Ironton solves familiar problems against Bulldogs
Published 12:00 am Sunday, October 3, 2004
LOUISA, Ky. - Offensively, it was the same story for the Ironton FIghting Tigers. The opposition loaded up the line of scrimmage with 10 players most of the time and challenged the Fighting Tigers to throw the ball.
Same old story, same old ending.
Despite Lawrence County stacking the line of scrimmage, Ironton routed the Bulldogs 41-6 Friday night to remain unbeaten in six games this season.
"They gave us a different look at the line of scrimmage we hadn't seen, but after about three plays we adjusted and we were able to move the ball," Ironton coach Bob Lutz said.
Fullback Jared Murphy, who missed the first four games with an ankle injury, ran 11 times for 107 yards and two touchdowns as Ironton had 273 yards rushing.
Ironton had more than 100 yards rushing and three touchdowns called back due to holding penalties.
"I practiced pretty good all week. I'm not 100 percent, but I'm close," Murphy said. "The line blocked well. The cutbacks were there a lot."
Lawrence County, 1-5, did manage 219 total yards including 181 on the ground. The Bulldogs scored the first touchdown on Ironton's first team defense.
"We needed a game where we had to hit," Lutz said.
After the Bulldogs punted on the opening series of the game, Ironton went 77 yards in just six plays capped by a 12-yard scoring run by Darius Lewis. Murphy ran for the conversion and it was 8-0.
A second punt gave Ironton the ball at its own 49. Marcus Williams ran 6 yards and then Murphy bolted 45 yards for the TD and it was 14-0.
Neither team scored in the second quarter as Ironton bogged down after a holding penalty at the Bulldogs 42, and again on a lost fumble.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs drove to the Ironton 10-yard line just before the half, but linebacker Ryan Walker pulled down Lawrence County quarterback Luke Morgan on a fourth down play to stop the drive.
Lawrence County tried an onside kickoff to begin the second half and Ironton had the ball at the 41. Five plays later Murphy was in the end zone on a 13-yard scamper and it was 20-0.
The Bulldogs recovered and drove 78 yards in 15 plays and scored on a 5-yard pass from Morgan to Thomas Lewis and it was 20-6.
But Lawrence County tried another onside kickoff after the touchdown and the plan backfired. Williams caught the high hop at midfield and returned it for
the touchdown and Lewis added the conversion for a 28-6 lead.
"I kind of froze up. I didn't know what to do. It's the first time that's happened to me in my life," Williams said. "The defense was all on one side, I caught ball and I broke a tackle and I was gone."
Lewis ran 25 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter, but the play was nullified by a penalty. Williams scored from 35 yards out on the next play, but it, too, was recalled because of holding.
The result was a punt, but Ironton came right back on a 4-yard scoring run by Lewis and Craig Stamper kicked the conversion for a 35-6 lead.
Backup Joey Zornes darted 10 yards for a touchdown late in the game to set the final score.
Injuries bothered Ironton as guard/linebacker Adam Ferguson left the game in the second quarter with a shoulder injury.