IRONTON 20 VS Heath 14 - OT - FINAL

[ItownHosscat]

A great game,both teams played their hearts out!
Over all nice ride up,good food at the game,but.......
From what I heard about the Burg game friday night and from what we endured Sat. night,I think Nelsonville dropped the ball AFTER the game.It looked like rushhour,one way out, no police directing traffic,till we got into town?!?!?! By this time traffic was backed up for miles.
They should take notes from Jackson on how to get people out and on the road.

[BubbleGumTiger]

YTB must have been sitting right by the press box, I could hear his big mouth all night.

That big mouth almost got him into trouble in the women's restroom at BK on the way up to the game.

Fuzzy, would you care to elaborate on what tigerbait was doing in the women's restroom at BK...........




The streaker you folks are talking about was the Sanitation Engineer not ol TTT...........we had a heck of a time getting him in the van-mobile.........

[tl895]

coal grove ,minford, the burg, oak hill, the valley mighty mighty logan all gone still standing, the tigers- the past tends to repeat itself.....

[caglewis]

From the Ironton Tribune
http://www.irontontribune.com/news/2009/nov/15/movin/

Movin’ On
Ironton advances to regional finals
By Jim Walker | The Tribune

Originally published 12:00 a.m., November 15, 2009
Updated 12:00 a.m., November 15, 2009

NELSONVILLE — Boom! It was over just like that.

Keith Wetzel ripped through the Heath defense on Ironton’s first play in overtime for a 20-yard touchdown run as the Fighting Tigers beat the Bulldogs 20-14 Saturday in the Division IV Region 15 semifinals.

The run ended a tight battle that went back-and-forth and saw both teams squander several scoring opportunities.

“Had it all the way,” said Ironton coach Bob Lutz with a grin. “We dodged a few bullets and so did they. But we stepped up and made some big plays when we had to.”

Heath came out of the gate as fast as its team speed by going 75 yards in nine plays behind the running of 1,000-yard rushers Charles Gresham and Nelson Scott.

The duo combined for the entire drive — all on the ground — with Scott going the final 13 yards to give the Bulldogs a 6-0 lead at the 8:24 mark.

Ironton took a page out of the quick-strike Bulldogs’ playbook as quarterback Ethan Preston kept the ball on a third down play and raced 70 yards for the tying touchdown.

Keith Wetzel kicked the conversion to give Ironton a 7-6 lead with 6:50 on the clock.

The Fighting Tigers defense forced a three-and-out on Heath’s next possession and got the ball back at its own 13.

Ironton returned to its usual style by driving to the Heath 11-yard line. But on second and 3, Tres Wilks suffered a 14-yard loss and the drive eventually stalled and Heath got the ball back at its own 20.

The Bulldogs used a 37-yard pass from Cole Benner to Zach Wolfe to reach the Ironton 23, but the Fighting Tigers’ defense stiffened and took over on downs at the 26.

Ironton went on another long drive only this time it finished as Wetzel ran 9 yards on the ninth play to push the lead to 14-6 with two minutes left in the half.

Heath used its opening drive of the third quarter to tie the game on a 33-yard run by Gresham to end a 77-yard, nine-play drive. Tim Patterson caught the conversion pass and it was 14-14 with 6:10 on the clock.

Then came a series of events that could have ended the game in regulation.

Ironton fumbled on its next drive near midfield but forced a punt. Scott’s punt rolled dead on the artificial surface at the 5-yard line.

Despite being backed up, Ironton went on a long, punishing, time-consuming drive that used 19 plays to get to the Heath 10. But a fourth down play came up inches short of a first down.

On Heath’s first play, Benner kept the ball and ran 56 yards to the Ironton 34. Heath got to the Ironton 20, but Scott fumbled and Ironton recovered at the 13 with 1:25 left on the clock.

Ironton was unable to move the ball and punted to the Heath 47. Gresham made an outstanding catch as he kept one foot inbounds along the sidelines for a 34-yard gain to the Ironton 19.

