An Early Look at the SEOAL: The 2008 Ironton Fighting Tigers

[loganlocos]

Ironton Fighting Tigers

Head Coach: Bob Lutz (36th Year, 326-68-4)
2007 Record: 5-5 (4-3 in the SEOAL)
Division: IV, Reg. 15
Returning Starters: 15 (8 OFF, 7 DEF)
Key Losses: Bub Johnson (HB/DB), Marc Carter (SE/DB), Taville Osborne (HB/DB), Felipe Beach (OT/DT), Wes Runyon (OG/LB), Nick Rodgers (OT), Jeremy Moore (OT), Nick Lewis (TE/DE)
Key Returnees: Jon Schweickart (QB/DE/DB), Major Brice (HB/DB), Chance Freeman (HB/DB), Erin Edens (LB), Tony Murphy (FB/NG), Keith Wetzel (FB/LB), Geoff White (C/DT), Chris Warner (OG/LB), Howie Lucas (OG/NG), Sam Cramblitt (OT/DT), Casey Jones (TE/DE), Jon Monning (TE/DE), Lukas Morris (SE/DB)

2008 Schedule:
Aug. 22 - AT Wheelersburg
Aug. 29 - VS Our Lady of the Way (Canada)
Sept. 5 - VS Gallia Academy *
Sept. 12 - VS Ashland (KY)
Sept. 19 - AT Logan *
Sept. 26 - AT Chillicothe *
Oct. 3 - VS Jackson *
Oct. 10 - AT Portsmouth *
Oct. 17 - AT Nelsonville-York
Oct. 24 - VS Warren *

Projected Line-Up:
Offense
QB - Jon Schweickart - 6'2 - 200lbs - SR
FB - Tony Murphy - 5'10 - 275lbs - SR
HB - Major Brice - 5'9 - 185lbs - SR
HB - Chance Freeman - 6'0 - 180lbs - SR
SE - Lukas Morris - 6'1 - 160lbs - SR
TE - Jon Monning - 6'0 - 160lbs - JR
OT - Sam Cramblitt - 6'0 - 280lbs - JR
OG - Howie Lucas - 6'1 - 210lbs - JR
C - Geoff White - 6'2 - 265lbs - SR
OG - Chris Warner - 6'0 - 200lbs - JR
OT - Robbie Webb - 6'4 - 220lbs - Soph
TE - Casey Jones - 6'3 - 205lbs - JR
Other Offensive Players:
FB - Keith Wetzel - 5'9 - 195lbs - JR
HB - Corey Dyer - 5'10 - 170lbs - SR
QB/SE - Ethan Preston - 5'11 - 150lbs - JR
TE/HB - Erin Edens - 6'1 - 190lbs - JR

Defense
DE - Casey Jones - 6'3 - 205lbs - JR
DT - Geoff White - 6'2 - 265lbs - SR
NG - Tony Murphy - 5'10 - 275lbs - SR
DT - Sam Cramblitt - 6'0 - 280lbs - JR
DE - Jon Monning - 6'0 - 160lbs - JR
LB - Erin Edens - 6'1 - 190lbs - JR
LB - Chris Warner - 6'0 - 200lbs - JR
CB - Major Brice - 5'9 - 185lbs - SR
FS - Lukas Morris - 6'1 - 160lbs - SR
SS - Corey Dyer - 5'10 - 170lbs - SR
CB - Chance Freeman - 6'0 - 180lbs - SR
Other Defensive Players:
DE/DB - Jon Schweickart - 6'2 - 200lbs - SR
DB - Ethan Preston - 5'11 - 150lbs - JR
LB - Keith Wetzel - 5'9 - 195lbs - JR
LB/DE - JP Taylor - 6'1 - 180lbs - JR

2008 Outlook:
After an uncharacteristic 5-5 season a year ago, Coach Bob Lutz and the rest of the Fighting Tiger coaching staff hopes that the "youth movement" of 2007 will pay off in 2008. With the return of all four starters in the offensive backfield and 4 of 5 starters on the defensive line, the orange and black appear ready to challenge for not only an SEOAL title, but to take on all comers in Region 15.

Offensively, the Tigers will stick with their power-t base offense, but with Jon Scweickart (6-2, 200) returning after a 1000 yard passing the Tigers could boast one of the league's most balanced attacks. Schweickart will miss the departed Marc Carter (31 catches in '07), but senior Lukas Morris (6-1, 160) should provide a deep threat for the Lawrence Countians.

Also returning in the backfield are fullbacks Tony Murphy (5-10, 275) and Keith Wetzel (5-9, 195) who combined for over 900 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns last season (14 for Murphy). Halfbacks Major Brice (5-9, 185) and Chance Freeman (6-0, 180) also return. Freeman was second on the team in rushing last season with 434 yards on 68 carries and 4 touchdowns, while Brice averaged over 4.5 yards per carry on 57 carries. Corey Dyer (5-10, 170) and Erin Edens (6-1, 190) provide depth at halfback.

