Even though it wasn’t the prettiest first win of his career, Red Level first-year coach Tony Ingram said he’ll take his team’s 20-13 preseason victory over Pleasant Home Thursday.

“It was a lot better than the alternative,” said Ingram, who was disappointed with the number of penalties and turnovers in the game. “I’ve got a bad taste in my mouth right now. That’s not our brand of football. We’ve got to fix it.”

Ingram said he was disappointed his team did not show more discipline on the field.

“There were a lot of late hits, blocking in the back and unsportsmanlike calls,” he said. “I knew we weren’t ready from a timing and conditioning standpoint, but I thought we were more disciplined than that and that’s something we’ve got to work on.”

Red Level’s Trey Salter led in rushing for his team, carrying the ball six times for 137 yards.

One of those carries was for a 75-yard touchdown run at the end of the third quarter to bring the Tigers out of what was then a 13-12 deficit.

In the first quarter, the Tigers rolled out to an early six-point lead when junior quarterback Preston Ryce rushed for a 34-yard touchdown with 7:24 remaining in the quarter.

Pleasant Home would answer in the second quarter on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Syd Newby to sophomore wide receiver Cory Sims.

Red Level would take the lead for the second time just before halftime as Ryce connected with sophomore Raheem Bullock on a 38-yard touchdown pass. The Tigers tried for a two-point conversion, but it failed.

With 6:20 left in the third quarter, Pleasant Home’s Frank Senn ran for a 24-yard touchdown to bring the score to within one point before Salter’s winning touchdown at the end of that same quarter.

Pleasant Home coach Robert Bradford said a lot of the credit for Thursday night’s game went to Senn and first time junior quarterback Syd Newby.

“Sid Newby played back up quarterback and I bet he had 100 yards passing,” Bradford said. “For a quarterback that’s never played Q.B. in his life, that’s big to me. He did a great job.

“Frank Senn ran the ball like a dadgum madman. Our offensive line for the most part owned the game, but (Red Level) had some fast kids that made some big plays and it’s those big plays that win games.”

Red Level senior running back Desmond Jones led his team in rushing with 11 carries for 105 yards. Bullock had two receptions for 48 yards and one touchdown.

For Pleasant Home, Senn had 26 carries for 88 yards and one touchdown.

Both teams will open the regular season at home next weekend. Red Level will host Kinston on Thurs., Aug. 27, and Pleasant Home will host Samson on Fri., Aug. 28.