It was a hard-fought game on both sides, but it was ultimately the Red Level Tigers who prevailed to a 28-20 victory over the Pleasant Home Eagles on Friday night.

“It was ugly ugly,” Tigers’ head coach James Wise said. “Our kids played hard and our coaching staff did a great job tonight. Glad to get then win, and now we have to get ready for a tough region game against Kinston. That game next week will decide who is the No. 4 seed for our region.”

Red Level jumped out front of the Eagles when Dylan Jordan connected with Hunter Carpenter for the score. The Tigers were unsuccessful on the point after, but held a 6-0 lead early.

Pleasant Home answered right back with a long drive, and Reid Adams capped off the drive with a touchdown. The extra point was good and the Eagles were up 7-6.

A few drives later, Red Level retook the lead on touchdown pass from Jordan to Jeffery Perdue. Wesley Holley converted the two-point conversion to put Red Level up 14-7.

Both teams continued to slug it out on the field, and a few series later, Garrett Barton found Robert Scott for a 22-yard touchdown to put the Eagles down by one. Pleasant Home elected to go for a two-point conversion, but failed to convert and Red Level held a 14-13 lead.

Red Level added another touchdown in the third quarter when John Lee scampered into the end zone. The conversion attempt was no good, but the Tigers held a 20-13 lead.

Pleasant Home responded right back, as Adams found the end zone for the second time. The Eagles were successful on the two-point conversion to tie the game at, 20-20.

With less than six minutes left in the contest, the Eagles began to march down the field, but an Eagle fumble was picked up by Red Level.

“I was disappointed in the way the game was called,” Eagles’ head coach Chris Mason said. “However, we can’t put the ball on the ground right there. Ball security is something that has really hurt us this year, and we have got to get better at it.”

After the fumble, the Tigers drove down the field and Lee found the end zone for the second time in the game, and after a two-point conversion by the Holley, the Tigers were up 28-20.

“Ball security is just something we are not good at right now,” Mason said. “We have to find a way to improve that. Overall, I was proud of the heart that we played with. This was the best mentality that we have played with all year. I’m frustrated that we just can’t finish off a game, and the kids are too.”

Adams led the way for the Eagles with 84 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

D.J. Veasey had 9 carries for 34 yards.

“We didn’t play as physical in the trenches as I would like us to,” Wise said. “Now, we have to get ready for Kinston. Whoever wins that game will be the fourth seed for our region. We know that Kinston is going to bring it.”