{"id":5194,"date":"2019-11-28T08:15:06","date_gmt":"2019-11-28T13:15:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seohiopreps.com\/football\/?p=5194"},"modified":"2019-11-28T08:31:17","modified_gmt":"2019-11-28T13:31:17","slug":"final-four-fighting-tigers-face-roughriders-in-state-semi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seohiopreps.com\/football\/final-four-fighting-tigers-face-roughriders-in-state-semi\/","title":{"rendered":"Final Four, Fighting Tigers face Roughriders in state semi"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ironton in D-5’s Final 4
\nFighting Tigers face Roughriders in state semi<\/p>\n

By Paul Boggs<\/p>\n

Photos by Kent Sanborn<\/p>\n

\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\"\"\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

\n\t\t\tIronton vs West Jefferson<\/a>\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t

IRONTON \u2014 Once again, although for the first time in two decades, the Ironton Fighting Tigers \u2014 yes that famed Fighting Tiger Orange and Black \u2014 are practicing football on Black Friday.<\/p>\n

But to them, there\u2019s only one ultimate early Christmas gift.<\/p>\n

That is the Fighting Tigers still playing actual, and official, Ohio High School Athletic Association football games on the final day of November \u2014 and into December.<\/p>\n

One of those goals in Ironton\u2019s ultimate mission has been met \u2014 that being the Fighting Tigers captured their first regional championship in the sport since 1999.<\/p>\n

The other, of course, can be accomplished and checked off the \u201crain-bucket\u201d list on Saturday night \u2014 when Ironton (12-1) and the fellow 12-1 West Jefferson Roughriders square off in one of two Division V state semifinals, which is set for a 7 p.m. kickoff inside Herrnstein Field in Chillicothe.<\/p>\n

Ironton \u2014 after its 24-14 victory over previously-undefeated Ridgewood \u2014 is the Region 19 champion, while West Jefferson \u2014 after avenging its only loss of the season \u2014 is the champion of Region 20.<\/p>\n

For the Fighting Tigers (48-32 all-time in playoffs), a win over the Roughriders means their first appearance in a state championship game since 1999 \u2014 and their would-be ninth overall as they have two titles in 1979 and 1989.<\/p>\n

The Fighting Tigers-Roughriders winner will meet the winner of the other Division V state semifinal \u2014 which features a battle of undefeateds in Oak Harbor (13-0) and Kirtland (13-0).<\/p>\n

[the_ad id=”2695″]<\/div>\n

While that semi in Strongsville occupies the attention of northern Ohio, all eyes of the Southeast and Central Districts in Division V will be on Chillicothe \u2014 and two of the most proud and tradition-rich programs in all of the Buckeye State.<\/p>\n

In an interview on Tuesday, at historic Tanks Memorial Stadium in Ironton, second-year Fighting Tiger coach Trevon Pendleton summarized his club\u2019s journey to the Final Four.<\/p>\n

Only a 16-10 overtime loss at arch-rival Ashland has prevented a perfect season, but Ironton opened by rolling rival Wheelersburg and defeating the Pirates for the first time since 2012 \u2014 a stretch that included two playoff tilts.<\/p>\n

[the_ad id=”2695″]<\/p>\n

The Fighting Tigers tore through the Ohio Valley Conference, then won over Wellston (Region 19 quarterfinals), Amanda-Clearcreek (Region 19 semifinals) and Ridgewood (Region 19 finals) en route to this state semi.<\/p>\n

Pendleton, prior to Tuesday\u2019s practice and two days prior to Thanksgiving Day, was a man counting his blessings.<\/p>\n

\t

Head Coach<\/strong> Trevon Pendleton<\/h3>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\"\"\t<\/div>\n\t
\n\t
Current Team<\/dt>
Ironton<\/a><\/dd>
Past Teams<\/dt>
Portsmouth West<\/a><\/dd><\/dl><\/div><\/div>\n
<\/dl><\/div><\/div><\/div> \u201cIt sounds like a year\u2019s worth of hard work,\u201d he said. \u201cOur kids, going all the way back to the off-season, have put in the time and effort to make this dream of theirs become a reality. We\u2019re truly thankful for all the work our kids have put in. Our coaching staff puts in long hours, and I know I say this every week, but I am so thankful for all of my assistants. We\u2019re 14 weeks into this thing now, and our kids are still loving and wanting to play football as if it\u2019s week one. It\u2019s refreshing to see a group of kids come through like this. It starts with our team leadership and just trickles right down throughout the entire team. It\u2019s exciting, our kids are really enjoying the moment and it\u2019s a special group to be a part of.\u201d<\/p>\n
[the_ad id=”2695″]<\/div>\n

