D4 - Region 15: (#7) Sparta Highland at (#2) Ironton

[Gray Fighting Tiger]

... i wonder if 2 teams from the same league have ever won state before?

I think the MAC has actually had it happen more than once.

[Gray Fighting Tiger]

Should be a great day for football. Weather.com is saying not a cloud in the sky and low to mid 60s. From what I've heard, Highland runs a full house T formation just like the tigers, so the ball probably won't be in the air much. Ironton should roll in the this one, but they have to show up to play. Go Tigers!!!

I read on a certain other forum that they run from a pro set. Regardless, I think Coach Lutz and the staff will have Ironton's defense well prepared.

[Gray Fighting Tiger]

Wow, that's a long drive for the Highlanders.

Let's see, once they reach I 71 [looks to be just a few miles], then it's I 71 S to I 271 around Columbus to US 23 S, to US 52 E - and EVERY MILE of the way is 4-lane divided highway!!
How many trips have all Lawrence and Scioto Co teams made to playoff games that involved travel on 2-lane Rt 93 or Rt 7, or that took close to 5 hours? That kind of trip is considered "usual" for us southern teams; but when a northern team has to travel to us it's considered a terrible hardship!!

Here's an example of the mentality teams such as Ironton face:
A poster on one of those other infamous forums actually suggested that if Ironton and Amanda-Clearcreek would meet in the regional finals, the game should be held at Ohio Stadium. That apparently is his idea of a nice neutral site midway between the teams involved.

[judge_smales]

^^^^^^^Actually......how about Lancaster you guys have made that trip a few times....

[kantuckyII]

I can certainly understand why they're so upset but..they knew that going into the season that the bottom four travel and that they were in Region 15 but Ironton fans know from experience that always doesn't soothe it over either

According to Irontonfootball.com (I love that site ...and I haven't really looked at all the games yet ) it would appear that Martin's Ferry topped them as having the longest drive to Tank Stadium for an opening round game. In 2000, Martin's Ferry's team and fans made the 248.01 mile, 3 hours and 58 minute jaunt (according to Map Quest) only to witness their team dismantled by a score of 43 - 7. Bet that was a long drive home?!

[buckeyefan2010]

I am willing to bet they have never been any place like Tank Stadium!

tank stadium is very tough to play in...i am a nelsonville player and i just remember all the noise from the fans its UNREAL lol ive never played in a place that loud or crazy.....it deffinetely affects the playing, i remember one specific play where (tres wilks) ((dont know if i spelled that right)) but the kid hurdled over top of one of our players right by irontons sideline and the stands went NUTS i was on the field it was unreal how loud they were

[tk421]

I just saw the article on the Tribune website about the game. The Highlanders have a small O-line. I've never seen them play, but I didn't think they'd have that big of a size difference. That's a huge advantage for Ironton.

http://irontontribune.com/news/2009/nov ... ror-image/

The Scots biggest lineman is right tackle Dustin Eichom who stands 6-1, 256. Left tackle Ethan Zuber is 6-5, 220, but the next biggest linemen are center Jason Belz at 6-0, 204 and end Matt Stooksbury at 6-4, 200.

[tigerdad]

Go Tigers, Show them what the seoal teams are all about.

[Tiger Man]

I have put a lot of mile on my cars driving to watch my TIGERS play. It seems that Ironton is always made to travel the extra distance when it come to a "neutral" field.

I don't care where the TIGERS play, I will be there.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

same here tiger man, they are playin , i'm watchin.

and size does matter with linemen and backs. a good big man, will have his way almost always with a good small man. the line needs to maintain their blocks for about 3 seconds , thats al we'll need.

[Tiger Man]

Right you are YTB

Take care of the ball, stick with the game plan, and...........

HIT SOMEBODY!!!!!


GO TIGERS GO

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

FIGHTING SCOTS , WHATCHA GONNA DO , WHEN TIGERMANIA RUNS WILD ON YOU , BROTHER.

[TIGERS90]

What a fun weekend this should be...I am going up to watch the mighty sweat bee's on friday...enjoying a superbowl victory party for my boy's team on Saturday afternoon and the watching the Tigers on Saturday evening...can't get too much better than that...Go Tigers....

[philthyphil]

Nothing tops playing ASVSM in the Rubber Bowl in 1979. Talk about getting shafted!

[Tiger Man]

Phil; the drive was bad but the victory was as sweet as it gets.

I was a student in the stands and some ASVSM fans were teasing our group. Laughing at us for our long travel and about the loss we were suffering. After the win I was a very poor winner as I rubbed it in as good as I could. Then I laughed all the way home!

GO TIGER GO

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

i was outta school. but same here.

[BubbleGumTiger]

Phil...........TigerMan...........TigerBait..........


glad to see you enjoyed it...........gotta luv you guys...........

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

turkey how many danged posts do you need to get your d. i'll never make 30, 000. at this rate.

[kantuckyII]

I read on the same article where Sparta's coach was saying something like he didn't want his players on the line caught up with how big Ironton's line is and rely on their speed instead. Well, I think they'll be disappointed to find that Ironton's line isn't just big and made of slugs, them boys can flat out move too!

[TIGERS90]

Bait and Turkey...my goodness...you two must stay online...That's a lot of posts...can't say I haven't enjoyed reading most of them...keep up the good work...I love reading everything about the tigers...

Kentucky...let them think what they want...I went up to Clear Creak Friday...and not to say they aren't a good team...but they aren't on our boy's level...if our boys don't have a total meltdown like the Ashland game...we shouldn't have too bad of a time unless someone else in our region is tougher than them...Our line should give most teams fits...and our quickness in the secondary is going to be too much for any team...can't wait til Saturday...should be a good time at the tank and bob lutz field...