GAHS travels to Ironton Friday
evening for non-league encounter
Gallipolis hopes to fight back from a disappointing loss to Licking Heights last Friday evening when the Blue Devils travel to Ironton for another non-conference football game on Sept. 7.
It will be the 56th meeting between the two schools. Ironton holds a commanding lead over the Blue Devils with 43 wins against 12 setbacks, including 15 out of the last 16. Last GAHS varsity grid win over the Tigers was 14-7 at Ironton six years ago.
It will be Ironton’s home opener at Tanks Memorial Stadium. IHS is unbeaten in two starts on the road, having downed Wheelersburg 32-27 and Russell, Ky., 47-21. GAHS enters the 7:30 p.m., contest with a 1-1 record. Gallia Academy beat Athens 52-34 at Athens in its opener on Aug. 24. The Gallians lost their home opener to Licking Heights last Friday, 21-7.
After two games, Ty Warnimont leads the Blue Devils offensively and defensively. On offense, Warnimont has gained 162 yards in 12 trips for a 13.5 average. He’s scored two rushing touchdowns. Warnimont has caught three passes for 34 yards. Defensively, Warnimont has 10 initial tackles, 16 assisted tackles, one sack, a quarterback hurry-up and recovered one fumble.
Usually a ground-pounding team under former Coach Bob Lutz, this year’s Tiger team under new coach Mark Vass can also pass the pigskin. In last week’s win over Russell, Ky., IHS rushed for 490 yards in 48 trips, and passed for 37 yards for a total of 527 yards while permitting only 260 total yards. Ironton out first downed Russell, 25-17.
Big gun so far for Ironton has been Patrick Lewis, a 5-10 senior halfback weighing 174 pounds. Lewis totaled 328 yards in the game against Russell. He carried the ball 12 times for 241 yards and scored touchdowns on runs of 66, 68, 49 and 45 yards. The 68 yarder was a punt return. Lewis caught two passes for 21 yards.
Dion Brown, 6-1, 205-pound senior halfback-safety is probably Ironton’s best athlete. A pre-season injury has kept the IHS star on the sidelines offensively thus far, but he is playing defense. Last year, Brown rushed for 72 yards on three trips and scored the Tiger’s only TD in a 6-0 victory over GAHS. He also caught a pass for 44 yards.
Other outstanding players for Ironton this fall include Tanner Schweickhart, 5-11, 210-pound senior fullback-linebacker, Trevor White, 6-3, 210-pound senior halfback-defensive end, and Jalen Schweickhart, 5-9 senior quarterback-safety.
Against GAHS last year, Ironton rushed for 152 yards and passed for 133 yards for 285 total yards. GAHS did out first down the Tigers last year, 14-11 and ran 62 plays to Ironton’s 49.
Kicking for Ironton this year is Jalen Schweickhart.
After Friday’s game, Gallipolis will travel to Marietta on Sept. 14 for a non-league game. Ironton will host Ashland, Ky., the same night.
Ironton to host GAHS Friday
- YOU'RE TIGER BAIT
- SEOPS Hippo
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Re: Ironton to host GAHS Friday
t-bait...Just talked to Coach LaFon...He's got a real problem on the pressbox request...GAHS has two radio stations and a TV station wanting requests for the press box, not including the Gallipolis Tribune...He's gonna check with GAHS athletic director to see who should be accomodated...If I can't get in for stats and it rains, I'm in deep trouble...Haven't decided who I'm coming down with Friday. It will be either Tom Morgan who does the Gallia TV or Mike Brace, who takes pictures on the field.Anyway, we'll try to get down there early anough to get a parking place in the church lot across from the stadium.
Re: Ironton to host GAHS Friday
Jottings, just curious, in case of inclement weather and u dont get in the pressbox, why dont you set under the covered side and rain wont be a problem.......there is always plenty of seating in the north side of the stadium next to the band-stand......and I promise u none of the Tiger fans will bother u.........
- YOU'RE TIGER BAIT
- SEOPS Hippo
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Re: Ironton to host GAHS Friday
Jottings wrote:t-bait...Just talked to Coach LaFon...He's got a real problem on the pressbox request...GAHS has two radio stations and a TV station wanting requests for the press box, not including the Gallipolis Tribune...He's gonna check with GAHS athletic director to see who should be accomodated...If I can't get in for stats and it rains, I'm in deep trouble...Haven't decided who I'm coming down with Friday. It will be either Tom Morgan who does the Gallia TV or Mike Brace, who takes pictures on the field.Anyway, we'll try to get down there early anough to get a parking place in the church lot across from the stadium.
JOTTINGS, YOU'VE MISUNDERSTOOD ME MY FRIEND.
i wasn't asking to be in the press box, and i'm very good friends with mr. lafon. i was just asking if you wanted to talk for a few minutes prior to the game.nothing important, just chatting. i just ain't seen you in awhile. sorry for the misunderstanding.i thought maybe we could meet by a goal post or something.maybe a half hour prior to the game or something.
- YOU'RE TIGER BAIT
- SEOPS Hippo
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Re: Ironton to host GAHS Friday
t-bait...I'll be coming down with Mike Brace Friday. I didn't misunderstand about meeting somewhere prior to the game. If we park in the church lot, we'll come in on the one side. Once I see where I'm gonna be located, we should be able to chat some. Leo Byrd said if all fails in the press box, room might be available near where the band oi located under a roof.
- Blue_Steel
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- YOU'RE TIGER BAIT
- SEOPS Hippo
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