Ironton gridiron classic to return in 2023 & expand to 2 day event.

[soggybottomtopper]

It hasn't been mentioned, but may be in the balance. With ESPN really getting into the high school game, what are the prospects that Ironton can put a big school matchup with a team like Moeller and IMG and get the ESPN money behind it. Seems like a huge opportunity for southern Ohio football! I can think of St. X, Elder and others just down the road that would draw GCL fans over as well. Great job by all! Can't wait to see it all come together.

[Lay the Wood]

Not sure how the Friday aspect would work with school and more people working that day. But I’m sure they have a plan. I had a great time at the event. The tailgating was fantastic. The games were great. Benedictine was way overmatched but respect to them. They played hard and with class to the final whistle. Moellar/ Olney game was awesome. I think there needs to be a bit more separation in game times. You want competitive games with fairly even talent. Add to that teams that might bring a decent following. I look forward to going again next year.

[MyBodyDifferent]

Fort Frye would be cool to add. They are always really good. Not sure how they travel though.

Would really like to see them in the tournament

Since it is Ohio vs other states how bout Fort Frye vs Raceland?
Or Fort Frye vs Cabell Midland?

It's crazy because Raceland is the school I had in mind really or one of the top smaller division schools from Pennsylvania

[THEEE_GAME]

Would really like to see them in the tournament

Since it is Ohio vs other states how bout Fort Frye vs Raceland?
Or Fort Frye vs Cabell Midland?

It's crazy because Raceland is the school I had in mind really or one of the top smaller division schools from Pennsylvania

Or Fort Frye vs Graham ( virginia) Ahmad Bradshaws alma mater. Matter fact Ahmad still roams the sidelines on gamedays. Graham has sent at least two D1 per season the last 2 or 3 years in a row. Have made it to state title or state semis multiple times. Ahmads namesake also was a senior last season and committed to Virginia Tech. Great small school that plays in one of the oldest rivalries every season in high school football - The Battle of the Bluefields - Bluefield High ( wv) vs Graham High ( Bluefield) Va. That game held annually at Mitchell Stadium in Bluefield smack dab on the border pulls in an average of about 13k in attendance. They are a small school ( about 400 kids), they have produced multiple D1 committs and a 2 time super bowl champ who is still VERY PRESENT in the program, ( ahmad bradshaw) and they are accustomed to huge atmosphere.

[THEEE_GAME]

Two day event. 3 games per day.

Day one: Friday.

Fort Frye vs Raceland ( ky)
Pick Central vs Louisville St Xavier ( ky)
Kirtland vs Martinsburg ( wv)


Day two Saturday

Lakewood St Edwards vs St Frances Academy ( maryland)
Cin Archbishop Moellar vs Dematha ( maryland)
Ironton vs Spring Valley ( wv)

[TigerMania]

Two day event. 3 games per day.

Day one: Friday.

Fort Frye vs Raceland ( ky)
Pick Central vs Louisville St Xavier ( ky)
Kirtland vs Martinsburg ( wv)


Day two Saturday

Lakewood St Edwards vs St Frances Academy ( maryland)
Cin Archbishop Moellar vs Dematha ( maryland)
Ironton vs Spring Valley ( wv)

This would be great. Everything Pendleton does or puts together is great.

[Beergogglebluez]

Two day event. 3 games per day.

Day one: Friday.

Fort Frye vs Raceland ( ky)
Pick Central vs Louisville St Xavier ( ky)
Kirtland vs Martinsburg ( wv)


Day two Saturday

Lakewood St Edwards vs St Frances Academy ( maryland)
Cin Archbishop Moellar vs Dematha ( maryland)
Ironton vs Spring Valley ( wv)

I don’t think that’s possible. School will be in session and 3 games on a Friday probably can’t happen. Love the lineup though. A lot of travel if schools in.

[Rams]

I would like to see a rematch between Ironton and 14 time state champion Beechwood Ky. I think it was 1998 in the infamous lights out game.

