Round 2 Wheelersburg vs. Liberty Union at Jackson

[backdoor54]

Liberty Union will be going up against one of the best defensive coaching staffs in d5 in the state. Many burg fans will draw parallels to the Waverly game last year. Let me remind you that these are different athletes in the defensive backfield. Not saying they are worse, but may have different strengths. The gameplan last year for waverly (a spread offense) was to pressure with linebackers and d-line and leave the dbs one on one, athlete on athlete. I don't know if coach Woodward will try and lean on his athletes in the backfield against the spread again, or if he thinks the personell difference calls for a different gameplan, I'm sure he will make the right calls. As always, good luck guys.

[PirateFan_2010]

Didn't notice it, but what time does the game start?

[piratepride05]

Didn't notice it, but what time does the game start?

7:00 pm

[bigwest]

the burgs the word . good luck from a west fan.

[bigdaddyblitz]

Burg_Grad----your right I haven't...don't remember saying I DID...........and Baltimore,ohio got 1 traffic light...so aint like there city boys .......farm boys and big uns at that and thats where I'll leave it.....taking the LIONS by a point...but good luck....gonna need it...this group hungry.....bird78

C'mon Bird, give us some credit.We have THREE traffic lights, TWO gas stations, TWO diners, FOUR Pizza joints,ZERO fast food joints and about 15 churches.lol Wheelersburg is a metropolis compared to Baltimore.But you are right about the farm boys. It's a place where the entire school gets a whole week off for the Fairfield County Fair in October b/c so many kids show animals.If you go past the HS during school hours, you'll see no less than 10, 4x4 diesel trucks. We even have tractor day, where everyone in the FFA drives their tractor to school(during National FFA week)We love our football here, the same as the Burg's followers. Saturday night would be a good time for thieves.Good thing we can lock the livestock gates on the four entrances to town on our way out.lol
The Lions don't have near the tradition as Wheelersburg as far as playoffs, but the few times we've been there, we were somewhat successful. In 1987, the Lions lost their only game in the second round to eventual state champ, Cols. Academy and in 1999 we lost our only game in the 3rd round to eventual state champs, Amanda Clearcreek. So, look at it this way:if you do beat us, history shows that you will probably be State Champs!
I know people keep talking about the size of the Lions, and believe me, they are big,strong country boys, but there is no substitute for speed. I happen to be one of the few Baltimorons that know a good bit about the Pirates, b/c I lived and coached in the area. They always have small, quick d-linemen that bust their tales. I remember a few years ago when they had the Peach boys , Proehl(sp?)and that whole crew. Their defense was very good. They got down and dirty and played some gut-bustin defense. What do you Burg fans think about the comparison of this years team and that team?Are they as good?
I hope the refs let the kids play the game and call the game evenly on both sides. If they do, and both teams bring their A-game, this game could very well be one of the best match-ups of the D-5 playoffs. I know some of the NY folks called the Lions cheap shot artists, but I see them as just plain nasty on the field.The way a team should be.I didn't see any personal fouls called.As long as there aren't any 15yarders called, hey it's football, not tiddleywinks.Look for a dog fight at Holzer field this Saturday. Good luck to both teams on a hard fought, injury free,clean contest. GO LIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KOOLKOACH]

good luck burg............................ hope to see ya again vs west........

[PirateFan_2010]

Didn't notice it, but what time does the game start?

7:00 pm

thank you

[Keyser_sozeThrice]

Here is a community-relations type story that I did about the games here that runs in our paper (Jackson County Times-Journal) today (Tuesday), but there is some things of note in there about parking costing $2 and passes not accepted because it's an OHSAA sanctioned event. Enjoy.

And for whomever asked about Dakota's, it is down from Wal-Mart on the left. If you are on 93 going South like you are going towards Oak Hill, turn left at the light before Wal-Mart. At that light, there is an Enterprise Rent-a-Car place, Turn left there.

