By Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

It has been said that variety is the spice of life. If that’s true, this year’s Ironton Classic should be cleaning out the spice rack.

The annual Ironton Classic has some strong matchups for both the boys’ teams as well as the Ironton girls’ team, plus a prep academy game between two traditional powers when the event gets underway Friday and Saturday.

Friday’s games begin at 4 p.m. with the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers playing perennial power Portsmouth Notre Dame.

At 5:45 p.m. the Fairland Dragons face the Russell Red Devils followed by Portsmouth and Spring Valley at 7:30 and then the host Fighting Tigers against Minford at 9 p.m.

On Saturday, the Ironton girls tip-off the action at noon against Portsmouth West.

South Webster goes against Expression Prep of Huntington, W.Va. at 1:45 p.m. followed by the prep schools Hargrave Academy vs. Mt. Zion Academy at 3:30.

“We have one of those powerhouse games. Everyone looks forward to seeing this teams play,” said Barnes.

“Mt. Zion beat Prolific Prep which was number one in the country until Mt. Zion beat them and now they’re number three. Mt. Zion wasn’t even ranked and they’re up to number 11 now.

“They have about six or seven Division 1 players. Hargrave is always solid. They always have some Division 1 players but I don’t know how they’ll do against Mt. Zion because they’re loaded.”

Spring Valley and Columbus Westland meet at 5:15 p.m. and then Ironton takes on Greenup County at 7 p.m.

“The prep academy games are great for fans to see, but, honestly, the local games are where we’re going to get our good crowds,” said Barnes. “Our opener with Minford is going to be a big one.

“We have Russell and Fairland, we have Portsmouth playing Spring Valley and Spring Valley was supposed to play Westland who was in our league in Columbus but they have a rule that won’t let them play out of state.”

Barnes used his connections to get the two teams scheduled to play each other in the Classic and work around the school’s out-of-state rule.

“Westland is a Division 1 school and Spring Valley is a big school. That should be a pretty good game,” said Barnes.

Another intriguing game is South Webster and Expression Prep.

“I think the games are going to be good and entertaining. For us being in the Classic and playing our first game will be like a home opener,” said Barnes whose team has yet to play a game due to many of the players being part of the Division 5 state championship football team.

“Minford reached the district finals last year. We had a chance to beat North Adams and then North Adams beat Minford in the district finals. Minford has two players going to West Liberty. They’ll be good. They may be the best team in the Southeast district.”

Admission is $10 for the entire day for adults and $6 for students.