Ironton's Program - History

[ohbuckeye2]

That's my fault, it was to have said, regular season wins. As far as the tie, it's 'unbeaten streak' not win streak.

You are correct, I graduated in 82, we didn't lose a regular season game the entire time I was in High School. I was a Sophomore during the 79 State Championship win.

The 78 Team was something else, probably was the best Team Ironton ever had.

I also graduated in 1982. I guess I have completely lost my memory, which doesn’t surprise me, but I remember being a FROSH, when we won the state in 1979.

That was a very cold game to be a part of!!!

Incredible though.

Definitely was the foundation for what started the feeling of getting hosed in state finals.

ASVSM scores first early & during PAT, we get flagged.
They go for two & we STUFFED THEM. It continues to be a defensive battle & we force a turnover late & we drive about 80 yards with about 2-minutes left to knot it up.
They flag us AGAIN after we kick the PAT for the lead and make us Rekick.
They back it up 5 yards & we still nail the PAT for the STATE CHAMPIONSHIP OVER the highly rated and favored ASVSM Fighting Irish.

This begins many more “odd” calls that affect other state championship outcomes, that are just to strange to be ALL correct.

When your eyes see it and your gut feels it. ITS USUALLY TRUE!

However, that’s the year that establishes Ironton as the Powerhouse of SOUTHEAST OHIO FOOTBALL & puts the area on the map.

The rest is history & we’re not doing too bad now!

Gotigersgo!

We were Sophomores, look at the Roster

1979 Ironton Fighting Tigers
No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.
5 Steve Sutton QB-S 5-09 155 Jr.
7 Tim Hodges FB-LB 6-02 190 Sr.
8 Jeff Underhill QB-DB 5-10 160 Sr.
9 Brent Wilcoxon QB-DE 6-01 180 Jr.
20 Jimmy Morris RB-DE 6-02 170 So.
22 Craig Thomas E-CB 5-10 155 Sr.
24 Gabriel Lewis RB-CB 5-10 170 Sr.
26 Terry Royal RB-S 5-08 155 Jr.
28 Bruce Taylor RB-S 5-60 125 So.
30 Sam Bacon FB-CB 5-06 135 So.
33 Dennis Bacon FB-DT 6-01 195 So.
37 Brian Carter FB-CB 5-10 185 Jr.
40 Gene Williams E-S 5-11 165 Sr.
45 Jeff Jackson RB-S 5-09 145 Jr.
46 Dick Carter RB-S 5-09 140 Jr.
50 Adam Ainsworth C-LB 6-01 175 Sr.
55 Brian Rodehaver C-NG 5-11 180 So.
57 Scott Willis G-LB 5-09 185 Jr.
60 Darwin Conwell G-CB 5-09 175 Jr.
62 Patton Riffe C-LB 5-10 165 Jr.
64 David Clay G-LB 5-09 165 Jr.
65 Mark Dickess G-LB 5-09 165 Jr. Mark was a Sophomore too
67 John Lewis G-NG 5-09 160 Sr.
68 Eric Scior T-DT 5-09 175 So.
70 Rick Fritz T-DE 6-01 150 So.
71 Billy Allen T-NG 5-09 180 Jr.
72 John Moritz T-dT 6-03 190 Sr.
75 Joe Hacker T-DT 6-03 215 Sr.
76 David Kelly T-DT 6-03 220 sr.
77 Brian Jenkins T-DT 6-01 210 Sr.
78 Dale Spencer T-DT 5-10 165 So.
80 Jeff Crockrel E-DE 6-00 150 Sr.
81 Kent Koerper E-DE 6-00 150 Jr.
82 Lon Hilton E-DE 5-10 150 Jr.
83 Kraig Koerper E-DE 6-01 155 So.
89 Joe Fletcher E-DE 6-02 200 Sr.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

I reckon Ironton has lost the state championship game in just about every way imaginable.