Scott ran to the 10-yard line and Heath used its final timeout with 10 seconds left to set up a 27-yard field goal by Scott. But the kick missed wide left with five seconds to go.

Ironton won the coin toss and went on defense to start the overtime. Gresham gained one yard and Benner was tackled by Preston for a 4-yard loss. Benner then threw for the end zone but Ryan Sias came up with the interception.

The Fighting Tigers then ended the game as Wetzel bolted into the end zone on their first play to end the game and send Ironton to the regional finals for the first time since 2005.

Ironton had 300 total yards — all on the ground — with Preston getting 94 on eight carries. Taylor and Wetzel ran for 80 yards each.

Gresham led Heath (9-3) with 123 yards on 21 attempts, well below his average of more than 200 per game.

Ironton (10-2) will play Coshocton next Saturday, possibly at Jackson or Lancaster. Coshocton upset Amanda-Clearcreek 15-12.

Heath 6 0 8 0 0 = 14

Ironton 7 7 0 0 6 = 20

First Quarter

He — Nelson Scott 13 run (kick failed) 8:24

Irn — Ethan Preston 70 run (Keith Wetzel kick) 6:50

Second Quarter

Irn — Keith Wetzel 9 run (Wetzel kick) 2:00

Third Quarter

He — Charles Gresham 33 run (Tim Patterson pass from Cole Benner) 6:10

Overtime

Irn — Keith Wetzel 20 run (no attempt)

——

He Irn

First downs 14 18

Rushes-yards 40-257 45-300

Passing yards 106 0

Total yards 363 300

Cmp-Att-Int 4-10-1 2-2-0

Fumbles-lost 1-1 2-1

Penalties-yards 4-20 3-15

Punts-average 3-49.0 3-37.0

——

Individual Leaders

RUSHING—Heath: Charles Gresham 21-123, Nelson Scott 15-74, Cole Benner 4-60. Ironton: Keith Wetzel 11-80, J.P. Taylor 14-80, Ethan Preston 8-94, Tres Wilks 6-37, Brian Warner 3-15, Tyler Hager 3-8.

PASSING—Heath: Cole Benner 4-10-1 106. Ironton: Ethan Preston 2-2-0.

RECEIVING—Heath: Zack Wolfe 2-47, Charles Gresham 1-3, Nelson Scott 1-25. Ironton: J.P. Taylor 1-6, Tres Wilks 1-minus 6.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

THE BATHROOM STORY, IS ON THE THREAD ABOUT THE IRONTON /COSHOCTON GAME, AND YES, I WAS RIGHT BY THE WINDOW OF THE PRESSBOX. SORRY.

[OZZIEOHIO]

I know you was i could hear you all night.

[heathmom12]

All I can say is WOW!!!! That game was amazing, If you would have told me with 4 minutes to go in that game that we would come away with the victory, I would have told you that you were crazy. A few breaks go our way and we're on to the Regional Finals. Way to go Tigers!! Now Let's go take care of Coshocton!!

Now for Heath, Your team and your fans have absolutely nothing to hang your heads about. I know loss like that can make you want to hang your heads because of disappointment. But that was an amazing game, that honestly I hated to see either team lose. That running back had some serious speed when he got out in space. The defense held with us the entire game. Your fans were pumped up from the very beginning, and constantly chanting until the very end, even after the game if I remember correct. You have earned all the respect in the world from this Tiger fan and I expect to be seeing a lot more from the Heath Bulldogs in the playoffs in the future to come.

There is great Spirit among Heath fans and most of all the Heath Players. Win or lose, after each and every game, the players face their fans, raise their helmets and recite the following: "We wear a "B" for being brave and bold, we wear a "U" for unity. We wear two "L"'s for luck and loyalty and a "D" for Dog gone good. We're dog gone good! We wear an "O" for outstanding sportsmanship, we wear a "G" for gallantry! We wear a "S" for BULLDOG SPIRIT, SPIRIT, we're the best team yes sir ree!"

