Category: Ironton

Ironton, Blue Devils set for epic showdown

Ironton, Blue Devils set for epic showdown

Gallia Academy vs Ironton

OVC
SEO

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.

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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.

 

Head Coach Trevon Pendleton

Current Team
Ironton
Past Teams
Portsmouth West
“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.

 

#
28
Name
Reid Carrico
Position
2021
Height
6-03
Weight
225
Current Team
Ironton
Leagues
OVC, SEO
Seasons
2019, 2020
Carrico also leads the team in receptions – 14 for 260 yards and two TD.

 

#
7
Name
Gage Salyers
Position
2020
Height
6-01
Weight
205
Current Team
Ironton
Leagues
OVC, SEO
Seasons
2019
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.

 

#
44
Name
Seth Fosson
Position
2020
Height
6-01
Weight
235
Current Team
Ironton
Leagues
OVC, SEO
Seasons
2019
Seth Fosson, the senior fullback, has 259 yards on 39 attempts for 6.6 yards per tote.

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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.

 

Head Coach Alexander K Penrod

Current Team
Gallia Academy
Past Teams
Alexander
“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,

 

#
3
Name
James Armstrong
Position
2021
Height
6-00
Weight
190
Current Team
Gallia Academy
Leagues
OVC, SEO
Seasons
2019, 2020
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.”

 

#
20
Name
Michael Beasy
Position
2021
Height
6-00
Weight
165
Current Team
Gallia Academy
Leagues
OVC, SEO
Seasons
2019, 2020
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.

#
24
Name
Donevyn Woodson
Position
2022
Height
5-11
Weight
145
Current Team
Gallia Academy
Leagues
OVC, SEO
Seasons
2019, 2020

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.

#
50
Name
Riley Starnes
Position
2021
Height
6-05
Weight
295
Current Team
Gallia Academy
Leagues
OVC, SEO
Seasons
2019

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?

OVC Standings

PosTeamWLPFPANet Pts
17033234298
261277160117
35220418222
4431711674
534134233-99
625188268-80
716140233-93
807112281-169

Gallia Academy Rushing

RankPlayerPositionATTRUYDSTD
1James Armstrong2021152111611
2Michael Beasy202112277112
3Briar Williams2022243052
4Donevyn Woodson2022111260
5Brody Fellure20239981
View all players

Ironton Rushing

RankPlayerPositionATTRUYDSTD
1Reid Carrico2021208158123
2Gage Salyers202013287213
3Seth Fosson2020573916
4Cameron Deere2021433012
5Trevor Carter2023232324
View all players
Home \ Away
Chesapeake   35-42 35-28 49-28 0-29 2-38 26-30 35-18 34-26 20-55 48-6 7-48 10-58 6-50 28-40 14-21 49-38 39-55 48-13 21-33 22-28 21-35 20-27 38-20 40-12 20-38 35-27 42-0 35-0 7-19 48-0
Coal Grove 44-30 38-45 27-7 6-34 53-14 46-14 20-15   22-56 12-27 29-19 20-13 27-44 28-8 20-42 67-13 12-54 12-49 28-7 6-13 66-63 36-34 40-20 20-6 7-25 35-27 40-8 62-7 20-33 55-14 40-0 44-17 54-10
Fairland 28-13 36-33 46-28 6-36 58-20 19-26 15-41 27-21 35-13 34-22 12-48 8-28   40-35 0-28 49-32 23-41 0-31 43-27 12-20 62-34 7-35 40-7 36-12 21-14 16-42 27-0 40-6 47-7 50-20 26-20 41-20 41-6
Gallia Academy 47-21 55-27 34-32 28-12 44-20 20-33 47-43 53-35 34-49   17-27 0-52 38-20 50-18 45-28 36-35 47-6 43-20 13-51 41-0 44-0 40-24
Ironton 48-27 28-12 71-0 21-12 14-12 62-14 49-7 21-27 35-0 55-7 33-36 49-0   21-6 48-7 35-42 42-20 42-0 46-0 34-7 28-13 62-13 41-0
Portsmouth 28-6 34-20 34-14 18-49 14-6 28-13 14-19 7-34 6-34 35-20 51-46 12-18 7-34 45-14 9-50 35-28 28-43   40-28 28-14 33-32 21-7 47-16 39-0 55-28
Rock Hill 14-10 13-36 13-24 12-41 7-25 23-16 33-20 7-28 21-33 13-41 28-51 6-42 35-42 48-6 19-21 7-50 7-44 7-48 56-54 0-41 13-47 14-33 27-28 28-31 38-14   20-53 26-21 44-16 48-0 38-45 61-6
South Point 0-42 14-53 3-41 13-33 6-40 7-25 0-43 0-21 14-56 6-46 14-35 13-53 0-33 32-8 43-74 0-39 0-28 26-57 0-47 8-42 2-38 0-48 8-35 14-31 7-40 20-40 28-34 0-35 16-36 9-10 41-6  

Vikings, Bobcats open SOC I slate; Ironton @ Chesapeake, Trimble @ Waterford, Logan @ Athens

By PAUL BOGGS

Photo by Robert Stevens

Symmes Valley vs Green

Don’t look now, but the Symmes Valley Vikings are quietly creeping up the Division VII, Region 27 playoff ladder.

 

They are also aiming – with the Oak Hill Oaks having moved up to the Southern Ohio Conference Division II – to significantly scale the totem pole of the SOC I.

 

But so too are the Green Bobcats – with their numbers and hopes on the rise and coming off their first winning season and state playoff appearance since 1990.

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With Northwest now the largest SOC I school for football, and according to many observers the favorite for this season’s division championship, the 4-1 Vikings and 3-2 Bobcats will surely have something to say about that – as they open SOC I action on Friday night in Lawrence County.

 

Kickoff at Symmes Valley High School is set for 7 p.m.

 

The Vikings, whose lone loss was to archrival and Division V Chesapeake, have shut out Fairfield Christian (37-0) before steamrolling Fairview (50-6) and Sciotoville East (47-6) in non-conference clashes the past two weeks.

 

The Vikings vanquished South Gallia 14-12 in the opener, and are currently 10th in the official OHSAA Region 27 computer ratings.

 

The Bobcats are 12th in those same computer rankings, but Green is coming off a bad 26-22 setback at Fairview (Ky.).

 

Green will now likely need to run the table to qualify for a second straight playoff appearance, and it doesn’t help that the three teams it has defeated – Cincinnati Dohn Community (1-4), Manchester (0-5) and Federal Hocking (1-4) – are a combined 2-13.