[522Pirate]

Two day event. 3 games per day.

Day one: Friday.

Fort Frye vs Raceland ( ky)
Pick Central vs Louisville St Xavier ( ky)
Kirtland vs Martinsburg ( wv)


Day two Saturday

Lakewood St Edwards vs St Frances Academy ( maryland)
Cin Archbishop Moellar vs Dematha ( maryland)
Ironton vs Spring Valley ( wv)

I don’t think that’s possible. School will be in session and 3 games on a Friday probably can’t happen. Love the lineup though. A lot of travel if schools in.

I’m not certain if there are specific rules governing it or not but we get out of school (Burg) several times for games or the next day when a game is far away. Without looking too deeply into it, seems like most of the time it is playoff games but I think there have been regular season games we get out as well.

[Beergogglebluez]

Super long shot but I’d like to see Lakeland Florida come to Ohio. I used to live there and every year that team is lights out. Get a good d1 school to ply them or D2. That area of Florida I lived in had amazing football. Lakeland, Kathleen high school, Haines city, lake wales. Too many to name

[TigerBob]

Two day event. 3 games per day.

Day one: Friday.

Fort Frye vs Raceland ( ky)
Pick Central vs Louisville St Xavier ( ky)
Kirtland vs Martinsburg ( wv)


Day two Saturday

Lakewood St Edwards vs St Frances Academy ( maryland)
Cin Archbishop Moellar vs Dematha ( maryland)
Ironton vs Spring Valley ( wv)

I don’t think that’s possible. School will be in session and 3 games on a Friday probably can’t happen. Love the lineup though. A lot of travel if schools in.

I’m not certain if there are specific rules governing it or not but we get out of school (Burg) several times for games or the next day when a game is far away. Without looking too deeply into it, seems like most of the time it is playoff games but I think there have been regular season games we get out as well.

It would just be a nightmare to host that many people on campus while school is in session. Parking, school security, resources, workers, etc. Just can’t happen.

I’d love to see this thing capped off with a Wheelersburg/Ironton nightcap. Couldn’t happen for a bunch of reasons, but would be fun.

[522Pirate]

So what I’m saying is…don’t have school that Friday

[Tjhtygeverve]

Super long shot but I’d like to see Lakeland Florida come to Ohio. I used to live there and every year that team is lights out. Get a good d1 school to ply them or D2. That area of Florida I lived in had amazing football. Lakeland, Kathleen high school, Haines city, lake wales. Too many to name

OSCEOLA KOWBOYS

[RBH23]

It hasn't been mentioned, but may be in the balance. With ESPN really getting into the high school game, what are the prospects that Ironton can put a big school matchup with a team like Moeller and IMG and get the ESPN money behind it. Seems like a huge opportunity for southern Ohio football! I can think of St. X, Elder and others just down the road that would draw GCL fans over as well. Great job by all! Can't wait to see it all come together.

Already been done.

Herbstreit kept this going for a number of years. Just too expensive for the traveling schools and too difficult on their fan base to make the trip.

https://www.fox19.com/story/5390864/mcd ... io-vs-usa/

[yabbadabbadoo]

What teams are playing in this this year? Isn't it this Saturday???

[MrPerfect]

The Ironton Gridiron Classic Presented by Schmidt Family Restaurant Group is THIS SATURDAY at Legendary Tanks Memorial Stadium.

Some of The BEST HS football teams in the country in IRONTON, OH…

8.26.23

1:00pm

#1 team in Canada going against traditionally the BEST football program in West Virginia in front of a nationally televised audience.

Clarkson North, Canada Martinsburg, WV.

4:00pm

Two National programs collide as one of the BEST programs in the country and the DMV will play against one of the BEST in Ohio in front of a nationally televised audience.

Dematha Catholic, MD Springfield, OH.

8:00pm

The night cap features two of the BEST programs in Southern Ohio going head to head in what has turned into a great rivalry as the last couple years the game has came down to final play.

Jackson, OH Ironton, OH.