that happens when you have been in like 8 of them.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

a really cool memory for me was as a sophomore for ironton in 1976. we were in Spartan stadium, in the locker room on the away side. getting ready to head out onto the field. we were right at the door ready to head out and we hear this uproar. Portsmouth had came crashing out of their locker room. they are all at our door carrying on. and then bam, our door flys open. and there stands the Portsmouth head coach. and he said ''bob lutz I have the best Portsmouth team I ever had. if we don't kick your a-- tonight, i'll quit'' and not even a split second later. I don't recall which one of our coaches it was responded by saying ''i'll see your a-- in the fing unemployment line Monday then'' our locker room exploded, and we crashed out the door into the Portsmouth players. and it was a wild scene under there till we all got out onto the field. and ironton won. it was a thrill i'll never forget.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

another great memory for me in 76 was. we played at Athens, if memory serves me correct. it was very cold, maybe even snowing. after the game. we all hit the showers, or so they thought. because we turn all the showers on for noise. outside the locker room was an indoor pool. we proceeded to run about 40 naked guys out the door. and we were all playing, and diving, and sliding across the ceramic floor acting out. the lights were out. you could see in there some, but dimly lit. I remember jim colegrove running across the floor and sliding on his butt, and there was this big rooster tail shooting up between his legs as he was sliding. we were having a blast.then all of a sudden we start hearing talking. then bam, all these lights come on. and here stands the Athens band outside the windows, the whole band, band director and the like. and you should have seen about 40 naked fighting tigers trying to get through a doorway at the same time. it was a hoot.

[Paulcrew]

Who'd have won between the 1989 ironton team vs 1989 burg team? Opinions?

Ironton 14
Burg way 12

[Tjhtygeverve]

You are correct, I graduated in 82, we didn't lose a regular season game the entire time I was in High School. I was a Sophomore during the 79 State Championship win.

The 78 Team was something else, probably was the best Team Ironton ever had.

I also graduated in 1982. I guess I have completely lost my memory, which doesn’t surprise me, but I remember being a FROSH, when we won the state in 1979.

That was a very cold game to be a part of!!!

Incredible though.

Definitely was the foundation for what started the feeling of getting hosed in state finals.

ASVSM scores first early & during PAT, we get flagged.
They go for two & we STUFFED THEM. It continues to be a defensive battle & we force a turnover late & we drive about 80 yards with about 2-minutes left to knot it up.
They flag us AGAIN after we kick the PAT for the lead and make us Rekick.
They back it up 5 yards & we still nail the PAT for the STATE CHAMPIONSHIP OVER the highly rated and favored ASVSM Fighting Irish.

This begins many more “odd” calls that affect other state championship outcomes, that are just to strange to be ALL correct.

When your eyes see it and your gut feels it. ITS USUALLY TRUE!

However, that’s the year that establishes Ironton as the Powerhouse of SOUTHEAST OHIO FOOTBALL & puts the area on the map.

The rest is history & we’re not doing too bad now!

Gotigersgo!

We were Sophomores, look at the Roster

1979 Ironton Fighting Tigers
No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.
5 Steve Sutton QB-S 5-09 155 Jr.
7 Tim Hodges FB-LB 6-02 190 Sr.
8 Jeff Underhill QB-DB 5-10 160 Sr.
9 Brent Wilcoxon QB-DE 6-01 180 Jr.
20 Jimmy Morris RB-DE 6-02 170 So.
22 Craig Thomas E-CB 5-10 155 Sr.
24 Gabriel Lewis RB-CB 5-10 170 Sr.
26 Terry Royal RB-S 5-08 155 Jr.
28 Bruce Taylor RB-S 5-60 125 So.
30 Sam Bacon FB-CB 5-06 135 So.
33 Dennis Bacon FB-DT 6-01 195 So.
37 Brian Carter FB-CB 5-10 185 Jr.
40 Gene Williams E-S 5-11 165 Sr.
45 Jeff Jackson RB-S 5-09 145 Jr.
46 Dick Carter RB-S 5-09 140 Jr.
50 Adam Ainsworth C-LB 6-01 175 Sr.
55 Brian Rodehaver C-NG 5-11 180 So.
57 Scott Willis G-LB 5-09 185 Jr.
60 Darwin Conwell G-CB 5-09 175 Jr.
62 Patton Riffe C-LB 5-10 165 Jr.
64 David Clay G-LB 5-09 165 Jr.
65 Mark Dickess G-LB 5-09 165 Jr. Mark was a Sophomore too
67 John Lewis G-NG 5-09 160 Sr.
68 Eric Scior T-DT 5-09 175 So.
70 Rick Fritz T-DE 6-01 150 So.
71 Billy Allen T-NG 5-09 180 Jr.
72 John Moritz T-dT 6-03 190 Sr.
75 Joe Hacker T-DT 6-03 215 Sr.
76 David Kelly T-DT 6-03 220 sr.
77 Brian Jenkins T-DT 6-01 210 Sr.
78 Dale Spencer T-DT 5-10 165 So.
80 Jeff Crockrel E-DE 6-00 150 Sr.
81 Kent Koerper E-DE 6-00 150 Jr.
82 Lon Hilton E-DE 5-10 150 Jr.
83 Kraig Koerper E-DE 6-01 155 So.
89 Joe Fletcher E-DE 6-02 200 Sr.