Up front, the Tigers return 3 starters from tackle to tackle and also welcome back Casey Jones (6-3, 205) at end. Senior Geoff White (6-2, 265) will anchor the Fighting Tiger line at center with juniors Howie Lucas (6-1, 210) and Chris Warner (6-0, 200) flanking him at the guard spots. Junior Sam Cramblitt (6-0, 280) returns at one tackle while sophomore Robbie Webb (6-4, 220) is a leading candidate on the opposite side. Jon Monning (6-0, 160) will also see time at end along with Edens.

Defensively, Ironton returns 6 of their starting front 7 of a year ago including All-SEOAL noseguard Murphy. Joining Murphy in the trenches will be White (a returning starter) and Cramblitt will join him at the tackle spots. Rounding out the defensive line will be returning starters Jones and Monning at end. Schweickart and JP Taylor (6-1, 180) provide depth at end.

Wes Runyon, the Tigers top linebacker from a year ago was lost to graduation, but Edens is a returning starter and he will be joined in the starting line-up by Warner with Wetzel and Taylor providing depth.

In the defensive backfield, Brice, Freeman, and Dyer saw significant time on the field in 2007 and all will return this fall with Brice and Freeman likely slotted at cornerback. Morris is an early favorite at free safety, while junior Ethan Preston (5-11, 150) should provide depth.

The Fighting Tigers open with Wheelersburg and Our Lady of the Way from Canada to start the season before opening SEOAL play with Gallia Academy in week 3. The Tigers get Ashland at home in week 4, before back to back road games with SEOAL favorites Chillicothe and Logan where the Tigers SEOAL and playoff hopes could be decided.

Ironton will also get Jackson and Warren (for the first time) at home and will travel to Portsmouth in SEOAL play. Ironton will play perennial TVC powerhouse Nelsonville-York in Nelsonville during week 9.

[loganlocos]

Sorry I took so long to get his one up! The outlook should be up in a few minutes!

Enjoy!

[tigerdad]

LOOKS TO BE A GREAT NEXT 3-4 YEARS, THESE YOUNG MEN WORK HARD ALL SUMMER LONG IN THE HEAT, RAIN, AND IN THE WEIGHT ROOM. FANS COME OUT AND SUPPORT YOUR TIGERS FROM START TO FINISH. LETS SHOW THEM WE APPRECIATE ALL THEIR HARD WORK. GO TIGER'S

[Gray Fighting Tiger]

I expect good things from the Fighting Tigers this season. Very good things.

Don't bring me down.

[TrojanXplosion]

Looking forward to seeing Ironton in a game or so. They will be very hard to beat. Ironton could possibly be an early favorite out of the region they play in.

[Riverrat Tiger]

Good write-up Locos, I look for the Fighting Tigers to have the potential for a good season. We will see when they strap 'em up.

[BubbleGumTiger]

The Pine Tree gang is ready...........with JJ and Spanky and RRR leading the way................

[RiverRatRay]

I also agree, another good job by LoganLocos.

[SPANKY]

Great job loganlocos, thanks for your time.

NUFF SAID..........................

[LICKING COUNTY FAN]

Nice job on the post.

Good luck Ironton in 2008.

[ghostwriter]

Nice job LoganLocos....I enjoy all you early reviews....The Fighting Tigers will have a very good season this year....

[zebra77]

The Tigers should surprize some people this year, they will be better than most people think they will be. Still a little young, but a very dedicated and hard working group of kids returning, to Coach Lutz. They will definately be fun to watch!!!!

[Orange and Brown]

Can't wait to see them play in week nine.

[someoverkill]

From what I am hearing, it will not be a "suprise" to anyone if this team does well this year. Not many around Ohio will be suprised to see Ironton do well. they are and will continue to be a traditional powerhouse football team. yes they had a hiccup last season, but they had a few in the past and always came back strong. I look for at least 8 regular season wins this season and possibly a home playoff game for the Tigers.

[black76]

Agreed, not many will be surprised to see the Tigers do well this year, this is the beginning of the years when everyone wishes they were the coach!

[TrojanXplosion]

From what I am hearing, it will not be a "suprise" to anyone if this team does well this year. Not many around Ohio will be suprised to see Ironton do well. they are and will continue to be a traditional powerhouse football team. yes they had a hiccup last season, but they had a few in the past and always came back strong. I look for at least 8 regular season wins this season and possibly a home playoff game for the Tigers.

It is never a suprise to see Ironton do well because they ALWAYS are solid. Even though they had a .500 season last year they were still decent. I know of alot of teams that would love to be able to go .500 in a season. But, Ironton Football, since I have been around has always had really good football teams. After awhile you just get used to it. This year, I see the Tigers returning to what is expected of them and making a serious push for that State Championship.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

I'M SORRY GREAT JOB LOGAN LOCOS, AS ALWAYS. THANKS.

[ghostwriter]

Agreed, not many will be surprised to see the Tigers do well this year, this is the beginning of the years when everyone wishes they were the coach!

hummmmmmmmmmmm!!!!

[86Tiger]

I know it is still baseball season but I can't wait for friday nights watching my Tigers play. This will be my son's senior year so I will have mixed emotions all season but will be none the less excited. Go Tigers Go!!!!!!!!!!!

[kantuckyII]

I hadn't checked for a bit but I just did a few minutes ago and it's obvious by the swelling number of visitors recently to Irontonfootball.com that others are really looking forward to seeing the Tigers again too.