Official IRONFALCON Power Poll

[FarAwayFalcon]

This is the kick-off of The Official IRONFALCON Power Poll. I waited until week 3 to start this so as to have a decent idea of who is pretending or contending. First off the criteria to be included: Must be a D-4, D-5 or D-6 school (Sorry Logan), and obviously must be in Southern Ohio. There will be at least one honorable mention team or teams each week, this team is not always next on the list, it may be a team that had a good week and deserves recognition for it. I would love to hear anyone and everyones thoughts on this poll, but if you’re here to pick a fight with me or anyone else don’t bother. Debates are more than welcome but lets try to keep it classy and respectful to each other. So here it is, after 3 weeks in the 2010 high school football season, the top ten teams in Southern Ohio.

1) West - The senators are for real this year, with their punishing run game and passing just enough, they have made quick and easy work of every team they have played this year. They look to be the team to beat in the SOC II and also look like they have what it takes for a playoff run as well. As much as it pains me to put them ahead of my Falcons, I think their body of work to this point in the season is better.

2a) Minford - Falcons have looked pretty good at times, especially this week against Piketon. If they continue to improve like the have been look out for them to make a run in the SOC II and maybe beyond. The Falcons get the 2a nod because their opponents are 4-5 combined record and all of them are D-4.

2b) Oak Hill - The oaks knocked off wheelersburg in convincing fashion. With a ton of starters from a very good team last year they just might be the team to beat in D-5 Region 19. The have a two tough games left and that is it, should be well rested for the playoffs. I put them at 2b only because their opponents are a combined 1-8 and two of them are D-5 schools, also their win against the pirates was at home and I still want to see them win a big game on the road.

4) Ironton - The fighting tigers struggled to win against wheelersburg in a game they could have easily lost some might say should have lost, and beat Russel and Chillicothe teams that aren’t very good at all. Tough test coming for them this week against an undefeated Ashland team, Ironton will also have revenge on the mind after their first loss in years to them last year. Ironton usually gets better as the season wears on, I look for them to get very tough and possibly make a playoff run.

5a) Wheelersburg - The pirates stumbled out of the gate but pulled out a win against Portsmouth in the final seconds. While they haven’t started off as they had hoped this team is still a good team. Never count the pirates out in the SOC II or Southern Ohio. Pirates are slightly above the Indians in the poll right now because their two losses came against undefeated teams.

5b) Lucasville Valley - I, as have many, doubted if the Indians were for real this season. Well with the beating they put on the grove they have convinced me. Valley will be a force in the SOC II this year and likely make the playoffs.

7) Portsmouth - The Trojans started out strong against D-2 Wilmingon team. They then lost to a very good West team, and lost in the final seconds to wheelersburg. The Trojans are still a good team I think, they next few weeks will tell the tale for them.

8 ) Nelsonville York - The buckeyes are traditionally a tough team, and after going 8-2 and missing they playoffs last year I‘m sure they‘re very focused this season. While I don’t know much about them I think they are a good team this year and have a strong chance to make the playoffs. They have some tough games coming up and if they win those they will almost definitely make the playoffs this year.

9) Coal Grove - The grove had a good thing going before running into a very talented Valley team. I still think the hornets can win the OVC and make the playoffs, but we will have to see if the Valley game was a blip on the radar or a serious red flag.

10) Wellston - Wellston was able to pull off a huge win week 1 against Jackson. They lost a tought one to Minford in week 2, and lost week 3 to an undefeated D-3 Gallia Academy. Things don’t get any easier for the rockets this week as they face oak hill. After this week though the Rockets have a good shot at winning several games through the end of the year.

Honorable Mention:
Northwest Mohawks - Don’t look now but the Mohawks are on a winning streak. They have a chance to extend that streak to 3 this week against Notre Dame, the rest of the SOC II is pulling for you Northwest, keep it going.

[generalfootballfan]

I think that the Vikings from SV at least deserve an Horable Mention at this point. I'm not from there or anything but I have watched football games every weekend this year and saw them easily handle Chesapeake last night. They are at 3-0 and I think that they would give a few of the teams on here all they wanted. Not saying the West's of this year, or Ironton, Minford ofrsome of the other bigger names, but I would put them well above Northwest. They would be a very tough win for Coal Grove, Wellston, Nelsonville York.