Speaking of special groups, the Fighting Tiger first-team defense has allowed only 83 points all season, surrendered more than one touchdown in a game only three times, and grounded Ridgewood to only 225 total yards and 14 points.<\/p>\n

As guessed, those were season-lows for the Generals, given they averaged almost 50 points and 450 yards per game prior to the regional final. Spearheaded by its talented and highly-touted line putting pressure on General quarterback Gabe Tingle, the East District Co-Offensive Player of the Year, the Tigers\u2019 defense only allowed 145 yards of total offense \u2014 after Ridgewood scored on its opening series.<\/p>\n

\u201cIronton is very good, especially defensively. Exceptional actually. They are extremely physical and the best thing they do is run to the football,\u201d said West Jefferson coach Shawn Buescher. \u201cI\u2019m very impressed with their front. They get after the ball. They are relentless in their pursuit. Their linebackers seem to be very good. Their back half of the defense does an excellent job in the passing game, so they are everything you\u2019d think they\u2019d be in a great defense.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pendleton praised his defense \u2014 anchored by the Southeast District Division V Defensive Player of the Year in inside linebacker Reid Carrico, who has verbally committed to Ohio State.<\/p>\n

He and fellow junior linebacker Cameron Deere were first-team all-Southeast District defensive players, as were senior linemen Seth Fosson (end) and Junior Jones (tackle).<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

[the_ad id=”2695″]<\/p>\n

Ironton is allowing an average of only 108 rushing yards per game, and an even better 76 yards passing per game.
\nThe Fighting Tigers have 15 interceptions, paced by safety Gage Salyers with four \u2014 as Salyers is a first-team all-district quarterback who was also strongly considered for that list as a defensive back.<\/p>\n

Include the likes of junior ends Gunnar Crawford and Dalton Crabtree, defensive tackle Nate Cochran, and senior cover corners Collin Freeman and Jordan Grizzle \u2014 and Ironton offers an iron wall against its opponents.<\/p>\n

The Generals presented the toughest test to the Fighting Tigers to date, and Ironton almost aced that exam with close to flying colors.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s about being physical, but also being aggressive but disciplined, and everyone understanding leverage and where they fit it and getting multiple hats to the football,\u201d said Pendleton. \u201cLast week, we did a very good job of being disciplined and aggressive. It was a testament to the many hours we spend in the film room. Then understanding who we are playing and what we like to take away.\u201d<\/p>\n

What West Jefferson will do, said Pendleton \u2014 despite Buescher\u2019s son and sophomore quarterback Tyler Buescher (5-11, 150 pounds) throwing for 32 touchdowns and 2,635 yards on 145-of-196 passing for a 74-percent completion rate \u2014 is run the ball.<\/p>\n

[the_ad id=”2695″]<\/div>\n

The Fighting Tigers have yet to see an offensive line of the Roughriders\u2019 size, as West Jefferson sports five seniors up front \u2014 with only left tackle Josh Hart (6-2, 250) not weighing at least 285-to-290 pounds.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe start five seniors on the offensive line, and we\u2019ve been very good up front which allows us to run the football at a high level,\u201d said Coach Buescher. \u201cWe\u2019ve been most successful in our playoff run here because we\u2019ve been able to run behind our offensive line.\u201d
\nCarrying the football has been 5-11, 175-pound senior running back Gabe Jones \u2014 who has amassed an eye-popping and jaw-dropping 2,606 yards and 39 touchdowns on 246 carries.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s good for almost 11 (10.6) yards per carry, as Jones \u2014 with a massive 287 yards and five touchdowns on a hefty 29 attempts \u2014 and the Roughriders ran roughshod over West Liberty-Salem in the Region 20 final.<\/p>\n

West Jefferson pitched a 34-0 blowout shutout in that regional championship, and avenged its only defeat\u2014 a 42-39 shootout loss at West Liberty-Salem on Oct. 18.<\/p>\n

Jones also has 21 receptions and six scores for 445 yards out of the backfield, as the Roughriders\u2019 receiving leaders are juniors Tyler Oberle (5-10, 160) and Kyle Scott (5-10, 150).<\/p>\n

Both Oberle and Scott have 38 receptions apiece, as Oberle has 911 yards with 11 TDs \u2014 while Scott has 602 yards and six trips to paydirt.
\nPendleton said when West Jefferson does throw the ball, it\u2019s a vertical style.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey go some spread, but they will go double wings and try to give you a six-man or seven-man surface up front. They like to remove people out of the box, depending on what coverage they are getting. They like to run the ball and get numbers at the point of attack and use their size to their advantage,\u201d said the coach. \u201cThey are very big up front and they like to hang their hat on running the ball. The quarterback is the coach\u2019s son and is definitely a capable thrower. He is very good at play-action and when they throw, they like to take deep shots downfield. They try to take the lid off the coverage. We have to play disciplined and aggressive and it\u2019s another offense that you have to stop before they can get started.\u201d<\/p>\n