Playoff football returns to Jackson

By PAUL BOGGS
Sports Editor

It’s back.

After a two-year absence, high school football playoff action returns to Jackson High School’s sparkling Alumni Stadium this weekend.

And, it’s a double dose of regional semifinal action.

That’s because Alumni Stadium is the site for two playoff tilts, with one game set for Friday night and the other set for Saturday night.

On Friday night, in a Division IV, Region 15 semifinal, Ironton encounters New Lexington at Holzer Field.

On Saturday night, in a Division V, Region 19 semifinal, Liberty Union takes on Wheelersburg.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. for Friday night’s affair while Saturday night’s showdown is set for 7 p.m.

The two games this weekend mark the third and fourth playoff games in the five-year history of Alumni Stadium.

The facility opened in 2004, with Wheelersburg and Amanda-Clearcreek clashing for the Division V, Region 19 regional championship.

A year later, in a Region 15 semifinal, Ironton made its second trip to Alumni Stadium that season, and fared much better in defeating Westfall 21-7.

In week four of that fall, Ironton was upset by first-year head coach Shane Wolford and the host Jackson Ironmen, 17-7.

However, Holzer Field did not host any playoff games last season or the year before last.

That’s because it was ineligible to host, due to the fact that the Jackson High School athletic department — under the direction of former athletic director Jason Snider — did not re-apply the site with the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

Potential neutral playoff sites, if they wish to host, must apply with the OHSAA on an annual basis.

But Bob Kight has since taken over as athletic director, and one of his first tasks was to apply Alumni Stadium as a host playoff site.

Kight’s efforts paid off on Sunday, as the OHSAA announced that not one but two playoff games will be held at Jackson this weekend.

Kight referred questions about the playoff games from The Jackson County Times-Journal to Jackson City Schools Superintendent Phil Howard.

Howard expressed excitement about Jackson’s ability to host — not just one but two games.

“It is the goal of the Jackson City School District to promote our state-of-the-art facilities and have our guests enjoy our beautiful city while patronizing our local businesses,” he said. “We view this as a potential financial windfall for the businesses of the city of Jackson.”

Those businesses lost out on financial gain last season and the year before last.

In fact, last year, when Waverly and Westfall advanced from the regional quarterfinals to face each other in the Region 15 semifinals, Jackson was believed to be an overwhelming favorite to host that game.

When it was announced that the Waverly-Westfall matchup would be played at the smaller Teays Valley Viking Stadium, the initially surprising decision was soon understood when it was discovered — according to the OHSAA — that Jackson did not apply to host.

In an e-mail to The Jackson County Times-Journal, Snider — when asked about Alumni Stadium being bypassed — replied that playing that game at Alumni Stadium “would be seen as a perceived advantage for Waverly since Waverly has played here already this season.”

Waverly played at Jackson in week two, but Westfall was at Teays Valley for the season opener.

This year, though, Kight came in and almost immediately applied Alumni Stadium for as many games as it could get.

“We are truly in this for the community,” said Howard. “Bob Kight has worked tirelessly trying to get state tournament events here in Jackson. He has hounded state officials and lobbied hard to bring in these events for the city of Jackson.”

Howard said he was hoping for at least one game, and the New Lexington-Ironton matchup worked out almost perfectly.

Both cities are roughly an hour from Jackson along State Route 93, with Ironton traveling north and New Lexington traveling south.

“Realistically, we were hoping to get one game,” he said. “It just so worked out that we were able to get two, which we’re very excited about. We got information last week that told us that we were, more than likely, going to have the Ironton game if they won.”

Ironton, the third seed in Region 15, rallied past visiting Westfall 41-31.

Landing the Liberty Union-Wheelersburg matchup, Howard said, “was possible, and it worked out.”

Liberty Union pushed past Nelsonville-York 15-14 on Saturday, while Wheelersburg managed to get by Minford 14-6.