 

That trio will also unlikely yield anymore possible playoff points.

 

The run-oriented Vikings are considered a heavy favorite, despite the Bobcats winning two of the past three meetings – albeit by a combined 11 points (32-28 in 2016 and 22-15 in 2018).

 

The series is lopsided in Symmes Valley’s favor with only those two victories by the Bobcats – besides Green’s only other win since the turn of century in 2006.

 

Oak Hill has dominated the division for the past decade, as the Vikings split the crown with the Oaks and Mohawks in 2014 – while winning it outright in 2011.

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Northwest now wins the numbers game by being a Division V program – with the other five SOC I squads belonging to Region 27.

RankPlayerPositionHeightWeightATTRUYDSTDRECREYDSTD
1Josh Ferguson20215-101751081111113230
2Ethan Patterson20226-001557155073330
3Jack Leith20206-03170904816000
4Luke Leith20216-0116014148451025
5Nick Strow20225-10160351350000
View all players

But numbers on the field are with the Vikings, as three backs (Josh Ferguson 51 carries, 426 yards and 4 TD; Jack Leith 46 carries, 236 yards and 4 TD; Eli Patterson 28 carries, 229 yards and 2 TD) have amassed at least 28 carries, 231 yards and two touchdowns.

 

Jack Leith has completed 9-of-14 passes for 156 yards and four TDs, as three players have at least three receptions – with Luke Leith’s three catches all going for scores.

 

Gavan Yates, a starting Symmes Valley offensive lineman, has successfully kicked 13 extra points and one field goal.

 

 Ironton at Chesapeake

Chesapeake vs Ironton

 

In another matchup of 4-1 at 3-2, but also along the lines of David vs. Goliath, Ironton (4-1) invades Chesapeake (3-2) for maintaining front-running status in the Ohio Valley Conference.

 

Kickoff inside Phil Davis Stadium in Chesapeake is set for 7 p.m.

 

The Fighting Tigers, the consensus preseason favorite for the OVC championship along with defending champion Gallia Academy, bounced back from their only loss of the season (16-10 in overtime at Ashland) – with an expected league defeat of South Point (38-2) last week.

 

Ironton is 2-0 in the league, and attempting to make it 5-for-5 against the Panthers in all of their meetings since joining the OVC in 2015.

 

The Fighting Tigers took the league championship in their first two campaigns.

 

The Panthers are 1-1 in the league, having lost 55-27 at Gallia Academy – before  winning a shootout at Coal Grove last week by a final score of 45-38.

 

Ironton, however, is a heavy favorite against the Panthers, which have remained much healthier through the first half of this year.

 

There is also a bevy of state playoff points at stake, as the Tigers (8.95 computer points average) trail only Minford (9.65 CPA) for the top spot in Division V Region 19, but have five more Level-2 points than do the Falcons.

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Speaking of Minford, Ironton will benefit from a Wheelersburg victory over the Falcons this week, while Minford is rooting for a Panther upset of the Fighting Tigers.

 

Chesapeake’s only other loss is against the Falcons in week two, as the Panthers (5.6 CPA) currently occupy the eighth and final playoff spot in Region 19.

 

The top eight teams in each region qualify for the playoffs – with the top four squads earning first-round home bouts.

 

Trimble at Waterford

Waterford vs Trimble

So somebody, anybody, finally scored upon the undefeated Trimble Tomcats this season.

 

But while the Tomcats didn’t win that trivial battle, they did win their latest war – defeating the Worthington Christian Warriors 34-6 to move to 5-0.

 

This week, Trimble returns to Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division play – and tangles with the host Waterford Wildcats, which will arguably be their toughest opponent in the remainder of the regular season.

 

Waterford, with only a lopsided loss against arch-rival but Division VI Fort Frye, stands at 4-1 – and welcomes the defending champion Tomcats for the inside track to the latest TVC-Hocking championship.

 

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

 

Both clubs are 3-0 in the TVC-Hocking, and while the Wildcats have allowed only 34 points in three conference tilts, the Tomcats – against 3-2 Belpre, 3-2 Meigs Eastern and 1-4 South Gallia – have not surrendered a single solitary one.

 

Waterford will need not only to score against the Tomcats, but they will need to do so several times.

 

They didn’t against Fort Frye in being blanked 49-0, and Trimble – like the Cadets – is considered one of the top Division VI programs in the entire state.

 

Zane Heiss has completed 22-of-54 passes for 496 yards and four touchdowns, as Nick Fouss has caught 14 passes for 372 yards and three scores.

 

Heiss has also been a primary running threat from the quarterback spot, rushing for 335 yards and four TD on 33 carries, while Holden Dailey leads the Wildcats with 369 yards and 10 touchdowns on 36 attempts.

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Joe Pantelidis has the most carries for Waterford with 40, and has 290 yards with a trio of touchdowns.

 

Waterford will face Trimble’s vaunted wishbone rushing attack, as Connor Wright will enter Friday’s affair at four carries short of 100 – and already 99 rushing yards shy of exactly 1,000.

 

Wright also has 13 touchdowns.

 

Quarterback Cameron Kittle has rushed for 285 yards on 32 attempts and five trips to paydirt, while completing 15-of-21 passes for 354 yards with seven scores.

 

The Wildcats sit sixth in the Division VII, Region 27 computer ratings, so an upset win would open so many doors for them.

 

Waterford won back-to-back TVC-Hocking titles in 2016 and 2017, following Trimble’s run of three consecutive from 2013 thru 2015.

 

The Tomcats’ last league loss was at Waterford two years ago, as Trimble has captured 13 consecutive conference victories.

 

Trimble (8.8) trails only New Middletown Springfield (9.5) and Fort Frye (9.15) for the top spot in the Region 21 computer ratings.

 

Logan at Athens

Athens vs Logan

Talk about two programs really needing – and even craving – a victory, and against an old enemy at that.

 

That’s the setting for Friday night’s matchup at Rutter Field in The Plains, as longtime rivals Logan and Athens square off in an important and now non-league duel – despite both entering with losing records.

 

Kickoff at Athens High School is set for 7:30 p.m.

 

The Chieftains are 1-4 and the Bulldogs are 2-3 – something seldom seen or even heard of when the Route 33 rivals did battle during their former Southeastern Ohio Athletic League days.

 

Logan, now an independent program playing in Division II, landed its first victory of the season last week – an 18-7 Thursday night special over host Chillicothe.

 

The Chieftains had scored just seven points apiece in each of their previous four bouts, but snapped a school-record 11-game losing streak by stymieing the offensively-struggling Cavaliers.