[the_ad id=”2695″]
\nThe coach said the same thing about Ridgewood\u2019s offense, but said West Jefferson focuses first on running the ball \u2014 whereas Ridgewood relies more on its passing attack.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s completely different (from Ridgewood). They are not a team that wants to go out and throw the ball all over the yard. They like to run the ball and run the ball downhill. Not so much East and West running as opposed to North and South,\u201d said Pendleton. \u201cThey are good up front, they have a very good back in the (Gabe) Jones kid, and they have some playmakers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both coaches also said certain downs must be won \u2014 with Pendleton pointing to first down while Buescher said the third-down battle is paramount.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur number-one key is winning on first down and getting them into second-and-long, not second-and-manageable. If we can accomplish that and get them off-track in their play-calling and what they want to do, I think we\u2019re gonna have success,\u201d said Pendleton.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t give a team like Ironton, that does a great job in the run game with several running backs that run hard and can change at the line of scrimmage so well, any extra possessions or snaps,\u201d said Buescher. \u201cWe have to win third down and get off the field defensively and get our offense back out there. When we face third down, we need to convert and keep the ball. We have to take care of the football first, but keeping it and picking up first downs on third downs is going to be crucial in this game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Buescher knows a thing or two about winning, as he has been at West Jefferson for 18 seasons \u2014 having completely turned around and rebuilt the program into a stronghold after it fell on hard times in the 1990s.<\/p>\n

He hails from Wellston originally and graduated from the University of Rio Grande, after transferring to Westfall as a senior \u2014 when Wellston was forced to resort to its infamous \u201cpay-to-participate\u201d football season of 1991.<\/p>\n

He served as an assistant at Oak Hill, Chillicothe and Wellston \u2014 before taking over at West Jefferson in 2002.<\/p>\n

The rest, as they say, is history \u2014 with the Roughriders winning eight conference championships and qualifying for the state playoffs 10 times.<\/p>\n

Buescher is 138-71 in his 18 seasons so far, as his Roughriders from Madison County have seven regional runner-ups \u2014 and one other regional championship in 2013.<\/p>\n

While Ironton now owns a dozen regional championships, the Region 20 title was West Jefferson\u2019s fifth all-time (1976, 1977, 1982 and 2013)\u2014 as the Roughriders are in the playoffs for the 22nd campaign, with a record of 26-19.<\/p>\n

The Roughriders also own two state titles \u2014 in 1976 and 1982.<\/p>\n

Buescher has never faced Ironton, at any level, before Saturday night.<\/p>\n

However, he holds the Fighting Tiger program and all of its rich history in the highest of regards.
\nThe state playoffs are obviously overly-familiar for the Fighting Tigers, as their now 35 all-time appearances are tied for second-most in OHSAA history with Cincinnati Moeller.<\/p>\n

Only Newark Catholic, with 36 including this year, leads Moeller and Ironton.<\/p>\n

The meeting marks the first-ever between the Fighting Tigers and Roughriders.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are excited about competing against Ironton,\u201d said Buescher. \u201cTheir program has so much history, has been the most visible program in Southeastern Ohio for a long time. I have a lot of respect for that program and what they have done. I\u2019m sure their kids are excited and their staff is excited. We\u2019re hoping to put our best foot forward. It should be an exciting night for both communities.\u201d
\nThere\u2019s no doubt about that, but both teams do want to win \u2014 and advance to the state championship game on Saturday, Dec. 7 in Canton.
\nThat said, the Fighting Tigers were still practicing football on Black Friday \u2014 with the aim of winning on the final day of November and still playing actual, and official, football the opening week of December.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe later in the season you are playing, the higher the stakes are getting. When you are playing for championships and a chance to do something special that not a lot of people are getting to do, it\u2019s something we\u2019re definitely not taking for granted,\u201d said Pendleton. \u201cWe know how hard it is to get here, and there are a lot of great teams out there not playing football right now. We\u2019re not taking it for granted, but we\u2019re definitely not satisfied either. You feel the energy in the town and in the kids, and they are excited to be here, but as I tell them each week the mission isn\u2019t accomplished. We\u2019re going to keep showing up here to work and keep after it. We\u2019re still attacking this thing each and every day, and our goals aren\u2019t complete yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t

