Three Tigers named to All-Ohio first team
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Three of Ironton's best players are among the best.
Fighting Tiger seniors Darius Lewis, Brandon Walker and Michael Phillips were named to the Associated Press Division IV All-Ohio first team Tuesday.
The trio helped Ironton to a 10-3 record and a berth in the regional championship.
Rock Hill senior running back K.C. Christian and South Point junior quarterback Chris Smith were selected to the AP Division IV All-Ohio second team.
Other area players were named to the All-Ohio special mention team:
Ironton senior fullback Jared Murphy, senior defense back Eric Layne and junior lineman John Pemberton; Fairland seniors Sam Huff, a wide receiver, and Adam Fuller, a running back; South Point senior defensive end Jeremiah Taylor; and Rock Hill senior linemen Jeremy Mays and Drew McCaffery and junior defensive back Josh Moore.
Lewis, a 5-foot-11, 220-pound running back, rushed for 1,041 yards during the regular season on 139 carries and scored 18 touchdowns in nine games. He was voted the Southeast District Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season.
Walker, a 6-2, 205-pound linebacker, was the Southeast District Defensive Player of the Year as he had 108 tackles during the regular season along with six quarterback sacks. Offensively, he led Ironton with 13 receptions for 390 yards and four touchdowns.
Phillips, a 5-11, 265-pound guard and defensive tackle, was Ironton's best lineman on both sides of the football.
Christian, a 6-foot, 190-pounder, ran 170 times for 1,306 yards and scored 17 touchdowns. He helped the Redmen to their first outright Ohio Valley Conference championship since 1968 along with a playoff berth.
Smith, at 6-3, 215 pounds, threw for 1,111 yards as he completed 91 of 181 passes for 11 touchdowns. He also ran 90 times for 324 yards and six TDs.
A complete list of the All-Ohio team appears on Page 12.