MASON, Ohio – The Ohio Valley Ironmen relied on their defense early in Saturday night’s season-opening 35-7 victory over the Cincinnati Dukes in a Continental Football League North Division contest on Dwire Field at Mason High School’s Atrium Stadium.

The defense scored two touchdowns in a 17-point first quarter as Jaylin Mack picked off a Kimani Murray pass and returned it 30 yards. Anthony Beitko’s conversion made it 7-0.

Following a 26-yard field goal by Beitko that bumped the count to 10-0, DeShawn Bell scooped up a loose ball and rambled four yards for six points. Beitko’s placement made it 17-0.

With the lead, the Ironmen turned to the ground game as Jada Byers, who had a 62-yard jaunt earlier in the game, scored from a yard out. On the next series, backfield mate Jeremiah Nelson bulled over from the 1, and Beitko was true on both conversions for a 31-0 halftime advantage.

The Dukes finally scored on a 25-yard pass from Murray to Kovion Sparks in the fourth quarter. It was the first points Ohio Valley has given up in its short season-and-one-game history.

Beitko boomed a 30-yard field goal and punter Issac Parks tacked on the final point with a rogue kick in the Continental Shift fourth quarter.

Quarterback Javonte Howard, despite not throwing a touchdown pass, completed 15 of 23 for 246. He was intercepted twice. Nick Turner caught four passes for 54 yards, while Chris Charles (80), Cashid Raymond (64) and D’Ago Hunter (30) each had three receptions.

Byers ran for 69 yards on four carries. Quincy Wimbish added 46 on half-a-dozen totes, while Nelson had 17 on five carries.

Ohio Valley ran 43 offensive plays that accounted for 358 yards. The Ironmen gave up 181 on 49 snaps.

After a week off, Ohio Valley will host Cincinnati on Sunday, June 28 at 7 p.m. at Purple Rider Stadium inside the Dave Bruney Football Complex in Martins Ferry.