Had Nelsonville-York won, and regardless of the winner of the Wheelersburg-Minford matchup, that semifinal would almost assured to have been played at Alumni.

“Those two games (Ironton-New Lexington game and Saturday night game) were the only two games that we had the possibility of getting this weekend,” said Howard.

A weekend in which plenty of football fans will pour into Jackson.

“There is a great possibility that we could have anywhere from 5,000 to 7,000 additional people here each day, or potentially 13,000 to 15,000 people for the entire weekend,” said Howard. “Weather permitting of course.”

The stadium’s seating capacity is 7,200, although standing-room-only crowds and even overflow crowds are anticipated.

Howard emphasized the economic boon to the community from the games.

“We truly believe that hosting such events is the least we can do to give back to the community and help our local economy,” he said. “The local businesses have been such a friend to the school, we’re constantly asking these individuals and businesses for donations. Our guests this weekend will be eating in our restaurants, they’re going to be buying gasoline, they’re going to be shopping at Wal-Mart and other places. That generates revenue for our business partners. It is a great way for us to be able to give to them for all they do for us. We may not make money directly from hosting, but indirectly we do because if our businesses prosper, they are more able to help the school in a financial capacity. It could potentially be a good weekend for the businesses.”

Howard and Kight both cautioned that the only revenue generated which is kept by the Jackson athletic department is money collected from parking.

It costs $2 to park in the Jackson High School or Jackson Middle School lots.

The school support groups also profit from the sale of concessions.

Otherwise, any and all other money made goes to the OHSAA.

“I don’t want to make it sound like we go in the hole on this, but what people don’t realize is that when we host these events, the school doesn’t receive any revenue from the gate receipts. And it’s a lot of work for our staff to put on these events,” said Howard. “The OHSAA does pay us a rental fee for use of the facility and they pay the actual cost for ticket takers, security, custodial work, etc., but trust me, the rental fee basically covers the cost of electricity for the lights and the additional water use.”

Howard also said that hosting on back-to-back nights requires plenty of man hours, and manpower, as far as actual site preparation.

“We’re going to have a game here on Friday night, then we have to have the stadium cleaned up and ready to go again on Saturday night,” he said. “It’s a lot of work for a lot of people.”

Two of the teams, Ironton and Wheelersburg, are familiar with Holzer Field.

Ironton, like Jackson, is a member of the Southeastern Ohio Athletic League, and plays the Ironmen every other year at Alumni Stadium.

Jackson’s game against Ironton three years ago was a non-league game, but Ironton returned as an SEOAL opponent last season.

Wheelersburg, which scrimmages the Ironmen every August, has done so in Jackson in three of the past four years, including this season.

Both Ironton and Wheelersburg are traditional powers in Southeastern Ohio as well, and have a strong allegiance of fan support.

“It helps to have teams like Ironton and Wheelersburg, which have such good programs, which are always in the playoffs and have such a huge following,” said Howard. “But I think all four teams will have a lot of crowd support.”

New Lexington, like Liberty Union on Saturday, is making its first-ever appearance in Alumni Stadium.

“We sincerely look forward to making this a prosperous and enjoyable weekend for everyone involved,” said Howard.

Howard also explained that, as per OHSAA rules, regular-season passes such as the “Ironmen” pass will not be accepted at the gate and reserve seating at Alumni Stadium will not apply.

In addition, parking passes which were issued for regular-season games at Jackson will not be honored.

“These are OHSAA-sponsored events,” said Howard. “Passes are no good.”

Tickets are $9 at the gate on Friday and Saturday, but Howard said some advance tickets will be on sale for the people of Jackson for $7.

Those advance tickets are available at the high school during normal school hours.

Football playoff games are not the only events being hosted by Jackson High School this year.

Like last season, JHS will also play host to the 14-team Division III boys basketball sectional tournament and the Division IV girls basketball district tournament.

Both tournaments span the course of a week in late February.

