Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

It could be staying ahead vs. staying alive.
The Ironton Fighting Tigers are needing a win to stay unbeaten and in first place in the Ohio Valley Conference race.
The Rock Hill Redmen — in a four-way tie for second — are needing a win not only to throw the league race into a tie but keep from falling two games back with three to play.
The battle for position will be Friday at Rock Hill as the Redmen (5-1, 2-1) host the Fighting Tigers (3-3, 3-0).
Both teams are coming off wins. Ironton stunned Chesapeake 28-12 while Rock Hill overcome some injuries to easy beat South Point 36-13.
Ironton coach Mark Vass said there aren’t any breathers in the OVC race and playing the Redmen on their home turf will make their task even more difficult.
“They’re a pretty good team and a veteran team,” said Vass. “They run the ball well and execute well. We had a tough game with them last year and it’ll be just as tough this year.”
Rock Hill has outscored opponents 230 to 92 while Ironton has scored 115 points and allowed 101.
The Redmen running game is balanced with five different players average more than 6 yards a carry.
Senior fullback Trystan Matney (6-1, 195) has 449 yards on 74 carries for a 6.1 average. He leads the team with 12 touchdowns.
Senior halfback Brady Knipp (6-0, 185) missed last week’s game but still has 444 yards on 73 carries for a 6.1 average and six touchdowns.
Coming on strong the past four games is freshman Logan Hankins (5-10, 165) who has 477 yards on 47 attempts for a 10.1 average and four scores.
Sophomore quarterback Mason Darby (6-5, 170) has carried 38 times for 317 yards and an 8.3 average with six TDs. Senior Tim Adkins (5-9, 165) averages 7.7 yards a carry with 255 yards on 33 tries. He has three touchdowns.
“It’s hard to focus on one or two players. They spread the ball around and it wears on your defense,” said Vass.
Up front the Redmen had freshman T.J. McGinnis (6-0, 225) at center, sophomore Cameron Donohue (5-11, 220) and freshman Tristan Delong (6-0, 220) are the guards, junior Cameron Barnette (6-1, 225) and senior Cameron Haas (6-2, 215) are the tackles with senior Nate Malone (6-0, 180).
The wide receivers are Adkins and junior Corey Shope (6-0, 175).
“Rock Hill has a lot of returning starters, but they have some younger kids, too. They’re a lot like us in that respect,” said Vass.
The Redmen also pose a problem on defense. While they lack size, Vass said they have quickness and speed and are always around the football.
“They’re defense is very aggressive. They run to the ball. They’re always on the attack,” said Vass.
Freshman Ethan McClaskey (6-0, 200) and Donohue are the tackles with Malone and Haas the ends.
The inside linebackers are Barnette — a three-year starter — and Eli Matney (5-9, 200) with senior Tanner Martin (6-2, 185) and Hankins on the outside.
The secondary hs senior Tyler Damron (6-0, 170) and Knipp the corners and Trystan Matney the free safety. Adkins is also in the rotation at corner.
Kickoff is 7 p.m.