Ironton Fighting TIGERS 2009

[callmespidy]

what do you think about the players and how far the team will go.

[tigermama]

This is an excellent group of young men and I believe they will go far in the play offs this year. Good luck Ironton!

[ItownBrowns]

I think the potential is there for a fairly good season. I like the experience and size on the offensive line. As coach will tell you it all starts up front. Ofcourse the offensive backfield is a different story. There is little varsity experience there but they do have some talent that will have to really prove themselves in preseason. I have'nt seen any must start gamebreakers so guys who block, run and take care of the ball best will play the most. Defensively I'town has some nice interior linemen and I liked what I saw out of some young lb's last year. As usual though, end and secondary will dictate how well this unit performs. Todays game is speed and attacking the outside. I'town has not faired well recently with teams that have good perimeter speed. I still think this unit can be pretty good this year. Lastly I'town has another very impressive schedule. Playing SEOAL teams along with Burg, Russell and Ashland is a tough task. Hopefully the regular season prepares this team for a lengthy playoff run. Hard to predict how far they can go, I would like to at least see Ironton back to playing for regional championships but it will be very difficult in this region.

[tigerdad]

These tigers will be geting some playoff experience again this year, Some of them have already been hitting the weight room and they are going to be strong in the backfield and on the line, I see a great year for wetzel and edens. there is a lot of strong returning players moving up also that has the talent to take us far. GO TIGERS!!

[thecoach]

I think the potential is there for a fairly good season. I like the experience and size on the offensive line. As coach will tell you it all starts up front. Ofcourse the offensive backfield is a different story. There is little varsity experience there but they do have some talent that will have to really prove themselves in preseason. I have'nt seen any must start gamebreakers so guys who block, run and take care of the ball best will play the most. Defensively I'town has some nice interior linemen and I liked what I saw out of some young lb's last year. As usual though, end and secondary will dictate how well this unit performs. Todays game is speed and attacking the outside. I'town has not faired well recently with teams that have good perimeter speed. I still think this unit can be pretty good this year. Lastly I'town has another very impressive schedule. Playing SEOAL teams along with Burg, Russell and Ashland is a tough task. Hopefully the regular season prepares this team for a lengthy playoff run. Hard to predict how far they can go, I would like to at least see Ironton back to playing for regional championships but it will be very difficult in this region.

i agree with pretty much everything you said. i wouldn't worry about the RBs though. Ironton's line and the their two fullback have a lot of experience. the halfbacks will do fine.

[coachb]

I coached a young man at South Point Pee wee and then he transfered to Ironton for 7th/8th grade. Dion Brown was his name. Great kid with tons of talent. Is he playing HS this year?

[cant stop this]

He will be a freshman.Doubt he will play varsity.Will be one of the fastest kids in the school next year if not the fastest.If he played,I would guess only in special circumstances i.e. kickoff returns or deep patterns on offense.Still very young.

[buckeye_master]

do you all think you will get passed nelsonville york this year ?

[ohbuckeye2]

I think Irontons backfield will be just as good as last years, if not better. I think the QB position will be more mobile and alot faster running the ball, which will allow for the option play. There's alot of running backs to choose from this year, it's just a matter who steps up their game and works the hardest during the off season.

QB's----Ethan Preston (12), Tommy Waginger (11) either one will be good.

HB's and FB's----Keith Wetzel (12), Erin Edins (12), JP Taylor (12), Courtney Lewis (11), Tres Wilks (11), Brian Warner (11), Ethan Preston (12), There were some really good Sophomores to be that will be in the mix also.

[ohbuckeye2]

:122246 do you all think you will get passed nelsonville york this year ?

How many returning starters does Nelsonville have coming back? I really like Arnold but how is the line going to be?

[Orange and Brown]

:122246 do you all think you will get passed nelsonville york this year ?

How many returning starters does Nelsonville have coming back? I really like Arnold but how is the line going to be?

Not sure how many starters are coming back but we have some good athletes that are ready to step up this year. I think the O-line will be able to hold there own and are D should be very good if not the best in the TVC. Arnold will get his caries but look for NY to throw the ball a little more!

GO BUCKS GO!!!!!!!

I am really looking forward to this game!!!!!!!

[zebra77]

The Tigers return all but 2 on the O-line and the kids playing this year are all good players, the D-line should be more active this year and really reek havoc in the opponents backfield, add to that some experience in the O back field and the D backfield and this years version of the Tigers will be a formidable force in SE Ohio. This group of SRs. are tough and want to win, also have alot of leadership on and off the field.


GO TIGERS !!!!!!!

[pembrook burrows III]

I am not concerned about the offense - it will be fine. Ironton's soft underbelly in recent years has been the defense. It has not been able to stop the best teams on its schedule. The "D" has to dramatically improve for Ironton to get anywhere near its past excellence. To do that, I think the team needs less size, and more speed and agility, than in recent years. When the opposition spreads the field on us, our size and strength get neutralized. Except for maybe our tackles, we need more guys to get down under 210 if they want to play on defense. Perhaps one of our most active kids on defense last year was Mike Lamb, and he was listed at 205. Also, our base 5-2 is not a good matchup for teams that spread the field. Quaterbacks that can pass and run have been unstoppable for the Tigers. The Wheelersburg game will give us an idea early whether we have repaired this problem. I am reserving judgment until then on this year's squad. But I am keeping my fingers crossed.

[Tigercannon71]

Pembrook, I agree on some of what you said. The D-Line wasnt very aggresssive last year. They need to get after the QB a lot more. Our Defense hasnt been very aggressive in the past couple of years.
Overall I think this team has a lot of hard workers and the mentality they have had for the past few seasons is gone and these guys really wnat to win.
I look for them to do big things this year.

[ohbuckeye2]

I remember one game in particular, Courtney Lewis was put in the game at Nose Guard for a few plays and he was able to put alot of pressure on the QB with his speed and ability to get past the linemen. I wonder if he could be put into that position this year. I think a mix of speed and size on the line would help the Defense out considerably.