It’s just a matter of time before Ironton football coach Bob Lutz breaks the Ohio high school record for most career wins.

That time just might be at home.

Lutz is sitting on 359 wins in his 40-year career. With two home games remaining, Lutz could tie the record if Ironton beats Portsmouth this Friday and then break the record with a win next week against Nelsonville-York.

“Career wins are about longevity. The only win that concerns me right now is Friday. We need a win to make the playoffs and to keep winning in the league. Friday is about our team and our players, not me,” said Lutz.

Terry Malone, the long-time coach at Hamilton Badin, retired with 360 career victories. Lutz entered the season with a 354-80-5 record and Ironton is 5-2 this season including 3-1 in the SEOAL. He is 339-74-4 in 37 years at Ironton and he was 20-8-1 in three seasons at Ironton St. Joseph.

Portsmouth is also 5-2 and 3-1 in the league.

“Given our past history with Portsmouth, there are no guarantees we’re going to win. We have to play well,” said Lutz.

Lutz’s first game as a head coach was Sept. 5, 1969, at Meigs. St. Joseph lost 28-14 to the eventual SEOAL champions. He got his first win the following Friday at Chesapeake, 26-2.

His milestone 300th career win was 43-8 at home against Dayton Dunbar on Oct. 12, 2001.

Ironton has qualified for 27 postseason playoffs. His teams won state titles in 1979 and 1989 and he also has six runner-up seasons — 1973, 1982, 1988, 1992, 1993 and 1999.