[FarAwayFalcon]

I think that the Vikings from SV at least deserve an Horable Mention at this point. I'm not from there or anything but I have watched football games every weekend this year and saw them easily handle Chesapeake last night. They are at 3-0 and I think that they would give a few of the teams on here all they wanted. Not saying the West's of this year, or Ironton, Minford ofrsome of the other bigger names, but I would put them well above Northwest. They would be a very tough win for Coal Grove, Wellston, Nelsonville York.

I thought about them actually. Almost put them at #10, the argument could certainly be made as far as them being better than Wellston. I only put Wellston ahead of them because they beat Jackson and hung with with Minford. Time will tell, but the Vikings are certainly on my list of teams to watch.

[Bleeding Red]

Good poll. I like Valley over Burg and NY over Burg and Portsmouth.

[TrojanXplosion]

No complaints here. I think this is great.

[FarAwayFalcon]

Well gahs4ever, if you look at my introduction I said I was only going to include D IV,V, and VI teams. If I were to include D III then certainly Gallia Academy would be on the list and likely in the top half. Also Honorable Mention teams are not necessarily the "11th best" team, more likely a team that had a good week.

Bleeding Red, I can see you reasoning as well, the further along in the season we get we will get a better picture of how good everyone is. I wouldn't be suprised at all if you what you mentioned comes true in the following weeks.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

it needs work , i'll say that. neither minford or oak hill could play with the tigers,and the burg in 5th at 1-2.ahead of valley, ny and coal grove, i'm thinking not.

[FarAwayFalcon]

Well to say that Minford and Oak Hill couldn't even play with Ironton is a pretty bold statement IMO. If they didn't let the Ironton name get to them I'm sure both of those teams could at least play with and maybe beat Ironton. The fighting tigers have two pretty tough games against undefeated teams in a row and if they win both of those I'll have to move them way up the list maybe even into the #1 spot. As far as wheelersburg being ranked too high that might be true, but I have to give them the benefit of the doubt right now, we really won't find much out about them for a few more weeks when they get into league play.

[Bleeding Red]

it needs work , i'll say that. neither minford or oak hill could play with the tigers,and the burg in 5th at 1-2.ahead of valley, ny and coal grove, i'm thinking not.

Really? The same Ironton team that couldnt put together drives against Burg??? LMAO!

I hope you guys found a good kicker during tryouts last week. Oh yeah, you could say I spend alot of time in Itown. I sort of know alot of what goes on. Sooner or later a D4 school with no kicker.....well.....its gonna catch back up to them.

And I was told that outside of a couple big plays and Burgs mistakes, Ironton couldnt do much against Burg.

Out of curiosity, how many first downs did Ironton have in that game

[Bleeding Red]

Oh, yeah....I would think Oak Hill beats Ironton by 7 and Minford beats them by 3.....in a game that comes down to a field goal

[Burg_Grad_77]

I think the Tigers had 4 first downs against the Pirates.

I too think the Burg is too high.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

it needs work , i'll say that. neither minford or oak hill could play with the tigers,and the burg in 5th at 1-2.ahead of valley, ny and coal grove, i'm thinking not.

Really? The same Ironton team that couldnt put together drives against Burg??? LMAO!

I hope you guys found a good kicker during tryouts last week. Oh yeah, you could say I spend alot of time in Itown. I sort of know alot of what goes on. Sooner or later a D4 school with no kicker.....well.....its gonna catch back up to them.

And I was told that outside of a couple big plays and Burgs mistakes, Ironton couldnt do much against Burg. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------let me try to address these one by one, since you make it so complicated every year.

they put together enough drives to win, lmao. and the series is extremely lopsided in ironton's favor.

you can pretend you are in ironton everyday, but you loath them, and always have, not my fault about the kicker, but we keep winning.

point 3. burg /ironton is always a tough game. and ironton always starts slow, but again, we won.

class adjourned.

Out of curiosity, how many first downs did Ironton have in that game

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

Well to say that Minford and Oak Hill couldn't even play with Ironton is a pretty bold statement IMO. If they didn't let the Ironton name get to them I'm sure both of those teams could at least play with and maybe beat Ironton. The fighting tigers have two pretty tough games against undefeated teams in a row and if they win both of those I'll have to move them way up the list maybe even into the #1 spot. As far as wheelersburg being ranked too high that might be true, but I have to give them the benefit of the doubt right now, we really won't find much out about them for a few more weeks when they get into league play.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ironfalcon, in nno way am i insulting your poll, just giving my opinion. but no, oak hill, nor minford could handle the physicality of the fighting tigers. they are simply too much for these teams, but hey, there is always schedules to fill, sign up.