 

Logan – whose four losses are to teams with a combined 16-4 record – turns its attention to the Bulldogs, which have won two consecutive in this series, which was renewed four years ago.

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However, in the two-decade stretch from 1996 thru 2016, Athens lost 14 in a row to Logan, as the Bulldogs departed the SEOAL – and joined the Tri-Valley Conference starting in 2008.

 

It’s been an excellent move for Athens, which has won or shared six TVC-Ohio championships over the past decade, including its first last season since a four-year span from 2011 thru 2014.

 

But the Bulldogs began this season at 0-3, losing to 4-1 Waverly (30-27) and undefeated Jackson (31-26) by a combined eight points – before falling 42-20 at undefeated Parkersburg South in West Virginia.

 

As a result of those non-league losses, Athens must win out if it is to have any shot at qualifying for the Division III, Region 11 playoffs.

 

The Bulldogs, with a computer points average of 4.0, are only 17th in Region 11.

 

This week, Athens’ finesse and spread-the-field formation attack indeed will be tested against the Chieftains’ physicality.

 

Under the direction of first-year head coach Nathan White, junior Joey Moore is thriving at quarterback – having completed 86-of-137 passes for 1,204 yards and 14 touchdowns.

 

Moore is also the Green and Gold’s leading rusher, totaling 377 yards and four TD on 93 carries.

 

At least six Athens receivers have at least six receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown, as Nate Trainer is easily Moore’s top target – with 35 catches for 522 yards and four scores.

 

Look for Logan to try and play ball control, and keep Moore and company confined to the sidelines, as Caden McCarty (105 carries for 437 yards) and quarterback Braeden Spatar (100 carries for 350 yards) spearhead a 1-2 Chieftain rushing attack.

 

McCarty has scored six rushing touchdowns for 36 points – as the Purple and White have only scored 46 points all season.

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Spatar has thrown just 51 passes, but has completed 31 of them for 286 yards and one TD, including 14 for 148 yards to Garret Mace.

 

Fighting Tigers tangle in grudge match with Tomcats

Ashland KY vs Ironton

 

By PAUL BOGGS

 Photo by Roger Trammell Exphotos & Restoration

 

IRONTON – Indeed, it’s always good to pass a road test.

This week, the undefeated Ironton Fighting Tigers are preparing to take their first such for this year.

However, despite what some educated observers – and even Internet message board posters – may suggest, Friday night’s exam isn’t at all easy.

In fact, it is what many believe to be the Fighting Tigers’ most difficult challenge to date – a short trek across the Ohio River into Kentucky and the annual week-four grudge match with arch-rival Ashland.

Ironton is 3-0 while the host Tomcats are 3-1, but Ashland is coming off a heartbreaking 34-33 overtime defeat at Wheelersburg – and likely is angry after that outcome.

The Fighting Tigers try to avoid an Ashland trip-up like what Wheelersburg did to the Tomcats, as kickoff inside Ashland’s Putnam Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m.

It’s a highly-touted affair involving neighboring rivals, and there are already plenty of subplots as the Internet chatter increases – and even intensifies.

What could have been another storyline entering Friday evaporated, though, as then 0-2 Wheelersburg – which Ironton rolled 30-6 in the season opener – knocked off the previously-undefeated Tomcats in overtime.

Ashland escaped Knox County with a 21-12 triumph in its opener, then had its way with Boyd County (53-7) and George Washington (49-16) in back-to-back weeks.

Against the Pirates, the Tomcats scored the opening 13 points prior to Wheelersburg scoring the next 21 over the next two quarters.

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In the fourth quarter, Wheelersburg kicker Braxton Sammons booted a pair of field goals – including the 45-yarder with nine seconds remaining to force the 27-27 tie and the extra period.

In the overtime, the Tomcats scored first, but Wheelersburg standout Makya Matthews – who was injured against Ironton and didn’t play in the Pirates’ 44-6 loss to Columbus Hartley – had the winning touchdown run with Sammons kicking the extra point.

 Meanwhile, the Fighting Tigers wrapped up their third consecutive home tilt to open the season – a 49-7 victory over Fairland in the Ohio Valley Conference opener.

 The Dragons scored on the game’s opening play, an 83-yard pass from quarterback Max Ward to Gavin Hunt, but then Ironton answered with the final 49 points – following an interception and return of 38 yards by Gage Salyers of his counterpart Ward.

 Salyers then completed a big-play pass of his own for a score, as he hooked up with Reid Carrico for a 78-yard reception that put the Fighting Tigers in front for good.

 This week, Ironton invades Ashland – and will need to make more plays on both sides of the ball.

 While the Fighting Tigers are ranked second in the initial Associated Press Division V Ohio high school football poll, the Tomcats are ranked fifth in Class 3A in Kentucky – having dropped down in class from a year ago.

 Last season, Ashland escaped Ironton with a 14-7 win, extending to four its winning streak over the Fighting Tigers – part of seven victories in the last 10 meetings in the series.

 While the Tomcats’ all-time yardage leader – quarterback Braxton Ratliff – has gradated, don’t tell them that their talent pool has run dry.

[event_scoreboard id=”1715″ number=”14″ align=”none”]

 This season’s signal-caller is 5-8, 165-pound Jake Gregg, who has completed 30-of-46 passes for 411 yards and three touchdowns.

 But the Tomcats have evolved into a running team this year, with Blake Hester (5-11, 175, Sr.) rushing for 579 yards and nine TD on 82 carries, while Keontae Pittman posts 361 yards and six scores on 61 attempts.

 Both have at least three catches for 46 yards, while junior J.T. Garrett is the leading receiver with six receptions for 96 yards.

 All three stand at least five-feet 11-inches tall and weigh 175 pounds.

 An experienced group of offensive linemen await the talented Tiger defense, which has allowed only two touchdowns all season – including Matthews’ 72-yard scamper in the opener.

 The Tomcat starters up front all stand at least six-feet tall and weigh at least 245 pounds.

 A matchup to eye involves Ironton’s defensive front against Ashland’s offensive line, as former Tomcat Junior Jones will be going against his former teammates.

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 Jones transferred from Ashland to Ironton this season, and has made a major impact in the Tigers’ defensive success.

 The winner will also set itself up for a plethora of playoff points, particularly the Fighting Tigers, which are already the top-rated team in the unofficial Division V Region 19 computer ratings.

 Ironton’s average is 7.5667, with 14 Level 1 points and a whopping 29 precious Level 2 points.