2019 Ironton Football Results<\/h4>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
Date<\/th>Home<\/th>Results<\/th>Away<\/th>Field<\/th>Article<\/th>\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t<\/thead>\n\t\t\t
2019-08-30 19:00:00<\/date>August 30, 2019<\/a><\/td>Ironton \"\"<\/span><\/a><\/td>30 - 6<\/a><\/td>\"\"<\/span> Wheelersburg<\/a><\/td>
N\/A<\/div><\/td>
Recap<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2019-09-06 19:00:00<\/date>September 6, 2019<\/a><\/td>Ironton \"\"<\/span><\/a><\/td>10 - 0<\/a><\/td>Russell (KY)<\/a><\/td>
N\/A<\/div><\/td>
Recap<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2019-09-13 19:00:00<\/date>September 13, 2019<\/a><\/td>Ironton \"\"<\/span><\/a><\/td>49 - 7<\/a><\/td>\"\"<\/span> Fairland<\/a><\/td>
N\/A<\/div><\/td>
Recap<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2019-09-20 19:00:00<\/date>September 20, 2019<\/a><\/td>Ashland KY<\/a><\/td>16 - 10<\/a><\/td>\"\"<\/span> Ironton<\/a><\/td>
N\/A<\/div><\/td>
Recap<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2019-09-27 19:00:00<\/date>September 27, 2019<\/a><\/td>South Point \"\"<\/span><\/a><\/td>2 - 38<\/a><\/td>\"\"<\/span> Ironton<\/a><\/td>
N\/A<\/div><\/td>
Recap<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2019-10-04 19:00:00<\/date>October 4, 2019<\/a><\/td>Chesapeake \"\"<\/span><\/a><\/td>6 - 50<\/a><\/td>\"\"<\/span> Ironton<\/a><\/td>
N\/A<\/div><\/td>
Recap<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2019-10-11 19:00:00<\/date>October 11, 2019<\/a><\/td>Ironton \"\"<\/span><\/a><\/td>46 - 0<\/a><\/td>\"\"<\/span> Rock Hill<\/a><\/td>
N\/A<\/div><\/td>
Recap<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2019-10-18 19:00:00<\/date>October 18, 2019<\/a><\/td>Coal Grove \"\"<\/span><\/a><\/td>12 - 49<\/a><\/td>\"\"<\/span> Ironton<\/a><\/td>
N\/A<\/div><\/td>
Recap<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2019-10-25 19:00:00<\/date>October 25, 2019<\/a><\/td>Gallia Academy \"\"<\/span><\/a><\/td>0 - 52<\/a><\/td>\"\"<\/span> Ironton<\/a><\/td>
N\/A<\/div><\/td>
Recap<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2019-11-01 19:00:00<\/date>November 1, 2019<\/a><\/td>Ironton \"\"<\/span><\/a><\/td>48 - 7<\/a><\/td>\"\"<\/span> Portsmouth<\/a><\/td>
N\/A<\/div><\/td>
<\/div>Recap<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2019-11-09 19:00:48<\/date>November 9, 2019<\/a><\/td>Ironton \"\"<\/span><\/a><\/td>56 - 6<\/a><\/td>\"\"<\/span> Wellston<\/a><\/td>
N\/A<\/div><\/td>
Recap<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2019-11-16 19:00:02<\/date>November 16, 2019<\/a><\/td>Ironton \"\"<\/span><\/a><\/td>31 - 7<\/a><\/td>\"\"<\/span> Amanda-Clearcreek<\/a><\/td>
N\/A<\/div><\/td>
Recap<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2019-11-23 19:00:55<\/date>November 23, 2019<\/a><\/td>Ironton \"\"<\/span><\/a><\/td>24 - 14<\/a><\/td>Ridgewood<\/a><\/td>
N\/A<\/div><\/td>
<\/div>Recap<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2019-11-30 19:00:45<\/date>November 30, 2019<\/a><\/td>Ironton \"\"<\/span><\/a><\/td>49 - 21<\/a><\/td>\"\"<\/span> West Jefferson<\/a><\/td>
N\/A<\/div><\/td>
<\/div>Recap<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
2019-12-07 20:00:58<\/date>December 7, 2019<\/a><\/td>Kirtland \"\"<\/span><\/a><\/td>17 - 7<\/a><\/td>\"\"<\/span> Ironton<\/a><\/td>
N\/A<\/div><\/td>
<\/div>Recap<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\t\t\t<\/tbody>\n\t\t<\/table>\n\t<\/div>\n\t
View all games<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

2019 Ironton Tigers<\/h4>\n\t\t