Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

It’s being called a rematch, but that might not be totally true.

While Ironton played the Wheelersburg Pirates in the season opener, the Fighting Tigers have a different look than in that initial meeting.

They’ll do it all again at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Wheelersburg in the Division V Region 17 quarterfinals.

Running back D’Angelo Palladino ran for 141 yards and Ironton’s lone touchdown in the 14-6 loss but has missed most of the season due to an injury.

Also sidelined in recent weeks is two-way end Lucas Campbell, two-way lineman Levi Langdon and defensive end Tanner Wilson.

Ironton outgained the Pirates by 100 yards but had 92 yards in penalties.

“They’re a good team and they’ve improved since the first game,” said Ironton coach Mark Vass.

“We’ve improved but there is a difference. They pretty much have the same team as the first time plus a few more are playing and we’re playing with a lot of new players because of injuries. It’ll be quite a test for us.”

Ironton (6-4) has been the only real test for the Pirates who are 10-0 and finished ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press Division V poll. They led the Region 17 computer ratings while Ironton was eighth.

Vass said the Pirates have an offense that has a lot of different looks and makes preparation very difficult.

“They like to mix it up,” said Vass. “They will start in the spread, then switch to a power formation and then back to the spread. They try to dictate your personnel and they try to control the tempo.”

Quarterback Kyle Davis is 73-of-102 passing for 1,116 yards and six touchdowns with four interceptions. He ran 75 times for 516 yards for a 6.9 yards per carry average and he has scored 12 touchdowns.

Senior running back Jordan Howard has 110 attempts for 713 yards — a 6.5 average — and he leads the team with 15 touchdowns.

All-purpose back Chasen Burk ran 55 times for 308 yards and six scores while catching 28 passes for 352 yards. He also has a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Jake Darnell had 11 receptions for 221 yards and two TDs. He has 54 tackles on defense.

“They have a lot of good skilled players and it’s not just their starters. They have good depth and they use a lot of guys,” said Vass.

Speaking of defense, senior lineman Sam Hall has 32 tackles — 14 solo stops — and linebacker Xander Carmichael has 40 solo tackles and 65 overall. Jeremy Cooper leads the team with five sacks and Howard has seven interceptions.

Wheelersburg has scored 413 points on the season and allowed just 64. Ironton has put 213 points on the scoreboard and permitted 169.

Ironton is virtually a “three yards and a cloud of dust” offense and throws enough to keep the defense honest.

Fullback Desmond Young leads Ironton with 805 yards on 151 carries and 15 touchdowns.

Andrew Barker has carried 120 times for 518 yards and three scores while Garrett Carrico has 350 yards on 51 carries for a 6.9 yards per carry.

Quarterback Jake Isaac is 45-of-98 for 687 yards and six touchdowns. Travis Carry has 16 receptions for 208 yards and two scores.

Ironton’s opponents have a combined 58-41 record and Wheelersburg’s foes have a 47-49 record overall.

 

Ironton Fighting Tigers Offense

Pos. Player No. Ht. Wt. Gr.

TE Travis Carey 6 6-04 165 Sr.

Eli Willis 20 5-11 155 Jr.

LT Levi Langdon 68 6-04 295 Jr.

Dylan Redmond 71 6-01 235 So,

LG Ronnie Artis 67 5-08 215 Sr.

C Brock Midkiff-Sands 66 5-08 250 Sr.

RG Tyler Webb 74 6-06 300 Jr.

RT Hayden Robinson 76 6-03 300 Sr.

TE Ryan Bryant 87 6-04 225 Fr.

Eli Willis 20 5-11 155 Jr.

RB Garrett Carrico 9 5-11 175 So.

D’Angelo Palladino 22 5-11 200 Sr.

FB Desmond Young 32 6-01 230 Sr.

RB Andrew Barker 30 6-01 200 Sr.

QB Jake Isaac 7 6-00 175 Jr.

PK Tre Neal 82 5-09 140 Jr.

 

Ironton Fighting Tigers Defense

Pos. Player No. Ht. Wt. Gr.

DE Jaxson Pleasant 49 5-09 180 So.

DT Tyler Webb 74 6-06 300 Jr.

Brock Midkiff-Sands 66 5-08 250 Sr.

NG Eli Willis 20 5-11 155 Jr.

DT Hayden Robinson 76 6-03 300 Sr.

Levi Langdon 68 6-04 295 Jr.

DE Ethan Duncan 40 5-10 180 Fr.

Ronnie Artis 67 5-08 215 Sr.

LB Desmond Young 32 6-01 230 Sr.

LB Andrew Barker 30 6-01 200 Sr.

CB Chase Rowe 37 5-08 175 Jr.

CB Garrett Carrico 9 5-11 175 So.

S Travis Carey 6 6-04 165 Sr.

S Jake Isaac 7 6-00 175 Jr.

P Travis Carey 6 6-04 165 Sr.

 

2015 Results

Ironton 6 Wheelersburg 14

Ironton 14 Russell, Ky. 18

Ironton 19 Beechwood, Ky. 35

Ironton 0 Ashland, Ky. 41

Ironton 42 Portsmouth 20

Ironton 35 Fairland 0

Ironton 13 Coal Grove 6

Ironton 28 Rock Hill 13

Ironton 21 Chesapeake 14

Ironton 35 South Point 8

Record: 6-4 (6-0 OVC)

Wheelersburg Pirates Defense

Pos. Player No. Ht. Wt. Gr.

DE Gabe Whitley 9 6-00 180 Sr.

DT Jeremy Cooper 35 5-08 185 So.

DT Sam Hall 67 6-04 285 Sr.

DE Eli Whitley 52 6-00 225 Sr.

LB Xander Carmichael 32 6-02 200 So.

LB Clint Hatfield 42 6-01 185 Jr.

CB Kyle Davis 2 6-00 175 Sr.

CB Jake Darnell 31 6-00 175 Sr.

S Jordan Howard 21 5-09 185 Sr.

S Wyatt Henderson 4 6-02 165 Sr.

S Chasen Burk 8 6-02 180 Sr.

P Xander Charmichael 32 6-02 200 So.

 

Wheelersburg Pirates Offense

Pos. Player No. Ht. Wt. Gr.

HB Jake Darnell 31 6-00 175 Sr.

LT Brady Newsome 79 6-02 320 Sr.

LG Eli Whitley 52 6-00 225 Sr.

C Lyden Collins 53 6-01 265 Jr.

RG Sam Hall 67 6-04 285 Sr.

RT Colin Ahad 65 6-02 285 Jr.

TE Clint Hatfield 42 6-01 185 Jr.

QB Kyle Davis 2 6-00 175 Sr.

SB Chasen Burk 8 6-02 180 Sr.

RB Jordan Howard 21 5-09 185 Sr.

PK Daylor Lewis 25 5-07 170 Jr.

 

2015 Results

Wheelersburg 14 Ironton 6

Wheelersburg 42 Fairland 8

Wheelersburg 42 Portsmouth 0

Wheelersburg 42 N. College Hill 7

Wheelersburg 28 Jackson 7

Wheelersburg 48 Oak Hill 0

Wheelersburg 56 Waverly 3

Wheelersburg 47 Minford 6

Wheelersburg 35 Lucasville Valley 13

Wheelersburg 56 Portsmouth West 14

Record: 10-0 (4-0 SOC)