen Schweickart kick) 9:43

Irn — Tanner Dutey 1 run (Jalen Scheweickart kick) 6:53

Prt — Brandon Wedebrook 9 run (Zach Delotell kick) 3:50

Irn — Matt Thomas 44 run (kick blocked) 2:22

 

Irn Prt

First downs 12 24

Rushes-yards 31-411 52-244

Passing yards 124 214

Total yards 535 458

Cmp-Att-Int 5-6-0 16-27-2

Fumbles-lost 1-1 4-2

Penalties-yards 5-45 2-11

Punts-average 1-31.0 2-26.5

Individual Leaders

RUSHING—Ironton: Patrick Lewis 6-165, Tanner Schweickart 5-13, Trevor White 6-24, Tanner Dutey 4-14, Dion Brown 1-13, Tristan Cox 5-135, Jeremy Bodmer 1-6, Derik Berry 1-minus 4, Matt Thomas 2-45; Portsmouth: Johnie Charles 29-156, Austin Rideout 4-11, Brabdon Wedebrook 11-39, Alex Dickerson 3-18, Zach Delotell 5-20.

PASSING—Ironton: Tanner Dutey 5-5-0 124, Tristan Cox 0-1-0; Portsmouth: Brandon Wedebrook 16-27-2 214.

RECEIVING—Ironton: Brandon Wilson 1-5, Trevor White 2-76, Aaron Stephens 1-14, Dion Brown 1-29; Portsmouth: Alex Dickerson 11-155, Sky Oliver 4-50, Khalil Lattimore 1-9.

MISSED FIELD GOALS: None.