Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

SOUTH POINT — Seth Fosson is known for his offense. He also put his name out there on defense on Friday.
Fosson had three tackles for a loss including a sack and forced a fumble for the Ironton defense, but he didn’t forget his offense as he ran five times for 66 yards and two touchdowns in the Fighting Tigers 41-0 Ohio Valley Conference win over the South Point Pointers.
Ironton quarterback and defensive back Gage Salyers also turned in some big defensive plays as he had two interception returns for touchdowns and also rushed for another score.
It didn’t take Ironton long to get on the scoreboard.
After forcing a punt to start the game, Ironton went 56 yards in six plays capped by Salyers’ 9-yard run behind a key block by Cody Rowe.
Salyers had a 30-yard run and Fosson’s 17-yard burst to key the drive. Izack Unger kicked the conversion.
South Point (2-3, 0-2) used passes of 17 and 36 yards from Ronnie Anderson to Cade Brandt to reach the Ironton 14.
But the Fighting Tigers’ defense held the Pointers on downs and took over at that spot.
Ironton’s passing game continued to struggle as the offense was forced to punt on the next two possessions. But the defense forced a fumble and Trent Klaiber recovered at the Pointers’ 26.
Fosson blasted through the Pointers’ defense on the ensuing play and it was 14-0 just 15 seconds into the second quarter and it was 14-0.
The Fighting Tigers got another turnover on an interception by John Higgins at the Pointers’ 33.
Fosson had an 18-yard run and on a fourth-and-1 at the 6-yard line he took the ball through a huge hole in the defensive line and it was 21-0 with 9:46 left in the half.
The Fighting Tigers came up with a third straight turnover as Salyers intercepted a pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown to make it was 27-0 with 7:46 to go in the half.
It was almost an instant replay on the next series as Salyers had a second pick six that covered 49 yards and it was 34-0.
A 33-yard punt return by Brycen Thomas got the ball to the Pointers’ 12 and three plays later Tanner Wilson went 5 yards for the Ironton touchdown and it was 41-0 with 4:53 left in the half.
South Point (2-3, 0-2) was limited to just 55 passing yards and minus-7 yards rushing against the first team defense.
Due to South Point injuries, the teams played two 8-minute quarters in the second half with a running clock.
Ironton’s reserves got a touchdown in the third quarter when Alex Cox got loose on a 46-yard gallop and it was 48-0.
Next Friday Ironton travels to Chesapeake and South Point visits Rock Hill.
Ironton     7    34    7    0    =    48
South Point    0    0    0    0    =    0
First Quarter
Irn — Gage Salyers 9 run (Izack Unger kick) 8:40
Second Quarter
Irn — Seth Fosson 26 run (Izack Unger kick) 11:45
Irn — Seth Fosson 6 run (Izack Unger kick) 9:46
Irn — Gage Salyers 42 interception return (kick failed) 9:27
Irn — Gage Salyers 49 interception return (Izack Unger kick) 9:46
Irn — Tanner Wilson 5 run (Izack Unger kick) 4:53
Third Quarter
Irn — Alex Cox 46 run (Izack Unger kick) 1:45
——
Irn    SP
First downs    9    6
Rushes-yards    30-242    22-18
Passing yards    6    55
Total yards    248    73
Cmp-Att-Int    1-6-0    5-17-3
Fumbles-lost    1-0    3-1
Penalties-yards    5-50    5-46
Punts-average    2-32.5    4-39.0
——
Individual Leaders
RUSHING —Ironton: Seth Fosson 5-66, Gage Salyers 7-64, Tanner Wilson 3-14, Garrett Carrico 3-11, Gunner Crawford 2-minus 1, Dalton Crabtree 2-12, Ayden Barnes 1-6, Alex Cox 2-49, John Higgins 2-13, Ryan Payne 1-20, Will York 1-1, team 1-minus 13; South Point: Ronnie Anderson 11-15, Darryl Taylor 4-10, Tayshaun Fox 7-minus 7.
PASSING — Ironton: Gage Salyers 1-6-0 6; South Point: Ronnie Anderson 5-13-3 55, Darryl Taylor 0-4-0.
RECEIVING — Ironton: Jordan Grizzle 1-6; South Point: Cade Brandt 3-54, Timmy O’Neill 1-4, Tayshaun Fox 1-minus 3.