Ugly wins count the same.

In what Ironton coach Bob Lutz termed an &#8220ugly” game, the Fighting Tigers proved looks don't count as they beat the Rock Hill Redmen 28-14 in the Division IV Region 15 quarterfinal playoff game Saturday night at Tanks Memorial Stadium.

&#8220We put the ball on the ground five times, we had 70 yards in penalties, and we had two blunders on the punting game that gave them touchdowns,” Lutz said.

&#8220It was an ugly win, but the idea of the playoffs is to advance. We didn't play well, but we still won.”

Ironton (9-2) will now play Westfall for the second straight year next Saturday, probably at Portsmouth or Jackson.

The Fighting Tigers amassed 353 yards - all on the ground - and held Rock Hill to just 136 total yards and only 105 on the ground.

&#8220We put the ball on the ground too much. When you outgain someone 353 to 136, you should win by more than two or three touchdowns,” Lutz said.

Darius Lewis ran for 165 yards on 14 carries and scored the first two Ironton touchdowns. Quarterback Chad Miller had 95 yards on five attempts.

Rock Hill (9-1) was led by K.C. Christian with 78 yards on 23 carries, 67 yards below his average.

It didn't take Ironton long to establish its offense. After holding Rock Hill to a three-and-out, the Fighting Tigers drove 83 yards in 11 plays. A Miller-to-Lewis pitch on an option covered 24 yards to highlight the drive.

Lewis ran the final 2 yards and Craig Stamper's conversion kick made it 7-0.

&#8220Lewis is a heck of a back. He's a playmaker. He'll break tackles,” Lutz said.

Ironton forced another punt and Dominic Murphy ran it back for a touchdown only to have a penalty wipe out the 69-yard return.

But three plays later, Lewis bolted 68 yards and Ironton's lead was 14-0 with 2:04 left in the first quarter.

&#8220It was a (run right) and (tackle) Jesse Carmon got a downfield block and I cut back,” Lewis said.

The defense held again, but a fake punt gave Rock Hill the ball at the 36-yard line and kept alive the 14-play drive. Nine plays deep in the second quarter. T.J. Blagg ran 2 yards for the touchdown and it was 14-7.

After holding the Redmen again, Ironton fumbled the punt and Rock Hill had a first down at the Ironton 37. The: Redmen used 11 plays to score when Jarrod Casey hit Christian on a controversial 9-yard touchdown pass.

Blagg's conversion kick tied the score with 45 seconds left in the half.

&#8220We got up too quick and easy and then we rested on our laurels,” Lutz said. &#8220But give Rock Hill credit. They scrapped and played hard and came back. They didn't quit.”

Rock Hill tried an onside kickoff to start the second half and recovered the ball when Ironton fumbled it away at the 40. But this time Ironton held when John McClellan and Lewis combined to stop Casey for a 9-yard loss at the 33.

On the next play, Miller bolted 67 yards on a keeper and Ironton led 21-14.

A three-and-out gave Ironton the ball back at the 38. Nine plays later Jared Murphy bulled his way into the end zone and it was 28-14 with 2:37 on the clock.

&#8220(Rock Hill) stacked everything inside and we could have passed more, but we were still running the ball,” Lutz said.

Rock Hill01400=14

Ironton140140=28

First Quarter

Irn – Darius Lewis 2 run (Craig Stamper kick) 5:45

Irn – Darius Lewis 68 run (Craig Stamper kick) 2:04

Second Quarter

RH – T.J. Blagg 2 run (Blagg kick) 9:03

RH – K.C. Christian 9 pass from Jarrod Casey (T.J. Blagg kick) 0:45

Third Quarter

Irn – Chad Miller 67 run (Craig Stamper kick) 8:19

Irn – Jared Murphy 1 run (Craig Stamper kick) 2:37

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RHIrn

First downs1315

Rushes-yards51-10541-353

Passing yards310

Total yards136353

Cmp-Att-Int4-13-00-1-0

Fumbles-lost1-05-3

Punts-average5-45.82-35.5

Penalties-yards8-507-70

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Individual Leaders

RUSHING – Rock Hill: K.C. Christian 23-78, T.J. Blagg 15-50, Josh &#8220Deuce” Moore 4-minus 1, Jarrod Casey 7-minus 6, Dustin Harper 1-1, team 1-minus 17; Ironton: Darius Lewis 14-168, Chad Miller 5-95, Jared Murphy 14-47, Eric Layne 5-32, Dominic Murphy 1-8, John McClellan 2-3.

PASSING – Rock Hill: Jarrod Casey 3-11-0 29, K.C. Christian 1-2 2; Ironton: Chad Miller 0-1-0.

RECEIVING – Rock Hill: K.C. Christian 1-19, J.C. Murnahan 1-10, Derek Robinson 1-2; Ironton: None.

MISSED FIELD GOALS: None.