The offensive and defensive scoring averages between the Ironton Fighting Tigers and Sandusky Perkins Pirates is too close to call.

Tuesday, November 30, 1999

The offensive and defensive scoring averages between the Ironton Fighting Tigers and Sandusky Perkins Pirates is too close to call.

Both teams have put points on the scoreboard this season and the defenses have been equally stingy. Maybe that’s why the two teams are meeting at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the Division IV state championship at Massillon’s Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

Ironton, 10-3, has scored 462 points in 13 games and allowed 158. The gives Ironton an average of 35.5 points scored and 12.2 allowed per game.

Perkins, 14-0, has rolled up 568 points for a 40.6 scoring average while allowing a 168 for a mere 12.0 average.

"You can’t compare scores or stats because we played different schedules," Ironton coach Bob Lutz said. "But looking at them I can see why they scored a bunch of points. They’ve got backs who run hard and have some speed, and they have some size up front. They’re a good team.

"Defensively they get after you. Their linebackers are the heart and soul of the defense."

Each team had at least one game in the playoffs in which the opposition was able to put points on the board against them.

Perkins beat Wickliffe 46-42 in the regional finals. Ironton beat Germantown Valley View 37-29 and last week allowed 24 points in its state semifinal win over Youngstown Cardinal Mooney, 34-24.

Perkins semifinal win was 21-0 over Oak Harbor, a team it beat 30-13 the ninth week of the regular season.

"Teams either get better or worse during the season. Obviously both teams have improved each week or they wouldn’t be here (in the championship game)," Lutz said.

Perkins was ranked second in the final AP poll. Ironton was 17th.