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[Ayden Crowley | WOUB]

Ironton defeats Portsmouth to secure OVC title, moves in to top playoff spot in Region 19

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IRONTON, Ohio (WOUB) — It was senior night for the Ironton Tigers on Friday night when they took on the Portsmouth Trojans at home. Both teams fought hard, but despite a slow start in the first half, Ironton came out on top to further their six-game winning streak.

The game got off to an unexpected start; the Trojans held the Tigers to zero points throughout the first quarter and most of the second. This was due to Ironton’s struggle to move the ball on offense, and the away team’s efforts to keep it that way. Portsmouth did this by getting the first touchdown of the game with 8:19 left in the first. The energy changed in the second quarter however, when Landon Wilson punched a big one in for the Tigers with 5:01 left in the half. Ironton would go into the locker room down only 7-9.

This small taste of momentum was all Ironton needed to push them through halftime and into the third quarter. To open the half, Landon Wilson scored another touchdown for the Tigers, which was closely followed up by another Wilson touchdown and a two point conversion. Ironton would find the end zone once more in the third, outscoring the Trojans 22-0 in the quarter.

In the fourth quarter the Tigers made one more final move — Amar Howard scored on a 15-yard rush to seal the game. The final score was 36 for Ironton and 9 for Portsmouth.

Tayden Carpenter of the Ironton Tigers is sacked by Jalen Jones of the Portsmouth Trojans in their game on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. The Tigers went to win the game 36-9. [Alex Eicher | WOUB]
Drew Roe of the Portsmouth Trojans looks for an open receiver in their game against the Ironton Tigers on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. The Tigers went to win the game 36-9. [Alex Eicher | WOUB]
The Ironton Tigers block an extra point from Zach Roth of the Trojans in their game on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. The Tigers went to win the game 36-9. [Alex Eicher | WOUB]
Drew Roe of the Portsmouth Trojans avoids a tackle from Angelo Washington in their game against the Ironton Tigers on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. The Tigers went to win the game 36-9. [Alex Eicher | WOUB]
Cj Martin dives for the tackle on Dariyonne Bryant of the Portsmouth Trojans in their game on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. The Tigers went to win the game 36-9. [Alex Eicher | WOUB]
Landen Wilson of the Ironton Tigers celebrating after a big run with the ball in their game against the Portsmouth Trojans on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. The Tigers went to win the game 36-9. [Alex Eicher | WOUB]
Blake Murrell of the Ironton Tigers celebrates after a sack on the Portsmouth Trojans Quaterback Drew Roe in their game on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. The Tigers went to win the game 36-9. [Alex Eicher | WOUB]
Amar Howard is tackled into the endzone by Dariyonne Bryant for a Tigers touchdown in their game against the Portsmouth Trojans on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. The Tigers went to win the game 36-9. [Alex Eicher | WOUB]
Ironton Tigers Cole Freeman (40), Lincoln Barnes (32), Jon Wylie (10) and Ben Sloan (30) pose for a photo after their win aganst the Portsmouth Trojans on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. [Alex Eicher | WOUB]

This game ultimately secured the Ohio Valley Conference title for the Ironton Tigers (9-1), as they finish their regular season on a six-game win streak. With this marquee victory, the Tigers also move into the top seed of Division V Region 19. They take on the Wellston Golden Rockets (5-5) in the first round of what’s likely to be a long postseason for Ironton.

The season is far from over for Portsmouth (7-3). Though they fall to the 9-seed in Region 19, they’ve got a matchup with 8-3 Zane Trace next week.