Week 15 : #2 (13-1) West Liberty Salem vs #1 (13-1) Ironton

[artisgilmore]

Ironton wins easy Friday.Finals may not be a running clock,but I feel really confident about it.

[fielddaddy]

When Pendleton took over Ironton it was a mess shrinking roster players leaving the program and losses piling up.
They had a coach who was a good guy but wasn’t a hard guy.
Kids was undisciplined and out of shape.
The program was truly in a bad place that is why the got in the OVC.
Pendleton comes in turns it around with hard work and dedication from the young men.
Yes Ironton had transfers come in this because they was winning but a lot of players from Ironton is also there helping this team win.
This is a winning program once again by a man who works with passion to help this team be better by getting the best coaches he can.
Getting the OC from Burg has helped but Ironton did not poach him he was let go by Burg for reasons that shall not be talked about here.
Pendleton was smart to get him.
This is a special team that wants to win and through trials and tribulations this may be the year they win it all.
And erase the ghost of past championship games.
Go Ironton make SE Ohio proud.

[Ohio1979]

I don’t think Irontons defense gets enough credit. I played on the ‘99 team and I can truly say that this is the best Ironton Defense I have ever seen. And team i’ve ever seen. Including the offense. The last time i saw a better linebacker was Reid Carrico. I mean these Linebackers, D-Line, and Defense backs are just different animals right now. I believe the majority of teams that have scored on them this year was just based on the fact that they had the freshman or JV in. I can confidently say that the D-Line and linebackers are or should be looked at as one of the best ironton has had. This defense should go down in ironton history as on of the best. Including the offense.

I have been saying this. The talent on this Ironton team is out of this world. They are the most talented team Ironton has ever had. They can’t be the best until they win it all, but I think they should by a pretty healthy margin

[Amock0905]

Not sure if I overlooked this but any chance there is a stream for this game?

[SWOHT]

Any interested FB FAN’s out there who haven’t found this…


Evidentally, not part of the spectrum $10 PPV.


The video is through the Indian Lake youtube channel, so it looks like loosing team got approved for video rights, & tapped into “PIQUA” Neutral hosts loud SPEAKER…

Anyway, I’m viewing & at start of 2Q & WLS IS down 7-0.

Very “Vanilla” play so far both squads.

WLS Looks like they are fast to ball on D, but not much luck offensively yet.


End of game stats on maxpreps shows WLS -TD’s in 2Q, 3Q, & 4Q’s to get the get the 21-14 Win 2 advance.

I usually watch & compare with Roster I find on schools own Websites, or MaxPreps.com.

Maxpreps roster is all i can find on WLS & it does not match “PIQUA” announcer, who does an end of play loudspeaker recap each time.

His (ROSTER)player name/s for WLS DOES NOT MATCH MAX PREPS @ all- BUT DOES MATCH MAX PREPS ROSTER ON INDIAN LAKE.

.
https://www.youtube.com/live/HZf-9_-8vZE?feature=shared



GoTigersGo
#GoTgo

https://ohcsports.com/fbTeamRoster.aspx ... &year=2024

[SWOHT]

A little about West Liberty-Salem:

In the last 20 years, they've really built a successful program. They've had some very good football teams, but are typically in a region with MAC schools and many a MAC schools has ended their runs (Marion Local, Coldwater, Versailles, St. Henry, Minster, etc). This is their first trip in 4 attempts to try and get to the state semifinals.

The school is more known for their strong running programs (several state titles in Cross Country and Track & Field), but are very successful locally in nearly every sport.

The school is a combination of the village West Liberty (Logan County - population 1200) and the former Salem school district (rural northern Champaign County). The schools is literally in the middle of a corn field, surrounded by farms. This is what I would call a "farming community."

The roster (link above) is 55, which is a higher participation than usual. There are 17 seniors on this team, a majority of what you will see on the field on Friday night are those seniors. The team is well coached and disciplined, but overall undersized and out "athleted."

On the field, they are led by their senior QB who has thrown for 2,080 yards (21 TD - 3 INT) and rushed for another 1017. He is a bigger/stronger quarterback who likes to put his shoulder down a little too much. Their running back is compact, strong, and hits the hole hard. He has rushed for 1181 yards and 22 TDs. He did miss some time earlier in the season (including their only loss). Their top 2 receivers are both talented athletes and have caught for 982 yards/11 TDs and 716 yards / 7 TDs respectively.