 The Fighting Tigers, besides beating Wheelersburg and 2-1 Fairland, also own a 10-0 shutout over 3-1 Russell (Ky.).

 While Wheelersburg and Fairland are Division V with Russell being a Division IV equivalent, the Tomcats are the equivalent of an OHSAA Division III program.

 Ashland is the final non-league foe for the Fighting Tigers, which return to OVC action next week for the remainder of the regular season.
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2019
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OVC
2019
Ironton

Ironton vs Fairland

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Ashland KY vs Ironton

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Ironton

Ironton vs Portsmouth

Fighting Tigers on upset alert against Dragons

Ironton vs Fairland

By PAUL BOGGS

Photo’s by Kent Sanborn http://southernohiosportsphotos.com

 

You have to appreciate Melvin Cunningham’s candor.

Head Coach Melvin Cunningham

Current Team
Fairland
“Maybe I shouldn’t say this, but I can remember when I was playing football at Marshall. We go to the movies every Friday night, but we’re trying to sneak out and go watch Ironton play,” the Fairland fifth-year head football coach admitted. “It is what it is. If you are in this area, you know who the Ironton Fighting Tigers are, and now they are back to what the Ironton Fighting Tigers have been.”

 

 

Indeed, what tradition-rich Ironton is now is off to its first 2-0 start since 2012, but what it wants to be following Friday night is in first place in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Thus, the Fighting Tigers are on upset alert against the 2-0 Fairland Dragons, as Friday night’s matchup marks the OVC opener – and the early leg up on the remainder of the conference.

Kickoff inside historic Tanks Memorial Stadium, Ironton’s third consecutive home tilt to open 2019 in fact, is set for 7 p.m.

While both squads are 2-0, it’s Ironton’s opening reviews that are obviously drawing the majority of the attention.

And, for the second straight week, after holding a 3-0 halftime advantage thanks to an Avery Book field goal, the Fighting Tigers prevailed in the second half.

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While Wheelersburg (30-6 on Aug. 30) was a second-half rout, Ironton escaped with a 10-0 triumph over visiting Russell (Ky.) last week, as the solid Red Devils suffered their first loss of the season.

Head Coach Trevon Pendleton

Current Team
Ironton
Past Teams
Portsmouth West
“Anytime you beat two clubs that are of that high quality, it’s always good for your program,” said second-year Ironton coach Trevon Pendleton. “But on the flip side of that, I don’t believe we’ve played our best football yet. As coaches, we have to put our kids in the best positions to succeed, starting with me. We need to do a better job of that, especially me as an offensive coordinator. Our defense has played phenomenal, and these guys have a great understanding of leverage, getting many hats to the ball, just being in the right position to make plays.”

The game’s only other score occurred with just three minutes remaining – on a 45-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Gage Salyers to Reid Carrico, combined with Book’s extra-point kick.

#
7
Name
Gage Salyers
Position
2020
Height
6-01
Weight
205
Current Team
Ironton
Leagues
OVC, SEO
Seasons
2019
Salyers set up the touchdown by running for the first down on a fourth-down play, finding Carrico behind the defense and hitting him in stride at the 5-yard line.

While a Red Devil defensive back knocked the ball out of Carrico’s hands, it wasn’t until after he had already crossed the goal-line.

As the Red Devil defense keyed on the tailback Carrico, and limited Ironton to only 144 rushing yards on 37 carries, Salyers completed 9-of-16 passes for 157 yards – with Carrico catching four for 56.

But the true story of the second Fighting Tiger triumph was similar to its first – special teams and especially defense.

Russell had scored 88 points in its first two games, but against Ironton, anchored by standout senior defensive end Seth Fosson, the Red Devils punted five times and threw two interceptions – getting 67 of their 193 rushing yards on one play.

The Fighting Tigers, which allowed just 40 passing yards, also put together a key first-half goal-line stand.

This week, Ironton faces a Fairland squad that is recognized for its fast-paced spread offensive attack, utilizing its athleticism and getting the ball to its athletes in the open field.

“Fairland has very good athletes, a ton of speed, they like to get the ball out in space,” said Pendleton. “Defensively, we have to tackle in space, trying to get all 11 kids to the ball. We have to play with great effort above all else.”

The Dragons doubled up the Oak Hill Oaks 42-21 last week, scoring 21 consecutive points to stake a 35-7 advantage with nine minutes remaining.

Fairland found its footing with big plays – a Michael Stitt short interception return for a touchdown, a flea-flicker pass for a touchdown, a Stitt 68-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and two pass completions of 43 and 55 yards from quarterback Max Ward to wide receiver Gavin Hunt.

#
7
Name
Gavin Hunt
Position
2021
Height
6-00
Weight
150
Current Team
Fairland
Leagues
OVC, SEO
Seasons
2019, 2020

The Dragons defeated Tolsia (W. Va.) 34-12 in their season opener, as they have played the first two games without Reilly Sowards – their first-team Division IV all-Southeast District wide receiver from a year ago, who suffered a broken collarbone in the preseason.

But Ironton indeed is a different defensive animal, as evidenced by a 72-yard touchdown run by Wheelersburg’s Makya Matthews for its only points allowed all season.

The Dragons will need to make more big plays, and force the Fighting Tigers into defensive mistakes, if they are to have any amount of success on Friday.

Ironton – given the likes of Fosson, Nate Cochran and Junior Jones along the defensive line and Carrico and Dalton Crabtree at inside linebacker – is an iron wall on the interior.

Then throw in Salyers and Carrico and the fullback Fosson on the offensive side, and you have what Cunningham considers “the best team in the OVC”.

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He also praised Pendleton as “the best coach.”

“Best team in the conference. They have the best coaching staff and the best players. They are the best team in our conference and everyone knows it. They are what they are, and we’re just blessed to have an opportunity to go play them at ‘The Tank’. We’re going to prepare and go down there and play the best team on Friday night,” said Cunningham.

Cunningham continued by admitting it would be an upset for Fairland to emerge victorious.

However, the Dragons did just that two years ago, winning 27-21 to become the first Lawrence County club to defeat Ironton at Tanks Memorial Stadium since 1961.

“It was just two years ago that Fairland came down to the ‘Tank’ and beat Ironton. A lot of those kids that are seniors now played as sophomores then. So you know they are going to be amped up to come down and try and knock us off again,” said Pendleton. “We don’t overlook any opponent. We definitely are preparing for a good Fairland team to come down here ready to go.”

Ironton exacted revenge last season, winning in Proctorville 41-23.

So while the Dragons do have history on their side, they are facing THIS Ironton team that is chasing some history of its own.