Every fan sticks around to hear our Bulldog's chant and we celebrate this team spirit with our players, win or lose, and that is no doubt what you heard after last night's game. It is a wonderful experience for the fans each and every game.

I also have respect for the Tiger fans I encountered while waiting for my son outside the men's bathrooms on the Tiger side. Absolutely humble and with nothing but words of respect for our Bulldog team. Truly a wonderful game experience.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

heath played one heckuva game. we are fortunate to advance, great team, undersized, that never gave up. you are more than welcome to break bread with us this week, in nelsonville.

[HeathDogsFan]

Ironton 325 Total Yards.
Heath 250 Total Yards.

Actually, I think Heath had a little over 360 yards, while Ironton had about 300 yards.

[TigerTownKid]

Heathmom, that's awesome. That's a great tradition to have. And as YTB said, 3:00 at Nelsonville. Everyone is welcome!

[Tiger Man]

I thought it was so impressive when our two Tiger busses came rolling into the parking lot. An then all of us in line cheered for them.

Maybe we could put the Kool-Aid down long enough at the tail gate get together to have Bait lead us in the T-I-G-E-R-S cheer as they pass by this Saturday.

Go TIGERS Go!!!

[fightingtigers45]

I thought it was so impressive when our two Tiger busses came rolling into the parking lot. An then all of us in line cheered for them.

Maybe we could put the Kool-Aid down long enough at the tail gate get together to have Bait lead us in the T-I-G-E-R-S cheer as they pass by this Saturday.

Go TIGERS Go!!!

Sounds like a plan to me!!

[TigerTownKid]

Tiger Man, I know when I was playing that would got me pumped to know that the fans were that excited and ready to go. Let's make some noise Saturday night!

[ACCBiggz]

Looks like we'll all be heading back to Nelsonville for the Regional Finals.

[ItownHosscat]

I thought it was so impressive when our two Tiger busses came rolling into the parking lot. An then all of us in line cheered for them.

Maybe we could put the Kool-Aid down long enough at the tail gate get together to have Bait lead us in the T-I-G-E-R-S cheer as they pass by this Saturday.

Go TIGERS Go!!!

Is it me or have you noticed the guy doing the T-I-G-E-R-S cheer doesn't spell Tigers?
Its T.............then I'm left hanging no IGE or R.Do we need cue cards for the guy or from what I'm hearing gal?

[Lil&BigBucksMom]

I thought it was so impressive when our two Tiger busses came rolling into the parking lot. An then all of us in line cheered for them.

Maybe we could put the Kool-Aid down long enough at the tail gate get together to have Bait lead us in the T-I-G-E-R-S cheer as they pass by this Saturday.

Go TIGERS Go!!!

I could hear ya plain as day inside the ticket sales booth! What a great way to show your players how you feel about them!!!!

[Tiger Man]

Well, in YTB defense he does have bad knees so maybe he cant twist himself as Mr. McKnight used to

He was wearing short pants to this game and I ask him "Are those your legs or are you riding a chicken" He informed me that those were not chicken legs, those were ham-hocks

It is great to have so many dedicated fans & good friends that you can have fun with.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

I'LL TRY HARDER THIS WEEK. I PROMISE.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

HERE'S MY COMPLAINT, DON'T WAIT FOR A TOUCHDOWN TO MAKE NOISE, MAKE IT THE WHOLE GAME, AND WHEN WE SPELL TIGERS , EVERYBODY GET UP. IT AIN'T FOR ME , BUT THE KIDS.

[fuzzhead]

Heath was definitely way more fired up than Ironton was. That, IMO, was why they came out and looked so good on that first drive when they ran it right down Ironton's throat.
Ironton got more pumped up as the game went on and their line began to punish the Bulldogs, even though they were bringing 11 men.