Defensively, WLS is pretty balanced as far as production. They have shown glimpses of being very good (albeit against weaker competition) and appear to be more of a "bend don't break" type defense. They have forced 22 turnovers through 14 games, 15 of which are interceptions.

WLS averages 381.5 yards per game on offense, 215.6 on the ground and 165.9 through the air.

[BigBlueNation]

After reading some of these comments it's kind of reminds me of the 02 semifinal. Ursaline with all their D-1 talent and extremely tough schedule was a heavy favorite against Portsmouth West. We know how that turned out, Ursaline got smacked in the mouth and got beat. Coach Jerod Pendleton was on that West team and knows all about it. If I'm not mistaken Trevon was on the sidelines as one of the ball boys.I hope the Ironton kids and coaches are not over looking their opponent this week. I'm sure their not but stranger things have happened. Good luck Tigers.

[gobucs20]

After reading some of these comments it's kind of reminds me of the 02 semifinal. Ursaline with all their D-1 talent and extremely tough schedule was a heavy favorite against Portsmouth West. We know how that turned out, Ursaline got smacked in the mouth and got beat. Coach Jerod Pendleton was on that West team and knows all about it. If I'm not mistaken Trevon was on the sidelines as one of the ball boys.I hope the Ironton kids and coaches are not over looking their opponent this week. I'm sure their not but stranger things have happened. Good luck Tigers.

Absolutely right. This is no longer region 19. If Ironton doesn't beat themselves I think they will win and move on but they will get this teams best shot.

[teach1coach2]

That link should have its own thread.

Doesn't belong here.

[WinnerWinner]

Not sure if I overlooked this but any chance there is a stream for this game?

https://ohsaa.boxcast.com/#/broadcasts/ ... pgb8rpilyn

[BigSpoon]

I agree. Ironton would have to have a complete meltdown to lose

Hard to predict seeing how weak our region was this year . 55-0 in a regional championship game is mind boggling:

Eh. Ironton putting up big numbers all
Year long and burg having come in with one starter out. Two that probably shouldn’t have played and one that got hurt during the game. Burg was limping a little in that game and they needed to be healthy to have any kind of chance at it.

Starting corner was out for Ironton their first game against burg 37-7 and he had a pick six against them in the regional final 55-0

[BigSpoon]

When Pendleton took over Ironton it was a mess shrinking roster players leaving the program and losses piling up.
They had a coach who was a good guy but wasn’t a hard guy.
Kids was undisciplined and out of shape.
The program was truly in a bad place that is why the got in the OVC.
Pendleton comes in turns it around with hard work and dedication from the young men.
Yes Ironton had transfers come in this because they was winning but a lot of players from Ironton is also there helping this team win.
This is a winning program once again by a man who works with passion to help this team be better by getting the best coaches he can.
Getting the OC from Burg has helped but Ironton did not poach him he was let go by Burg for reasons that shall not be talked about here.
Pendleton was smart to get him.
This is a special team that wants to win and through trials and tribulations this may be the year they win it all.
And erase the ghost of past championship games.
Go Ironton make SE Ohio proud.

The coaching staff before Pendleton took over was terrible. Its sad for the boys who had to play during that time because they had some great athletes.

[fielddaddy]

When Pendleton took over Ironton it was a mess shrinking roster players leaving the program and losses piling up.
They had a coach who was a good guy but wasn’t a hard guy.
Kids was undisciplined and out of shape.
The program was truly in a bad place that is why the got in the OVC.
Pendleton comes in turns it around with hard work and dedication from the young men.
Yes Ironton had transfers come in this because they was winning but a lot of players from Ironton is also there helping this team win.
This is a winning program once again by a man who works with passion to help this team be better by getting the best coaches he can.
Getting the OC from Burg has helped but Ironton did not poach him he was let go by Burg for reasons that shall not be talked about here.
Pendleton was smart to get him.
This is a special team that wants to win and through trials and tribulations this may be the year they win it all.
And erase the ghost of past championship games.
Go Ironton make SE Ohio proud.

The coaching staff before Pendleton took over was terrible. Its sad for the boys who had to play during that time because they had some great athletes.