The Fighting Tigers, since joining the OVC in 2015, are attempting to become the league’s first two-time champion – since the conference expanded to eight schools in 2016 to include Gallia Academy.

The league lost River Valley to the Tri-Valley Conference following the 2013 campaign, but quickly gained Gallia Academy for an even eight schools.

Ironton won the seven-team OVC four years ago (2015) and the eight-team group three years back (2016).

And, the Tigers are indeed the favorite for Friday night’s outcome.

“It would be an upset, I’m telling you it would be an upset. But we’ll be ready and we’ll be prepared to play. We don’t care who we’re playing, just put the ball down and see what happens,” said Cunningham. “We relish challenges and this will be no different.”

Upset or not, the winner will gain a leg up on the remainder of the OVC competition.

Both the Dragons (Waverly) and Fighting Tigers (at Ashland) take on non-league opponents in week four.

“Our OVC opener is early, but a win will give us a head start in the league race,” said Pendleton. “Our goal is to be 1-0 in league play and 3-0 overall after this week.”

 

Celebration of a century

This is the 100th season of Ironton football, and the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is set to honor the program’s history on Friday night at halftime.

 

Carrico commits to OSU

(Photo by Roger Trammell)

After 34 offers from Football Bowl Subdivision programs, Carrico – the Class of 2021’s top-rated inside linebacker in the country by 247Sports – has chosen to stay home.

That’s because Carrico – a six-foot three-inches tall and 225-pound junior – verbally committed to play college football for Ohio State on Tuesday.

He was the Buckeyes’ number-one linebacker target in all of Ohio.

Carrico reached his decision after speaking with Ohio State linebackers’ coach Al Washington on Sunday night.

“Reid is a very good football player, but more importantly he is a very mature and humble kid. His demeanor hasn’t changed at all,” said Pendleton. “He has been great throughout his entire recruiting process. We’re all very happy for him that he has made this decision and excited for him to have this opportunity.”

Carrico is actually a first-team all-Southeast District Division V running back from last season, and already has 42 carries for 190 yards and four touchdowns in the Fighting Tigers’ two games this year.

 

Prayers for Carpenter

Via Ironton Football Faceook: Please say a prayer for Tayden Carpenter and Family as Tayden was injured in practice tonight and admitted to Bellefonte Hospital where he will be having surgery tomorrow to repair the injury. God Bless him!

#ALLIN
#RTD
#Mission15
#4Strong

Fighting Tigers turn page to Red Devils

Fighting Tigers turn page to Red Devils

 

PAUL BOGGS

Photo by Kent Sanborn

 

IRONTON – Well, with Wheelersburg officially out of the way, welcome to another colossal contest for the Ironton Fighting Tigers.

 And, while this one certainly doesn’t have the hype of last week’s standing-room-only season-opener – or even the still ongoing debate over just how many tickets were sold and just how many fans filled Tanks Memorial Stadium in attendance – it’s just as important for Ironton.

That’s because the Fighting Tigers play host to the rival Russell (Ky.) Red Devils on Friday night, as kickoff inside Tanks Memorial Stadium is set for 7 p.m.

 Russell crosses the bridge with a 2-0 record, having rolled Mason County 49-13 in its season opener, before blanking and routing Raceland 41-0 in the Rail Cities Bowl on Saturday night.

 For the Fighting Tigers, although observers are deeming them the favorite to defeat the Red Devils, they are indeed on letdown alert after downing Wheelersburg for the first time in eight meetings.

 Ironton pulled away from the Pirates in the second half, turning a 3-0 halftime advantage into a 30-6 runaway win.

 The Fighting Tigers’ defense dominated, allowing only a 72-yard touchdown run by Pirate quarterback Makya Matthews in the third quarter – as he finished with 165 rushing yards before suffering a shoulder injury and leaving the game.

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 Ironton intercepted Matthews and his replacement Aaron Masters once apiece.

 Ironton, also often the beneficiary of short fields for its offense, allowed only 223 total yards to the Pirates.

 The Fighting Tigers took two kickoffs deep into Wheelersburg territory, one by Reid Carrico, who finished with 151 rushing yards and a hat trick of touchdowns on 26 attempts.

 Truth be told, the Fighting Tigers put a tremendous amount of energy and effort into defeating Wheelersburg, given their recent lack of success against the Pirates.

 Prior to Friday night, Ironton had last defeated their week-one rival in 2012 – when Mark Vass made his head coaching debut.

 It also snapped last season’s three-game losing streak to end the Orange and Black’s year at 6-5.

 This week, for second-year Ironton coach Trevon Pendleton and his assistants, it’s been about getting the Fighting Tigers to turn the page – and focus on a quality Russell squad.

 The Red Devils – the equivalent of a Division IV program in Ohio – are 2-0 for the first time in three years, following back-to-back campaigns of opening 0-3.

 The Red Devils’ spread attack is highlighted by a lot of length with some size, and also experience.

 Against Raceland, Russell running back Nathan Conley collected 139 yards on 19 attempts with two touchdowns, while Malakai Anderson added 62 yards and three TD on 16 totes.

 Russell rushed 53 times for 263 yards, as all but one of its six touchdowns came on short scoring runs of seven yards or less.

 Its quarterback, junior Charlie Jachimczuk, completed both of his pass attempts for 75 yards – one being a 33-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

 Similar to Ironton against Wheelersburg, the Red Devils’ defense and special teams played major roles against the Rams – along with an injury to the starting signal-caller.

 The Red Devils recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff, scored only a minute-and-a-half in, and knocked Raceland QB Jake Heighton out in the first quarter with a shoulder injury.

 Russell stymied Raceland to only 61 total yards after Heighton’s departure, as the Rams gained 59 yards on their first possession with him.

The Red Devils’ linebacking corps leads them defensively, as Ironton must establish Carrico – a regular key for the Fighting Tigers’ success.

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 Most of the Fighting Tigers – including Carrico – return from last season’s matchup, which was a 16-7 Ironton triumph which gave Pendleton his first career coaching victory.

 Carrico certainly was the star of last year’s tilt, posting two big scoring plays after Ironton trailed 7-2.

 He blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown to give Ironton the lead, then turned a Russell lost fumble at the Ironton 20-yard line into a 74-yard scamper sealing the win.

 The Fighting Tigers are 8-2 over the last decade against the Red Devils, with their only losses being close defensive encounters (18-14 in 2015 and 13-6 in 2016) four and three years ago.

 The greater focus for this week, though, is Ironton’s emotional level coming off such an important victory.