[email protected]

[WitnessProtection]

Keyser
Thanks for the knowledge.

[yabbadabbadoo]

I can now see why the other AD is gone. That is nothing bu t a win-win for Jackson. I know my family and I will more than likely be eating there. We might just try out Dakota's. I ate there once for a luncheon meeting one time and it was very good.

I know some Baltimore people on the huddle weren't real happy with the site, but I think that once they see it, they will be happy with the facility. It is the cream of the crop in Southern Ohio.

As far as the drive goes, LU will probably be in better roads because trust me, Rt. 93 is not the funnest road to travel on, especially at night. The deer are so bad that they look like cattle grazing in the field.


Here is to an injury free game on both sides and may the best team wins, of course I want that to be the Burg, but if they lose, so beit. I will get on here and congratulate LU and wish them the best of luck the rest of the playoffs. Hope the rain holds off for the game. Looks like it might be wet which might keep the casual fan away. Still expect a huge crowd, rain or not.

[powerliftingnut]

Dakotas is a great place and the Ponderosa in Jackson is one of the best. I agree this will be a great thing for the Jackson Business area for the game. There is also another place with an Irish name I cant think of that has very good food. Maybe someone can list it.

[ironman02]

powerliftingnut,

I think you might be referring to Bennigans. It is no longer in business.

For those of you hoping to eat at Dakotas before the game, I would suggest getting there very early. It is usually pretty crowded around dinner time on Fridays and Saturdays and the visitors for the playoff game will only make things more congested.

If you like Mexican food, El Toro Loco is a good restaurant to try. It's across the street from Pizza Hut on Main Street. There are also plenty of fast food options, as well as Bob Evans.

[The Riepo Man]

the burg walks into the regional finals.
the burg 28
lu 0

I dont think they will walk into the regional finals but I believe they will find a way to win whether it be by one point or 50

[RiverRat]

[Bleeding Red]

:aaaaa52

Typical Burg fan. No wonder at the Valley game everyone was cheering because West was beating you.

[osu 77]

I dont' think this will even be a close game.

Wheelersburg roles in this one all night long!!!!!

[Bleeding Red]

I dont' think this will even be a close game.

Wheelersburg roles in this one all night long!!!!!

Wow. If Burg's passing game isnt better than against Minford, it wont be a close game. Hopefully Burg can work on it this week and be able to throw the ball better.

[yabbadabbadoo]

I dont' think this will even be a close game.

Wheelersburg roles in this one all night long!!!!!

Wow. If Burg's passing game isnt better than against Minford, it wont be a close game. Hopefully Burg can work on it this week and be able to throw the ball better.

IMO, if Burg would have kept throwing the ball against Minford, the score would have been worse. I'm not talking about the long bombs, because I still don't think Schank has the arm strength to throw the ball that far, with accuarcy, but the little dump passes to the RB's out of the backfield was working just fine. After Burg got the lead, just like in the first game and like in some other games this year, they just went away from the pass altogether. If it isn't broke, why fix it.

They have the receivers and they have two that sometimes have close to 6-8 inches on the DB's, but still yet they aren't utilized. Another receiver that is hardly used and Minford used there's to perfection the other night, is the tight end. Burg has one that has pretty good hands and has some size and can go up and get a ball, just like he did the other night. If they don't throw, teams are just going to stuff 9 guys in the box and then they'll have to throw.

Good luck Pirates. Bring home another victory.

[kranky]

It's a darn shame that a handful of Minford posters are making a mockery out of their community. Leave the crap alone or start a new thread. In case your comprehension level is a little off, this thread is about the Burg and LU, not about poor little Minford and how they were wronged.

If you have seen any tape at all, Minford has a couple of cheap shot artist themselves. You might want to get out of your glass house.

A handful has single handedly made Minford the king of the whiners in the SOC.


BURG CONTINUE TO KICK BUTT LIKE YOU DID LAST WEEK!!!!!!!