[Bleeding Red]

I am in Ironton way more than you think Tiger Bait....I have seen alot of Ironton, I am not on here to take anything away from them. But I will assure you that neither Oak Hill or Minford would think twice about the Ironton "tradition". They would show up to play ball and both of these teams would suprise you.

Just using a comparison with the Burg game, 4 first downs means you had virtually no offense. If Burg can hold them to that, well.......

good thing this poll is all in theory, not reality

[TrojanXplosion]

Ironton couldn't get much going against Burg but, the Tiger defense held strong all night. Also, it was only the first game. I don't know of any teams that play their best in the first week. I have watched the Tigers play and I think they ARE very beatable. However, Portsmouth drove the ball against Burg all night last Friday and made their secondary look silly. But, does that mean that Portsmouth will beat Ironton this year? As of right now, I doubt it. Oak Hill and Minford could play with Ironton but at the end of the day, Ironton's defense and heavy running game would win out. I'm sorry to say that but, teams like Ironton and Ashland are just different beast. I wouldn't see a series between Ironton and Oak Hill or Minford to be extremely competitive. Just my opinion though. I would love to be proven wrong.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IRONTON DO 2 SCRIMMAGES. THAT WAY WE COULD SEE MORE TEAMS. AND AS AN INDEPENDANT AGAIN, WE'LL HAVE OPENINGS, YOU GOTTA JUMP IN WITH BOTH FEET N GIVE ER A WHIRL.

[Bleeding Red]

Ironton couldn't get much going against Burg but, the Tiger defense held strong all night. Also, it was only the first game. I don't know of any teams that play their best in the first week. I have watched the Tigers play and I think they ARE very beatable. However, Portsmouth drove the ball against Burg all night last Friday and made their secondary look silly. But, does that mean that Portsmouth will beat Ironton this year? As of right now, I doubt it. Oak Hill and Minford could play with Ironton but at the end of the day, Ironton's defense and heavy running game would win out. I'm sorry to say that but, teams like Ironton and Ashland are just different beast. I wouldn't see a series between Ironton and Oak Hill or Minford to be extremely competitive. Just my opinion though. I would love to be proven wrong.

Ironton does have a strong D. I will give them that.

TigerBait- I am in no way putting Ironton down, we both know that right? Ironton has one of the most respected football programs in SE Ohio.

I do think that if Ironton ran a 10 year series with both Minford and Oak Hill, it would be lopsided toward Ironton over the course of 10 years.

But to look at this year alone, I think Ironton would have a legitimate chance of going 0-2 against both Oak Hill and Minford. I think both games would be a coin flip.

I think you get my point.

I will also agree that Ironton normally is playing MUCH better week 5-10 than they play weeks 1-5. They always get better throughout the year.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

lets agree to disagree then, because contrary to popular belief, i hate arguing. but i love football. while many on here have mentioned that ironton may have been sandbagging to not show the ashland tomcats anything. which is totally laughable. we have struggled, but are hitting our stride now. i've talked to many coaches and players through the years that have told me several things without fail. i'll tell you these three, and you can choose to believe me , or apply them to your program. they are as follows.
1-i don't care how big a team it it, they tell me tanks memorial stadium is the most intimidating place they've ever played at.
2-they comment on how overwhelming the crowd is, and are intimidating as well.
3-ironton is the most physical game on their schedule, hitting ironton hurts. and always has.

now you can believe me, or apply it to your program, but i'm talking about coaches from teams like cape, desales, belfry, ashland, logan, portsmouth, and the list goes on and on.how do i talk to these coaches. i have a football memorabilia collection , of high school, college , and pro football coaches. and i either talk to them by phone or letter.

[Westfan]

To beat Ironton, you first got to forget that its Ironton. Teams around here seem to get caught up in it instead of just playing football. Teams in the playoffs play better against Ironton because they don't know much about Ironton and they really don't seem to care who they are.

To beat Ironton you must be able to sustain physically and psychologically for 4 quarters. Most teams don't see a style like Ironton. They don't like to the physical beating you get and by the second half, they try to find a hole to lay in.

I will second that the Tank is the most only field that I was in ah of playing on. It is different.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

i agree with you siderman. and it's not that the playoff teams don't know us , it's just once you get by say the second round, everybody is as physical as you. and they have their own rich traditions, very good post.