It looked like the Lawrence County Buckeyes. In last week’s Ohio State vs. Northwestern game, three local runners were in the Buckeyes backfield.

At one time a “first” occurred as former Ironton players Tyler “Tank” Whaley and Marcus Williams were lined up in the I-formation. Whaley was the blocking fullback and Williams got three carries for 4 yards.

Former Rock Hill running back K.C. Christian got his first collegiate carry and it was Whaley who was the lead blocker.

Whaley has been used as a blocking back for the first team, too. He is also the backup center to Jim Cordle. Whaley wears No. 42, but his No. 54 jersey rests on the bench in the event it is needed.

Whaley still gets reps in practice at center.

600th victory

Ironton reached a milestone on Sept. 14 with its 20-14 overtime win over Jackson. The victory was the 600th career victory in school history.

Massillon is the all-time leader in wins with 774 followed by arch-rival Canton McKinley with 751.

Next comes Steubenville with 678, Fostoria 652, Warren Harding 629, Sandusky 628, Bellaire 627, Martins Ferry 617, Piqua 616, Hamilton 612, Troy 601, and Ironton, now 601-304-44 and ranked among the top 120 programs in the country.

Victory totals other than Ironton do not include this past weekend.

Troy and Piqua own the state’s longest running rivalry. Ironton and Portsmouth have played more games than any other two schools since they have played twice in a season on numerous occasions.

Ironton and Portsmouth would have the longest rivalry but the two teams did not play in 1964.

Fighting Tigers coach Bob Lutz has 344 career wins. He trails only Terry Malone (360) on Ohio’s all-time win list.

— Sinatra —

Jim Walker is sports editor of The Ironton Tribune.