Bring some eye drops. You’re not going to want to blink.
If you blink, you could miss a lot of action as the Ironton Fighting Tigers host the Wheelersburg Pirates in the season opener on Saturday night.
The Pirates like to use a hurry-up offense and they like to utilize their speed and quickness not only on offense but defense as well.
“You have to be ready for anything and that’s tough to do when it’s the first game,” said Ironton sixth-year head coach Mark Vass.
“They have some good speed and quickness and they have very good skilled players. They aren’t as big up front on the offensive and defensive lines, but they move well.”
When you talk about good skilled players, the Pirates are expected to start 6-foot-1, 175-pound junior quarterback Trent Salyers. Last season the Pirates started junior Mack Dyer (6-2, 180) who led the team to a 10-0 regular season and was the Southeast District Division V Offensive Player of the Year.
Senor Cole Lowery (6-1, 180) also played some quarterback last season after starting the previous two years at Portsmouth. This season Lowery has been moved to the slot position.
Senior running back Dominic Reyes (5-6, 150) brings excellent speed to the running back spot and is a threat to not only get outside but break the big play at any time.
Junior Trey Carter (5-10, 150) and 6-6, 180-pound Tanner Holden are the wide receivers. Holden has been getting basketball offers and gives the Pirates an advantage with the “jump ball” pass.
Senior Nic Parsley (6-1, 215) is the center, senior Alex George (6-0, 195) and senior C.J. Hall (6-0, 215) are the guards while seniors Caleb Browning (6-1, 285) and Austin Johnson (5-8, 255) are the tackles. Senior Xander Carmichael (6-2, 220) will be the tight end.
Carmichael, Reyes, Hall, Holden and Lowery are all returning starters.
The Pirates prefer the 4-3 alignment on defense led by Carmichael at linebacker. His running mate is junior Evan Dahm (6-1, 210).
Senior Jeremy Cooper (5-8, 205) is back at one tackle and Hall returns at the other tackle. Parsley and George are the ends.
Lowery returns at one cornerback spot with senor Bryson Keeney (5-9, 145) on the other side.
Sophomore Evan Horsely (5-9, 180) is the monster with Holden and junior Trey Carter (5-10, 150) the safeties.
“It’s a typical Wheelersburg defense. They run to the ball well and they can put pressure on your quarterback,” said Vass.
Junior Jalen Miller (6-2,180) takes over the kicking duties with Carmichael the punter.
Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.