Tyler Kratzenburg and Steve Sisler (Tony Shotsky Southern Ohio Sports Photos)
We have a lot to talk about so let’s get started. First of all let’s talk about the Mud Bowl at The Tank last night. In what proved to be a toughy for the Tigers, especially in the first half when we were playing give away, The Tigers finally prevailed over the Trojans of Portsmouth 30-14.
The Trojans game plan was working to perfection as they were not just tackling the runner but going after the ball on every play. With 4 first half Ironton turnovers the Trojans kept the score at 8-6 Ironton at the end of a very sloppy first half of play.
The second half proved to be the downfall for Portsmouth as the Tigers came out and were not to be denied as Hager and White ran the ball down their throats for a final score of 30-14. Not only did this win solidify the playoffs for the Tigers it also gave them the series lead for the first time ever if my calculations are right.
Tyler Hager finished the night with around 200 yards on the ground along with a TD and Trevor White tacked on 2 TD’s and an extra point. Kratzenburg also score a TD on a 43 yard keeper.
Now let’s talk playoffs. Some say Johnstown Monroe some say Coshocton and I say Amnda Clearcreek. Who is it goingto be? The final say so comes tomorrow sometime. Right now it looks like Johnstown Monroe but they have two teams on their schedule who play today. Their final minimum average looks to be 22.4818 and should be good enough to pass Amanda Clearcreek who is sitting in the number 2 spot right now. All of Amanda’s teams have played and their final average is 22.2838 so Johnstown Monroe should pass them. That would make the Tigers traveling to Amanda Saturday to play the Aces. The final outcome will be known for sure Sunday afternoon when the OHSAA announces the pairings.
Chesapeake made the playoffs, even with the loss to Coal Grove, and are going to be sitting in the number 8 spot. They will be traveling to St Clairsville. Coal Grove failed to make the playoffs as they ended up in the number 10 spot in Division 5 Region 19. Lucasville Valley looks to play Ridgewood at home. Nelsonville York will be playing Crestview at home. Portsmouth West will be traveling to Grandview Heights in Columbus.
Division 4 Region 16. Our good friends up at Westfall made the playoffs and will be playing always tough Dayton Chaminade at home.
In Division 6 Region 23 Symmes Valley grabbed the 1st spot and will be at home against Trimble. East who are seeded number 3 will be at home against Bishop Rosecrans out of Zanesville.
The three top playoff contenders, year end and year out, are Newark Catholic, Ironton And Cincinnati Moeller. One of these three failed to make it this year. Newark Catholic will not be playing in the playoffs. Ironton will be making their 29th trip.
You have to forgive me if there are a few mistakes today as my desktop gave up the ghost and I’m not for sure I’ll get it back. This laptop and me just don’t see eye to keyboard. Until later on in the week stay warm and dry and we’ll see what the old Eye of the Tiger can come up with later on. Until then as always….
Go Tigers
Joe Holtzapfel
Ironton Fighting Tigers Football-Today and Yesterday 
That picture reminds me of the ’79 Jackson game. The field was a mess. I remember being in the locker room at halftime and having mud in my ears, eyes and mouth.
Big win for the Tigers but I am worried for them. You can’t keep winning when you are putting the ball on the ground. I understand the field conditions but that has plagued this team all year long. Hold onto the ball and make them stop you the old fashioned way. Don’t hand it to them.
I see we play at Amanda Clearcreek. I have heard of them over the years but never knew that we have never played them. What do you know about them Joe? Have they fared well in the playoffs?
A very storied program like ours. They have been in the playoffs several times and won the State Championship a couple of times if I’m not mistaken. Their coach of many years is now coach of the Chillicothe Cavaliers. His name is Ron Hinton, They opened their season this year at home against Bishop Hartley. Hartley beat them 30-22 if I remember right. This should be a very good game and not an easy one for Ironton.
One thing I believe I can safely say is that no playoff games are easy ones. After a ten game season, I don’t think a lot separates number one from number eight. Especially with the six divisions. It was a bit different when there were only three divisions. I would like to see someone go back to when the playoffs originally began and figure what divisions the teams would have been in had there been six divisions instead of three. For instance, I believe we would have been a division IV team and St. V would have been a division III team when we beat them. Same with the ’73 team when they lost to Benedictine. I also think the ’78 tream would have made the playoffs had there been six divisions intead of three.
I would say you are probably right about 79. We had to dress freshmen to get to 32 if I remember correctly and and V’s spread the field from the 50 on with all their players. I think Benedictine is a Div 1 school now and probably were close to that then.
The freshmen that were with us for that game were Mark Hixon, Rick Ferguson, Vince Murdock, Dave Morgan, Bruce Roach, & Mike Smith. They had played several games with us because I remember Mark Hixon scoring a touchdown in the Wellston game.
I was thinking Frankie McClellan was another.
You are correct.
You know I looked up Cleveland Benedictine and they are only a Div 3 school. Really surprised me to find that out. By the way, Billy Bruce called me yesterday and did that interview I think I told you about some time ago. Don’t know how that will turn out but now he is trying to talk me into doing a book. Not sure if I’m up to doing that.
I wonder if they would have been Division 3 back in ’73 compared to today? I think Benedictine was one of the bigger catholic schools in Cleveland then than they are today.