The lead wasn’t as big, but it remained substantial.

Wednesday, October 03, 2001

The lead wasn’t as big, but it remained substantial.

Despite beating then No. 4 ranked Portsmouth 16-15 last week, the Ironton Fighting Tigers lost ground in the Associated Press Division IV poll.

Although Ironton’s first place votes climbed from 17 to 20 and the point total rose from 305 to 317, the Fighting Tigers lead dropped from 77 points to 50 over second place Licking Valley.

Youngstown Ursuline, the defending state champion, remained third with 224 points followed by Canton Central Catholic, Kenton, Germantown Valley View, Portsmouth, Cincinnati Wyoming, Coldwater, and Chagrin Falls.

Licking Valley received five first place votes, Kenton and Germantown three each, and Ursuline, Canton Catholic, and Coldwater one each.

Ironton’s 50-point lead was the exact same as Bedford Chanel over Columbus Academy in Division V. Big Walnut has the largest lead at 53 points over Copley in Division III.

Other division leaders are Warren Harding on Division I poll, East Liverpool in Division II, and Maria Stein Marion Local leads Mogadore by a scant one point in Division VI.

Wheelersburg was 17th in the Division V poll with 17 points.

Remaining at No. 1 will be difficult for Ironton. Besides Coal Grove, Dayton Dunbar, and Belfry, Ky., left on their schedule, the Fighting Tigers have a season-ending game at Columbus DeSales which is ranked fourth in Division III.