WEEK 5 Gallia Academy (4-0) @ Ironton (4-0)

[RiverRatRay]

Gallia Academy's last win over Ironton came at The Tank in 2006. Never underestimate anyone, it can lead to your undoing.

[jottings]

Here's what Jim Walker, long-time sports editor of the Ironton Tribune had to say about Ironton,s 43-6 win over river rival Ashland


Fighting Tigers maul Tomcats, 43-6
Published 1:01am Sunday, September 19, 2010

By Jim Walker,
Sports Editor
Ironton Tribune
When Tres Wilks ran 64 yards on the first play of the game for an Ironton touchdown, Ashland fans got a little uncomfortable in their seats.

But they had no idea what uncomfortable would really be like Friday night.

Ironton’s defense made life more than uncomfortable for Ashland quarterback Sam Hunter and the offense pounded away with its ground game to rout the unbeaten Tomcats 43-6 before a standing room only crowd at Tanks Memorial Stadium.

Ashland was averaging 46 points a game through a 4-0 start with Hunter shredding opposing secondaries. Ironton coach Bob Lutz didn’t let that happen to the Fighting Tigers.

“We took Hunter out of his comfort zone,” said Lutz. “It’s hard to throw when you’re on the run.

“We had (Michael) Lawless and Wilks on the corners, we covered the seams and then played sick ’em. You can credit a lot of that to (assistant coach Bart Burcham). I called the defensive set and he called the stunts.”

Ironton’s 6-foot-4, 275-pound senior defensive lineman Brad Spoljaric spent almost as much time in the Ashland backfield as Hunter, harassing and chasing the quarterback into the waiting arms of his teammates.

Junior defensive end Skylar Fields registered four sacks of the scrambling Hunter and Spoljaric had one of his own.

“Spoljaric showed up tonight. We’ve been on him the first three weeks about the way he’s played,” said Ironton coach Bob Lutz.

“Fields had heck of a game. This was Brandon Leach’s first game (as a starter). We had a lot of guys play well.”

Hunter was 15-of-29 passing for 168 yards and he suffered two interceptions, one by Wilks in the third quarter that he returned 54 yards for a touchdown. He finished with 14 rushing attempts for 10 yards.

“Sam was running for his life the whole night,” said Ashland coach Leon Hart. “Ironton came out and played physical.

“I’m sure they were fired up for the game from a year ago. We come in with gaudy stats and undefeated, but just didn’t play well. You have to give a lot of credit to them.”

Ashland stunned Ironton 26-12 last year to snap a 17-game losing streak to Ironton in the river rivalry that was celebrating its 75th game. Ironton leads the series 43-29-3 and Lutz is now 29-4 against the Tomcats.

Wilks celebrated the anniversary with 212 yards rushing on just eight carries and four touchdowns plus the interception return.

“These guys up front did all the work. I just ran through the holes,” said Wilks. “We said we wanted to make sure we ran north and south all the time because of their speed. When you hit up the middle behind (Spoljaric) and (Robbie Webb) and the others guys, it’s off to the races.”

After Wilks stunned Ashland on the first play and Brian Warner ran for the conversion, Ironton forced a punt that rolled dead at the 3-yard line.

Quaterback Tommy Waginger picked up 15 keys yards behind a block by Pierce Reeves as Ironton moved the ball out to the 19. Four plays later Wilks went on a 71-yard scoring jaunt and Jonathan Williams’ conversion kick pushed the lead to 15-0 at the 4:58 mark.

Ironton (4-0) got the ball back with 6:22 left in the half and a late hit on Wilks nearly 7 yards out of bounds put the ball at the Ashland 45. Waginger hit Lawless with a 23-yard passs on fourth down to the 15 and two plays later Warner scored from 4 yards out.

Waginger ran for the conversion and it was 23-0 at the half.

Trevor White came up with an interception of Hunter on the fifth play of the second half and Ironton had the ball as the Ashland 40. Wilks scored three plays later from 25 yards out and it was 29-0.

Ashland managed to get to the Ironton 35, but Fields sacked Hunter for a 9-yard loss. On the next play, Wilks came up with his interception and Waginger’s conversion run made it 37-0.

“Skylar had a great game,” said Spoljaric.”(Hunter) can’t throw as well on the run. We played real well and our DBs (defensive backs) picked it up and covered them really well.”

The Tomcats finally got on the scoreboard when John Stafford ran 1-yard on the first play of the fourth quarter, but Fields tackled Hunter on the conversion play and it remained 37-6.

Six plays after the ensuing kickoff, Wilks started left and then cut back through a huge seam in the Ashland defense and raced 39 yards for the final score.

Ironton finished with 357 total yards including 334 on the ground. Warner had 63 yards on 16 carries.

Ashland managed just 58 yards rushing and had 226 total yards.

Ashland 0 0 0 6 = 6

Ironton 15 8 14 6 = 43

First Quarter

Irn — Tres Wilks 64 run (Brian Warner run) 11:46

Irn — Tres Wilks 71 (Jonathan Williams kick) 4:58

Second Quarter

Irn — Brian Warner 4 run (Tommy Waginger run) 2:42

Third Quarter

Irn — Tres Wilks 25 run (kick blocked) 8:42

Irn — Tres Wilks 54 interception return (Tommy Waginger run) 4:21

Fourth Quarter

Ash — John Stafford 1 run (run failed) 11:56

Irn — Tres Wilks 39 run (kick failed) 8:38

Ash Irn

First downs 12 16

Rushes-yards 27-58 40-334

Passing yards 168 23

Total yards 226 357

Cmp-Att-Int 15-29-2 1-2-0

Fumbles-lost 2-0 0-0

Punts-average 3-41.3 1-42.0

Penalties-yards 8-103 3-40

Individual Leaders

RUSHING-Ashland: Trey Rogers 7-28, Cody Watts 3-16, Sam Hunter 14-10, Malik Massey 1-0, John Stafford 2-4; Ironton: Tres Wilks 8-212, Brian Warner 16-63, Tommy Waginger 5-37, Laron Beach 4-11, Dion Brown 2-8, Tyler Kratzenberg 1-1, Brandon Wilson 1-0, Jalen Schweickart 1-1, Trevor White 2-1.