 It can easily be argued that the win over Wheelersburg was the biggest for the Tigers since the last time they defeated the Pirates.

But this too, however, is yet another colossal contest.

 If Ironton earns a victory on Friday, it will pick up precious playoff points (Level 2) for every win the Red Devils get going forward.

 That’s because Russell is projected to have a strong season as well – in addition to being the equivalent of one division larger than Ironton (Division V).

 Another even larger Kentucky opponent, undefeated archrival Ashland (2-0), is awaiting Ironton in two weeks (Sept. 20).

 The Tomcats are the equivalent of an OHSAA Division III program.

 But, with Wheelersburg now in the rear-view mirror, the first focus is on defeating the Red Devils.

DateHomeResultsAwayArticle

Pirates, Fighting Tigers ready for another epic battle

Pirates, Fighting Tigers ready for another epic battle

 

By PAUL BOGGS

Photo’s by Kent Sanborn & Tim Gearhart

 

When there’s almost 40 pages of Internet message board chatter, and it’s still 48 hours from kickoff, then you REALLY have one hyped-up football game.

Such is the case for Friday night’s 2019 lid-lifter between the Wheelersburg Pirates and Ironton Fighting Tigers, which once again renew their annual season-opening rivalry.

And, while Wheelersburg’s winningest senior class in school history has graduated, Ironton’s optimism is indeed high that its highly-touted and talented team is primed to snap the Fighting Tigers’ eight-game losing streak to the Pirates.

Still, the Pirates – with a roster of 69 strong – are reloading for what could be another strong season for them.

The winner will obviously be off to a great start, as kickoff inside what should be an overflow and electric Tanks Memorial Stadium in Ironton is set for 7 p.m.

Wheelersburg enters off six consecutive seasons of no worse than as a regional runner-up, including the Division V state championship two years ago and the Division V state semifinals last year.

Those six straight seasons coincide with a victory over Ironton, including a pair of 38-7 routs in the 2014 and 2015 playoffs for eight total triumphs.

In addition, Ironton has only averaged 7.875 points against the Pirates in those eight matchups, including a touchdown or less in the last six.

The Fighting Tigers took the previous four meetings (2009 thru 2012) before that, as Ironton actually leads the all-time series 17-13.

The two tradition-rich and proud programs have opened their seasons against each other every year for the past two decades.

For the Fighting Tigers, amid much ballyhoo in head coach Trevon Pendleton’s second season, it’s an excellent opportunity to not only narrow what has become a growing gap on the scoreboard with the Pirates, but capture what would arguably be the program’s most important victory in recent memory.

“We know all about Wheelersburg and what their kids have accomplished, especially that senior class that just graduated,” said Pendleton. 

Head Coach Trevon Pendleton

Current Team
Ironton
Past Teams
Portsmouth West
“They’ve been an unbelievably strong program and are always well-coached. These kids have played a lot of snaps against them the last few years and they know what’s at stake this time around. We are going to work hard, not let Wheelersburg outwork us, and put ourselves in position to win the game.”

The Fighting Tigers are actually returning more overall experience than the Pirates, including their entire starting backfield, which has attracted interest from several colleges.

All three are returning first-team all-Southeast District selections from a year ago – senior Gage Salyers (6-1, 205) at quarterback, junior Reid Carrico at tailback (6-3, 225) and senior Seth Fosson (6-1, 235) at fullback.

 

Salyers has verbally committed to Youngstown State, but it’s Carrico collecting offers from most of the major college football factories in the country.

The 16-year-old’s list of pursuers includes Ohio State, Notre Dame, Clemson, Alabama, Texas, Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin, Ohio, Kentucky and Marshall.

As a linebacker, he is listed as the 11th-best by Rivals and 34th nationally, including first in Ohio.

#
28
Name
Reid Carrico
Position
2021
Height
6-03
Weight
225
Current Team
Ironton
Leagues
OVC, SEO
Seasons
2019, 2020
Carrico is the third-highest rated overall prospect in the Buckeye State by 247Sports.

“Ironton is a rivalry game and we certainly uphold with respect any rivalry game that we have,” said Wheelersburg coach Rob Woodard. “Games like this and players like whom Ironton has make us take the talent that we have and challenge it.”

The Pirates are entering this rivalry affair with a newer cast of characters, but the coach said his club is doing what needs done to carry on the Wheelersburg banner.

Head Coach Rob Woodard

Current Team
Wheelersburg
“I’ve been really pleased with the senior class leadership that we’ve had,” said Woodward, entering his 12th year heading up the Pirates. “They continue to do what they can do and have the ability to do, and that is be competitive and strong and fast and have themselves ready to go out and play the game of football. We’ve got some holes to fill, but one thing our assistant coaches do such a great job of is developing players.”

One of those holes is replacing the quarterback position, as Trent Salyers graduated as a two-time first-team Division V all-Ohio signal caller.

Salyers is either first or second in several Wheelersburg offensive records, including second in career total yards (6,945) and touchdowns (82) – and first in career passing yards (6,219), career passing touchdowns (66) and career pass completions (376-of-590 for 63.7-percent completion rating).

“Our offense is one that allows us to place an athlete at quarterback, and decide whether we want to be more of a power team or more elusive in terms of misdirection or spread. It’s a multiple-formation, multiple-style offense,” said Woodward. “We can really adapt to what we have.”

This season, there are four quarterbacks listed on the roster, while Woodward said five have worked out under center in preseason camp, including senior Makya Matthews (5-9, 175, Sr.).

Matthews is a first-team all-district all-purpose performer, and first-team all-Ohio wide receiver.

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Name

“Makya (Matthews) is such a versatile running back, but he understands the offense where we can put him at quarterback and make our team that much more successful,” said Woodward. “He is absolutely electric offensively, and is that guy that can take it to the house at any time. Defensively, he is lights out breaking on the ball. Special teams, he is lights out when he fields a good punt or kickoff. He makes that big play, whether it is running, receiving or returning, but his private discipline is unmatched.”

The Pirates’ third all-Ohio first-teamer from last season – linebacker Evan Dahm – also graduated, along with second-team all-staters Tanner Holden (wide receiver) and Baylen Haywood (offensive lineman).

In last season’s state semifinal against Johnstown-Monroe, which the Pirates lost 32-14 and only scored on the second play from scrimmage and again late in the game, the Johnnies succeeded by being physical up front – and dominated Wheelersburg with running the ball right at them.

Look for the Fighting Tigers to try and play physical as well, with Fosson – a first-team all-district end – anchoring Ironton’s defense.

