Ironton, Blue Devils set for epic showdown

By PAUL BOGGS

Photo’s by Kent Sanborn

 

Having a difficult, even agonizing, decision on which team – either Ironton or Gallia Academy – to choose for those weekly picks you make?

 

Well, take a number – because this one in Vegas would probably be a pick ’em.

 

In a game many anticipated – and even hoped – would be billed as arguably the biggest in all of Southeastern Ohio, for all of the 2019 season, is finally upon us.

 

It’s an Ohio Valley Conference super showdown, and a playoff points bonanza to boot, as the one-loss Ironton Fighting Tigers travel to face the undefeated Gallia Academy Blue Devils – with the winner clinching at least a share of the OVC championship and in all likelihood a state playoff berth.

 

Ironton enters at 7-1 while the host Blue Devils, the defending OVC champions, are a perfect 8-0.

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In fact, this is the first time in which Gallia Academy has been 8-0 since 1986.

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Both clubs also “control their own destiny” towards punching a playoff ticket – as both are currently rated third in their respective playoff regions (Ironton in Region 19 of Division V and Gallia Academy in Region 15 of Division IV), per the official Ohio High School Athletic Association weekly computer ratings.

 

In the Associated Press poll, the Fighting Tigers are sixth in Division V, while the Blue Devils are fifth in Division IV – their highest ranking in school history.

 

And both squads are experienced along their lines and at the skilled positions, enjoying strong seasons on both the defensive and offensive sides of the football.

 

The placekickers are pretty darn good, too.

 

Oh, and both are 6-0 in the OVC – as only Portsmouth (7-1, 5-1 in OVC), with a win over South Point this week, plays a role in deciding the conference championship aside from Ironton and Gallia Academy.

 

For sure, though, something has to give on Friday night – when Ironton invades Memorial Field in Gallipolis for kickoff at 7 p.m.

 

It will be a standing-room-only atmosphere along Fourth Avenue in the French City, and an electric one along the banks of the Chickamauga Creek where historic Memorial Field sits.

 

This is also an encounter in which several of these juniors and seniors have endured already, as Gallia Academy has won the past two meetings – including rallying from a 26-9 third-quarter deficit last season to ultimately prevail 36-33 to win its first-ever OVC championship in only its third season in the league.

In interviews this week, both coaches know of their players’ big-game experiences – and no doubt this is one of those affairs.

 

“We return a lot of guys, they return a lot of guys. This sets up so both teams know each other so well, and neither team is going to be short of confidence. Our players, their players, they know all about playing on a big stage like this,” said Ironton coach Trevon Pendleton. “It’s at their place this season, but it still comes down to blocking, tackling and taking care of the football. We do those three things well and better than Gallia Academy does, I like our chances. All of these big games have the same formula. Big-time players make the biggest plays in the biggest games. Our goals of a league championship are right there in front of us. We just have to continue to work hard, practice hard, go out and execute and we will reach our goal of winning the OVC.”

 

“Thankfully, we had a lot of young men involved in this game last year, but we also had a lot of kids in big roles this year that watched it from the sideline. We feel confident in their roles, and the adjustment and development they have shown this year. You can never simulate a ‘game’ like Friday night with the buildup from the outside. But when 7 p.m. comes and that first kickoff has happened, all of that noise is gone, all of the ‘chalkboard’ material is no more – all we have is an orange helmet versus a blue helmet,” said Gallia Academy coach Alex Penrod. “Our goal is to win the immediate play. And whether we win or lose that play, the mindset is always the most important play is the next play – no matter the week or the opponent or the share of OVC titles. We have to control our team, do our job.”

 

The Blue Devils have definitely done their jobs through eight games, scoring at least 14 points in each and at least 24 in seven – while pitching three shutouts.

Gallia Academy, after its first playoff appearance since 2012 last season, has overcome inexperience in spots.

 

“In any season, as the season extends, what you want to see from your team is to continually develop in a positive way. Wins and losses are a part of football, but the true statement is us as coaches seeing the development,” said Penrod. “We have been blessed to be 8-0 at this point in the season, and atop of the conference tied with Ironton. It has been a process, taking a lot of inexperienced pieces with our experience and showing weekly maturation.”

 

This week, though, shall show how much maturity the Blue Devils have reached, as Ironton – on paper – is the best opponent they have faced thus far.

 

Only Ashland (Ky), and a 16-10 overtime defeat, has prevented the Fighting Tigers from being an equal 8-0.

 

“Our kids have done a great job of handling each week and handling the adversity we faced from the Ashland game,” said Pendleton. “We’ve turned our attention to winning the OVC, which is our first goal as a team. We’ve went out and taken care of business each week, which sets us up for a share of the championship with a win this week.”