I agree what is sadder is Pendleton wasn’t even their first choice.
I’m glad he is at Ironton he is truly building the young men there into great leaders and they do listen to him he is their coach not their best friend and that makes a great difference

[osu 77]

Why is it every time I want to read about the Ironton game I have to read a bunch of Wheelersburg post! Most of it has nothing to do with the game at all but crying about getting beat 92 to 7.

[wobycat]

Why is it every time I want to read about the Ironton game I have to read a bunch of Wheelersburg post! Most of it has nothing to do with the game at all but crying about getting beat 92 to 7.

Because some of the Ironton fan base brings it up. I don’t think there was one burg fan crying about anything

[fbnut]

Why is it every time I want to read about the Ironton game I have to read a bunch of Wheelersburg post! Most of it has nothing to do with the game at all but crying about getting beat 92 to 7.

go read any burg thread and see how many ironton fans post on it

[kantucky]

I don’t think Irontons defense gets enough credit. I played on the ‘99 team and I can truly say that this is the best Ironton Defense I have ever seen. And team i’ve ever seen. Including the offense. The last time i saw a better linebacker was Reid Carrico. I mean these Linebackers, D-Line, and Defense backs are just different animals right now. I believe the majority of teams that have scored on them this year was just based on the fact that they had the freshman or JV in. I can confidently say that the D-Line and linebackers are or should be looked at as one of the best ironton has had. This defense should go down in ironton history as on of the best. Including the offense.

I have been saying this. The talent on this Ironton team is out of this world. They are the most talented team Ironton has ever had. They can’t be the best until they win it all, but I think they should by a pretty healthy margin

I said that myself, early on, best Ironton has ever had. There's been players in some positions that maybe have been better than some this year but overall, as a team, they are well balanced. They don't even look like a high school team. These kids know their job and they do it. The kids have been well instructed in how to play the game. I'm very impressed with them. No matter how much further then go, I'll never forget this team!

I'll be surprised if we don't finally see another banner go up to match '79 and '89

[scott1297]

Im a huge Burg fan and graduate but I just want to wish Ironton the best hope you guys win it all and bring that trophy back to southern Oh!! If you guys play like you did against Burg you should have no problem doing it. I've seen Burg get beat by Coldwater and Bishop Hartley a couple times and neither one of those teams looked as good as Ironton does this year. It's all about playing as a team and Ironton has put it together this year . This is the best Ironton team that I have seen in a long time so good luck friday

[14U]

I don’t think Irontons defense gets enough credit. I played on the ‘99 team and I can truly say that this is the best Ironton Defense I have ever seen. And team i’ve ever seen. Including the offense. The last time i saw a better linebacker was Reid Carrico. I mean these Linebackers, D-Line, and Defense backs are just different animals right now. I believe the majority of teams that have scored on them this year was just based on the fact that they had the freshman or JV in. I can confidently say that the D-Line and linebackers are or should be looked at as one of the best ironton has had. This defense should go down in ironton history as on of the best. Including the offense.

I get it on you thinking being young but the 80’s had some great D’s. I played against a linebacker that was 6’3 236 going to OSU I heard after our game ( he left on ambulance) loses his ride. Ironton in 80’s always changing players in and out with talent level never changing. Playoff were different or Ironton would have more of everything during playoffs. Our days 1 team went from area. The game has changed so much since then.

[Bird Dog]

I don’t think Irontons defense gets enough credit. I played on the ‘99 team and I can truly say that this is the best Ironton Defense I have ever seen. And team i’ve ever seen. Including the offense. The last time i saw a better linebacker was Reid Carrico. I mean these Linebackers, D-Line, and Defense backs are just different animals right now. I believe the majority of teams that have scored on them this year was just based on the fact that they had the freshman or JV in. I can confidently say that the D-Line and linebackers are or should be looked at as one of the best ironton has had. This defense should go down in ironton history as on of the best. Including the offense.

I get it on you thinking being young but the 80’s had some great D’s. I played against a linebacker that was 6’3 236 going to OSU I heard after our game ( he left on ambulance) loses his ride. Ironton in 80’s always changing players in and out with talent level never changing. Playoff were different or Ironton would have more of everything during playoffs. Our days 1 team went from area. The game has changed so much since then.

Ironton made the playoffs 6 of 10 years during the 80's with 3 championship game appearances and won one state title. How much "more of everything" would be expected?