Ironton did graduate linebacker Ethan Duncan, who shared the Southeast District Division V Defensive Player of the Year award with Dahm.

Regardless of the outcome, one of two streaks will in fact continue for the Pirates.

Wheelersburg will win its ninth consecutive contest against Ironton, or will lose its second straight game overall – such a streak that last occurred in 2011, when Wheelersburg went 7-3, lost its final two games and last failed to qualify for the playoffs.

That streak stretched to three thanks to the Tigers’ triumph in the 2012 season opener – Ironton’s most recent victory over the Pirates.

 

Fighting Tigers’ talent, depth highlight high hopes

Fighting Tigers’ talent, depth highlight high hopes

 

By PAUL BOGGS

photos by Kent Sanborn

IRONTON – Trevon Pendleton probably predicts a smoother second season as head coach of the Ironton Fighting Tigers.

With high numbers, immense depth, overall experience and just good pure wholesome talent, that prediction – on the surface anyway – is more of a no-brainer.

It’s easy to have another optimistic outlook for the Fighting Tigers, which sport a roster of nearly 70 – and are anticipated strong challengers for the Ohio Valley Conference championship, and another Division V state playoff appearance.

“Honestly, the strength of our team is our depth. We’re going deep at every position right now. We’re rotating about eight or nine deep on the offensive line. Defensively, we’re rotating guys at a lot of different positions. We’ve got a lot of competition among ourselves and it’s making all our kids better,” said Pendleton. “We started a lot of guys last year, probably in the low 20s who started at least one game for us and are back this year. A lot of young guys grew up and developed and gained a lot of valuable experience. That is going to be beneficial for us this season.”

Pendleton, the former Portsmouth West and Michigan State standout which begins his second season in Ironton, said it’s been an easier transition from his first year to now.

“Things have gone much smoother this year. The first year, the kids are trying to figure you out and you are trying to figure out the kids. This year, it’s different, but now we know what to expect as a staff and the kids know what to expect from us,” he said. “Our approaches are different, whether it’s the weight-room, film study, our practices, our preparation, our mental approach. Everything is just better and just easier now that we have a year under our belts.”

It needs to be easier, too, given the annual expectations surrounding the tradition-rich Fighting Tiger program.

“The expectations are always high here. When you’ve got a program like this and the guys who come before you had success the way they had, it keeps the standards very high,” said Pendleton.“Our expectations as a team are always the same. We’re going to go out and try to win every football game. We’re going to compete until the final whistle. We always have the expectations that no one is going to outwork us. We are going to give great effort every game, win or lose. We are going to show up and work hard and feel confident going into every Friday night.”

The Fighting Tigers finished 6-5 last season, but struggled down the stretch in losing their final three games to finish second in the OVC – combined with a narrow 15-7 Region 19 quarterfinal playoff loss at Division V state runner-up Johnstown-Monroe.

Pendleton explained the growing pains of his first season in coaching, and why those same pains appear alleviated this fall.

“Last year was a learning experience for all of us. The players and coaching staff both. We won some games and lost some games, we learned lessons on what we can do better, but we did make the playoffs. That said, we believe we are better this year, just knowing each other better and what everybody expects from everybody else,” he said. “That’s going to really help us going into this year.”

It helps, too, to have Ironton’s experience and depth up front.

Four of five starters return along the offensive line – minus first-team all-Southeast District Division V first-teamer Brady Rowe.

Rocky White will return at center (5-11, 235, jr.), with Riley Boggs (6-2, 260, sr.) back at one guard.

Pendleton said his lines go about eight or even nine men deep, with returning starter Caden McFann (5-11, 250, sr.) able to play either guard or tackle.

The other tackle is six-foot five-inch 310-pound senior Noah Davidson, a two-year starter at Raceland (Ky.) who transferred across the Ohio River.

Others expected to see snaps along the line are seniors Hunter Eaches (5-10, 245) and Nolan Schreck (6-0, 230), juniors Matthew Davis (6-0, 210) and Chase Stevens (5-11, 210) and sophomores Nate Cochran (6-2, 250) and Ryan Cecil (6-1, 270).

Those linemen will be blocking for a talented trio of experienced backs – senior quarterback Gage Salyers (6-1, 205), senior fullback Seth Fosson (6-1, 235) and junior tailback Reid Carrico (6-3, 225).

#
7
Name
Gage Salyers
Position
2020
Height
6-01
Weight
205
Current Team
Ironton
Leagues
OVC, SEO
Seasons
2019

All three are returning first-team all-district selections from a year ago – Salyers at quarterback combined with Carrico at running back and Fosson for a defensive end.

Salyers has verbally committed to Youngstown State, but it’s Carrico collecting offers from most of the major college football factories in the country.

The 16-year-old’s list of pursuers includes Ohio State, Notre Dame, Clemson, Alabama, Texas, Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin, Ohio, Kentucky and Marshall.

#
28
Name
Reid Carrico
Position
2021
Height
6-03
Weight
225
Current Team
Ironton
Leagues
OVC, SEO
Seasons
2019, 2020

As a linebacker, he is listed as the 11th-best by Rivals and 34th nationally, including first in Ohio.

Carrico is the third-highest rated overall prospect in the Buckeye State by 247Sports.

He rushed for 1,256 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, averaging 6.6 yards per carry, while catching nine passes for 120 yards.

Pendleton said Carrico has handled himself well, given his impressive offseason courtship by colleges.

But, of course, Ironton is far from all about Carrico.

Consider Salyers still is receiving interest from colleges, as is Fosson, including some Division I schools.

Last year, Salyers completed 61-of-123 passes for 917 yards and a dozen touchdowns, throwing only three interceptions in the process.

He also rushed 101 times for 531 yards and eight scores.

The fullback Fosson is a two-time all-district honoree, including as a running back as a sophomore, as he also earned third-team all-Ohio in that campaign.

Pendleton praised his highly-touted backfield as a perfect mesh of size, strength and speed.

“Those are three good experienced varsity players to have in the same backfield. Highly-talented guys and three possible Division-I athletes. All three know what to do with the ball when they have it, they block well for each other, they run well, and all three are humble kids. They just want to win football games,” said the coach.

Junior Jones, a six-foot, 240-pound senior, transferred in from arch-rival Ashland (Ky.) and will back up Fosson – along with fellow senior Beau Brownstead (6-0, 220).

Carrico’s primary backup is sophomore Kameron Browning.

The tight ends include Brownstead, fellow senior Bryce Munion (5-9, 150) and sophomore Ashton Duncan (6-2, 205), while wide receivers include seniors Jordan Grizzle and Colin Freeman and juniors Trent Hacker and Kyle Howell.