I have “SUDDENLY” been awakened. The Murky Cloud of Uncertainty suddenly is quite clear.
Especially when “someone” puts it in print, right in front of your eyes, that “YEP” you graduated with everyone in BOLD FONT!

So, I’m grateful & appreciative. [/B]...

Seeing this brings up many great memories!!! darn!

Gotigersgo!!!

Get the “BALL”!!!

[MrFirstTake]

Its crazy to see how small they were but I’m sure they made up for it in other areas

[14U]

A few seem to want to Hijack the Ironton/Portsmouth thread to discuss Ironton's program. Mostly it's a few Burg fans which puzzles me. I don't know that I've seen Ironton fans attacking Burg's wonderful program. A few might but..it was mostly in self-defense

While I'm here though....

Who has the 13th most wins in all the state of Ohio? that would be IRONTON

Who has the 3rd most playoff appearances of all the schools in Ohio? that would be Ironton

Who has the 11th most playoff wins all time in the state of Ohio? that would be Ironton

What school had the coach with the most wins in the state of Ohio? that would be Ironton and Bob Lutz

What school in the state of Ohio had the longest unbeaten streak? that would be Ironton, 1977 - 1983

Portsmouth beat Ironton to end the 64 game winning streak. It would have been 19-0 but Portsmouth coaches gave a safety to run clock and kicked off to have short field and scored 19-10 final. Why not just run the offense like we did for 3 3/4 quarters and run clock. That’s how Portsmouth got beat many times, coaches in tight game decisions killed them, lol

[14U]

I had family that lived in Ironton, lutz neighbor. I loved talking football with him. Being from Portsmouth ole coach would tell me that Portsmouth had more talent that year if they did! After that years game when I’d go back to visit he said that he beat the coaches not the players at Portsmouth. It took me years but after school watching from the stands with my Ironton buddies I played against. I seen how out coach other teams were. We would talk that if lutz was at Portsmouth he would have more State titles, only us old guys looking back. I love going and watching Ironton or Portsmouth play being independent and play anybody. So if one was away it was 2 plus hours I’d go to which ever stayed home that night

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

I so wish I could be there for this one.

[Football Historian]

Looking for the 1975 and 1999 Ironton - South Point scores

[loganlocos]

Looking for the 1975 and 1999 Ironton - South Point scores

According to the old IrontonFootball.com

1975:
Ironton 8, South Point 0

1999:
Ironton 71, South Point 6

[kantucky]

Isnt it wonderful to be an Ironton fan? I got to see 14 games (was out of town for one) this year. I dont know how many of my Friday's have been spent watching them Fighting Tigers take the field. I told coach Burcham once that he and Coach Lutz drug us from one end of the state ro another, year after year. Coach Pendleton is getting a good start on that practice

[Football Historian]

I have finished my preliminary work on Ironton History. There is work to do on early seasons but the record I have so far is: 691-366-47. I have Bob Lutz with 362 wins and I know this does not match what others have. The only thing that I can think off of the top of my head is that the 1978 Logan game is not being counted. In the statewide AP and UPI it is listed as a forfeit because the game was not played due to the teacher's strike in that area. Perhaps those un played Logan games were ruled no contests instead of forfeits?

[loganlocos]

I have finished my preliminary work on Ironton History. There is work to do on early seasons but the record I have so far is: 691-366-47. I have Bob Lutz with 362 wins and I know this does not match what others have. The only thing that I can think off of the top of my head is that the 1978 Logan game is not being counted. In the statewide AP and UPI it is listed as a forfeit because the game was not played due to the teacher's strike in that area. Perhaps those un played Logan games were ruled no contests instead of forfeits?

The 1978 Logan game is a no contest. Ironton may have missed the playoffs b/c it did not count as a win for the Tigers.



Now - the 1927 Logan/Ironton game is a whole other can of worms in regards to forfeit VS no contest.