PASSING-Ashland: Sam Hunter 15-29-2 172; Ironton: Tommy Waginger 1-2-0 23.

RECEIVING-Ashland: Ryan Whetsel 8-105, Cody Withrow 4-38, Andrew Nunley 2-21, Trey Rogers 1-10; Ironton: Michael Lawless 1-23.

MISSED FIELD GOALS: None.
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[Devils12thman]

The Devils are going to shock all of Ohio on Friday night. A hard fought battle GAHS by a TD! Go Big Blue!

[TigersGameDayFan]

Ironton home record lately has been impressive....
2008....6-0
2009....6-1
2010....1-0
after friday
2010....2-0

[TIGERS90]

Gallia academy 0...fighting tigers 37 at the end of 3rd quarter

[Frogtownbuckeye]

Ironton 34
GAHS 15
Ironton way too big, strong, and fast in this one...

[bluedevil]

gahs student council is sponsoring 2 pep buses to bring G-force to the game

[BubbleGumTiger]

Kinda nice being the underdog for a change.

I hope our kids embrace the way they are being underestimated and hit the field with a nothing-to-lose fierceness.

Every successful program needs challenges like this as a barometer. Championship teams play to the whistle for 48 minutes and never take plays off.

Take it to the bank, the Tigers are not and I repeat not underestimating anyone and I am not either.........

[BubbleGumTiger]

ATTENTION BLUE DEVIL ELKS MEMBERS:

The Ironton Elks lodge will be hosting a cookout before the game at the Lodge on Park Ave before the game. Metts, hot dogs and assorted beverages will be available. All Elks members and guests are invited.

[Malcontent]

Does Gallia Academy think they can bring more fans than Ashland? I was at the Ironton Ashland game and that is the most people I've seen in some time at a high school football game. Has anyone heard an attendance total? Talk about a cash cow.

[Leo Byrd]

Does Gallia Academy think they can bring more fans than Ashland? I was at the Ironton Ashland game and that is the most people I've seen in some time at a high school football game. Has anyone heard an attendance total? Talk about a cash cow.

One thing that boosted the attendance was the fact Coal Grove was idol and many of their fans were in attendance.......my guess would be around 7,000 last Friday and I look for the Blue Devils to bring a good crowd as well.

Rumor has it there will be some blue in the K of C Friday evening......

Also in attendance Friday will be the IHS class of 1960........who are in town for their 50th class reunion.

[ballrmom]

i no i get carried way sometimes but now that the ashland-ironton game is over and we seen the real fighting tigers show up at the game i will give credit to gallia academy on a start of a good season. i don't want to jinks the tigers because my daughters college roommate is from gallia and is a class act good luck to both teams and stay healthy...............

[Rebels on 3]

Does Gallia Academy think they can bring more fans than Ashland? I was at the Ironton Ashland game and that is the most people I've seen in some time at a high school football game. Has anyone heard an attendance total? Talk about a cash cow.

I bet Gallia Academy can bring more GA have a huge road attendance. Cant wait to go to this game.

[RiverRatRay]

If they bring more than Ashland, they'll have to sit them on the roof of the stadium. LOL It was standing room only last Friday night and the standing room was very limited. They let the overflow stand in front of the Ironton Band so you can image how crowded it was. I hope all the Gallia Academy fans have a safe trip down and back.

[Rebels on 3]

GA has one of the biggest student sections that I have ever seen.

[BuckBalls]

Im tired of posting pictures, but our oustanding fan support filled the bleachers at Marietta and at Athens we were at least 90% full and of course that doesnt count those who prefer to stand.

Our band is growing in numbers, and if there is a louder, more well attended student section than G-FORCE, it will be something to see.

GAHS has been down, at least by our standards the last three years, but our outstanding students and fans havent gone anywhere except where their beloved Blue Devils are playing. Ironton is looking at their second straight "cash cow!"

GO BLUE DEVILS!

Well maybe you should put them in Pads cause I think them Tigers will shut that section up. :122247 :122247 :122247 :122247

[RiverRatRay]

GAHS has been down, at least by our standards the last three years, but our outstanding students and fans havent gone anywhere except where their beloved Blue Devils are playing. Ironton is looking at their second straight "cash cow!"

GO BLUE DEVILS!

That sounds good gahs4ever, the bigger the crowd the better. Ironton can use the money to improve conditions at the stadium. They might want to start with the scoreboard. If I were Coke I would want that thing to have all the lights burning not just most. The new concession stand and rest rooms on the visitors side has been needed for a long time and is a great start towards improvement.

Go Tigers!

[BubbleGumTiger]

Could this be a record week for "Split the Pot"..........you get an arm's length for 5 bucks..........


sure wish I could post some pics........not everyone knows what a true Tiger fan looks like......Oh well, maybe next year......

[TIGERS90]

Class of 1990 will be in attendance also...20th reunion..these kids were the seniors of the last championship.

[BubbleGumTiger]

Three Amigos will be dining at the K of C Friday afternoon around 5, and the next time I see my pic wearing anything but Blue and White and that Block I hat will be found burning on the 50 yd line at the Tank

are these the 3 Amigos you are talking about.........some of Ironton's finest..........



that fella in the middle has more "Chins" than a Chinese phone book............