Grizzle and Hacker are returning starters, while Howell transfers in from Portsmouth West.

Ironton’s offense under Pendleton is evolving into more multiple looks, moving away from the days of its traditional full-house.

So too is its defense, which was a solid 5-2 front for many years, but now operates out of a 3-4 base.

Fosson anchors the front at the strong side end, while Jones – primarily a defensive stalwart at Ashland – will play the other end or more likely nose guard.

Gunnar Crawford (5-10, 225, jr.) is the likely end opposite Fosson, while Cochran and Cecil can play nose.

With the graduation of Division V Southeast District co-Defensive Player of the Year and first-team all-Ohioan Ethan Duncan, Carrico moves to inside linebacker – along with Brownstead, Crawford or six-foot, 200-pound junior Dylan Carpenter.

Fellow junior Cameron Deere (5-11, 185) returns at outside linebacker, with the others including Munion, Duncan or junior Dalton Crabtree (6-0, 200).

The secondary returns three starters – Salyers and Grizzle at the safeties and Freeman at one corner.

The other corner will be Browning or Howell.

Similar to the offense, the Fighting Tigers’ defense sports a plethora of experience, talent and depth.

But most importantly perhaps, Pendleton maintains the defensive motto that “nobody is going to outwork us.”

“We want to be aggressive on defense and make plays, but we want to do so under control and limit our mistakes,” he said. “These are high school kids and they are going to make mistakes, but we want to give our best effort on every snap. Penalties are part of the game and we want to limit those, but do so giving our best effort on every play. There are going to be missed assignments and missed tackles, just like turnovers or missed blocks on offense, but we try to limit our mistakes. When you give all-out effort on every play, you cut down on unforced errors.”

While Duncan did the punting last season, Ironton’s depth also extends to three potential placekickers, including Avery Book.

Book, who can also punt, is battling Ironton St. Joseph attendees Izsac Unger and Michael Mahlmeister.

Indeed, Ironton needs all of its weapons at its disposal, given the depth of the OVC – which proceeds its brutal three-game non-league schedule starting with Wheelersburg.

Wheelersburg enters Tanks Memorial Stadium on Friday (Aug. 30) for the annual season opener – and off six consecutive seasons of no worse than earning a regional runner-up.

Those six straight seasons coincide with a victory over Ironton.

The Fighting Tigers then take on Russell and Ashland from Kentucky – in addition to the OVC slate.

Gallia Academy is the defending league champion, although Ironton is observed as its most immediate challenger.

While rugged defines the schedule, the expectations are that things – perhaps predictability – will go much smoother in Pendleton’s second season.

The real no-brainer, of course, is that hopes are high and another solid year is in store.

Head Coach Trevon Pendleton

Current Team
Ironton
Past Teams
Portsmouth West

“Expectations are always high, but we have some good athletes here that are going to go battle for 48 minutes and give it everything they have in every game,” said Pendleton. “When you give great effort, everything else takes care of itself, including winning. We do have a very difficult schedule, but that will only make us better with every week.”

Ironton 2019 Roster & Stats

#PlayerPositionHeightWeightCMPATTINTPYDSTDATTRUYDSTDRECREYDSTDSacksTacklesINTFGMFGA
2Junior Jones20206-0024000000592110000000
2Trevor Carter20236-011850000023232400000000
5Will York20215-111700000000000000000
6Caleb Murphy20226-0217500000223000000000
7Gage Salyers20206-0120576158515781713287213126000000
8Beau Brownstead20206-0022000000617000000000
8Aiden Young 20235-061300000000000000000
9Jacob Sloan20226-001800000013000000000
10Trent Hacker20216-021750000000010228200000
10Tayden Carpenter20235-1117514090413000000000
12Avery Book20205-111800000029000000000
13Kayden Sherril20215-111500000000000000000
15Landon Wilson20235-081400000000000000000
18Braxton Pringle20226-011750000000019000000
20Kyle Howell20215-101701402601267015214200000
21Richard Thompson20205-101800000000000000000
22Brent Gist20225-091700000000000000000
22C.J. Martin20235-081450000000000000000
24Ashton Duncan20226-022050000000010134000000
25Colin Freeman20206-00170000000007188300000
26Isaac Fisher20215-101600000000000000000
27Terrell Mize20235-09145000001-6000000000
28Reid Carrico20216-032250100020815812317393400000
29Jordan Grizzle20205-1019000000444012375400000
30Cameron Deere20215-1118500000433012121000000
31Kameron Browning20225-111700000020135200000000
32Lincoln Barnes20235-111600000000000000000
33Dalton Crabtree20215-101900000015000000000
33DeAngelo Weekly20235-101750000016000000000
36Gunnar Crawford20215-1022500000315016000000
37Uriah Meadows20215-051450000000000000000
40Cole Freeman20235-081500000000000000000
44Seth Fosson20206-012350000057391600000000
45Dylan Carpenter20216-002000000000000000000
46Blake Murrell20225-112000000000000000000
50Ashton Silva  20215-092000000000000000000
51Owen Ison20215-111900000000000000000
52Matthew Davis20216-002100000000000000000
54Ryan McClain20215-112500000000000000000
55Hunter Eaches20205-102450000000000000000
56Jacquin Young20205-081800000000000000000
57Caden McFann20205-112500000000000000000
60Miles Thomas20235-111800000000000000000
61Chase Stevens20215-112100000000000000000
62Evan Wilds20225-101800000000000000000
63Rocky White20215-112350000000000000000
64Nolan Schreck20206-002300000000000000000
64Tanner Moore20235-112250000000000000000
65Lucas White20205-112200000000000000000
66Hunter Moore20235-112150000000000000000
68Ben Taylor20235-112050000000000000000
70Riley Boggs20226-022600000000000000000
71Landon Waddle20225-112000000000000000000
71Anthony Kirk 20235-112000000000000000000
72Derek Neal20235-112250000000000000000
74Hayden Harmon20216-002500000000000000000
75C.J. McCall20226-013100000000000000000
76Nate Cochran20226-022500000000000000000
77Caleb Brown20235-102000000000000000000
78Ryan Cecil20226-012700000000000000000
79Noah Davidson20206-053150000000000000000
82Izsac Unger20205-101550000000000000000
83Eli Carter2023--0000000000000000
85Bryce Munion20205-091500000000000000000
88Michael Mahlmeister20226-011750000000000000000
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Also see

Ironton Roster & Schedule

Ironton vs wheelersburg 2019

2019 Ironton Tigers Outlook