 

Ironton’s offense features a balance of run and pass, as six-foot three-inch junior running back Reid Carrico – an Ohio State verbal commit – has rushed for 828 yards and 16 touchdowns on 110 carries, good for seven-and-a-half yards per carry.

 

Carrico also leads the team in receptions – 14 for 260 yards and two TD.

 

Gage Salyers, the senior quarterback, has completed 51-of-97 passes for 850 yards –throwing for five touchdowns with four interceptions.

 

He has also rushed 53 times for 406 yards and six scores, and a 7.7 yards per carry average.

 

Seth Fosson, the senior fullback, has 259 yards on 39 attempts for 6.6 yards per tote.

But perhaps more impressive is the Fighting Tigers’ first-team defense, which has not allowed more than one touchdown in regulation time.

 

The Tomcats tallied a touchdown in overtime against Ironton.

 

“They are without a doubt a talented team,” said Penrod of the Fighting Tigers. “You could list about 12 names and numbers, but they play with so much passion and relentless effort. That is what makes them a fun watch from a ‘fan’ perspective. Unfortunately, I have the duty of being an opposing coach to them this week. So we’re trying to find what minimal weaknesses they do have, and try to take advantage of those. Our gameplan this week, like others, is to worry less about the opposing team, and continually see the growth of our players and our team – get them ready to play the football game of their life and make a name for some of our players who are heck of football players, too.”

 

One of those players is Gallia Academy junior James Armstrong,

 

Armstrong is six-foot tall and weighs 190 pounds, and has already made an official visit to Ohio State.

 

He has rushed for 1,034 yards on 142 carries – with an impressive average of 7.28 yards per touch.

 

But Armstrong suffered an injury early against Coal Grove two weeks ago, and did not play at all last week in the Blue Devils’ 48-7 victory at Rock Hill.

 

That game, in fact, was Gallia Academy’s first all season on an artificial FieldTurf surface, while Ashland has been Ironton’s only game on natural grass.

 

Rumors have swirled if Armstrong will be back for the Blue Devils this week, but Pendleton plans as if he will be – but emphasized Ironton’s gameplan doesn’t focus strictly on one player.

 

“We don’t focus on just one kid. I’ve heard (Armstrong) he may play, I’ve heard he may not play. I really don’t know. What I do know is Gallia Academy is going to have 11 players on both sides of the ball at all times. That is who we are gameplanning for. We focus on all 11,” he said. “They have a ton of good athletes that they like to get the ball to out in space. They like to run the football, but they have good, fast receivers and their quarterback has become a very good player for them. They have good size up front.”

 

Michael Beasy – a six-foot, 165-pound junior running back – complements Armstrong in the form of 615 yards on 80 carries while Noah Vanco, the junior quarterback, has completed 61-of-97 passes for 842 yards with eight touchdowns.

 

Cade Roberts returns as the Blue Devils’ H-back, and actually leads the Blue with 11 receptions for 199 yards.

 

If Armstrong doesn’t play, look for Gallia Academy to involve even more the likes of sophomores Donevyn Woodson and Briar Williams and seniors Ryan Donovsky and Ben Cox.

The experienced Blue Devil offensive line is anchored by three-year starting right tackle Riley Starnes – a 6-5, 295-pound junior who has taken an official visit to the University of Kentucky.

And, if the weather turns rainy, and Memorial Field gets muddy, then running the football – while making minimal mistakes – becomes even more important.

 

The Fighting Tigers have struggled at times with turnovers, but more glaring is the number of penalties.

 

“We can’t be making unforced errors in a game like this. It’s something we definitely need to clean up, and if we’re going to win this game, then we have to take care of the ball and really reduce the penalties,” said Pendleton. “If the weather gets bad, running the football on grass will be like the old backyard mud bowls and good old-fashioned smash-mouth football. Still, that makes protecting the football and eliminating mistakes that much more significant.”

 

Penrod preached the importance of turnovers too.

 

“Turnovers are usually a difference-maker in any game. They have had some miscues on both sides of the ball, but the same goes with our team too. It is continually preached and coached – as I am sure with them. You can never go into a game expecting three turnovers from an opposing team,” he said. “But we have to have the mentality to put them in situations where we can force the issue and hope the ball bounces our way. ‘Championship’ games will be won or lost on turnover ratio and field position.”

Penrod said he hopes for good weather, and actually explained “we were excited to finally be on turf last week at Rock Hill.”

 

“Whatever the surface, or elements of the game are, we know both teams will be ready to play football and adjust accordingly. What I do want to see is a dry field and clear evening for our fans of both teams to show up and watch a fantastic football game from two very good high school teams,” he said.

 

Two very good teams indeed.

 

That said, you still having difficulty deciding upon who to pick this week?