Tribune editorial staff

During the fall, many Lawrence County residents catch high school football fever. This weekend, more fans than ever are going to catch playoff fever.

Last week marked the end of the 2003 regular season and a record number of county high school teams qualified for the Ohio playoffs. While most counties of similar size are only sending one, or perhaps, two teams to the playoffs, five Lawrence County teams - Ironton, Rock Hill, Fairland, Symmes Valley and Chesapeake - will be playing postseason games either Friday or Saturday.

When the football season began, players and their coaches on every county team had dreams of making it to the playoffs. Five of our seven county schools realized this dream.

For Ironton fans, the playoff experience is nothing new as the Fighting Tigers have qualified for the playoffs 22 times, the second most in state history. They will play host to intra-county rival Rock Hill, making its second playoff appearance.

Chesapeake, making its sixth playoff appearance and third in a row, will host playoff regular Wheelersburg Friday night. The Symmes Valley Vikings, who qualified for their third playoff berth, will travel to Centerburg while Fairland, making its second playoff appearance, will play at Martins Ferry.

We salute all five of these teams for having outstanding seasons and wish all of them the best of luck. Unfortunately, the best we can hope for is four of the five teams advancing as either Ironton or Rock Hill will be eliminated.

Regardless of how this weekend's games turn out, we congratulate each and every player and coach on these teams for outstanding seasons.We are proud of each of these teams and are sure each will represent Lawrence County well.

We encourage residents in each of these school districts to get behind their team and cheer these young men on to victory.