UPDATE: FOOTBALL 2008 KICKS OFF

By Jim Walker/The Ironton Tribune

FOR THE FULL STORIES SEE SUNDAY’S TRIBUNE

Wheelersburg 23, Ironton 22

WHEELERSBURG — Andy Stegman, a 6-foot-5 wide receiver, outjumped Ironton’s 5-11 defensive back Chance Freeman in the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown reception with 33 seconds to play, and Aaron White added the extra point as Wheelersburg escaped with a 23-22 win Friday night.

The Pirates (1-0) took advantage of three Ironton fumbles to build a 16-0 first half lead before the Fighting Tigers (0-1) rallied to take a 22-16 lead with 3:01 to play on a 4-yard run by Keith Wetzel.

Meigs 18, Coal Grove 7

POMEROY — Jeremy Smith ran for 127 yards and three touchdowns as the Meigs Marauders beat the Coal Grove Hornets 18-7 Friday night.

Chris Brammer ran 29 times for 167 yards for the Hornets (0-1).

Zane Trace 26, Rock Hill 7

PEDRO — The Zane Trace Pioneers used a strong second half to snap a 7-7 halftime game and beat the Rock Hill Redmen 26-7 Friday night.

Portsmouth 28, South Point 15

PORTSMOUTH — South Point battled back from a 14-6 halftime deficit to take a 15-14 lead in the third quarter, but Portsmouth rallied to post a 28-15 win Friday night.

Symmes Valley 35, Racine Southern 3

WILLOW WOOD — Evan Herrell rushed for 151 yards, Kyle Bowen threw two touchdown passes, and the Symmes Valley Vikings amassed 353 yards rushing to rout the Southern Tornadoes 35-3 Friday night.

Portsmouth West 21, Fairland 0

PROCTORVILLE — Portsmouth West scored on the last play of the first half to take a 7-0 lead, then scored twice in the second half to beat the Fairland Dragons 21-0 Friday night.

Fairland (0-1) had just 70 yards offense, lost two fumbles, suffered an interception and had 90 yards in penalties.

Chesapeake 30, Oak Hill 29

Minford 42, River Valley 6

Logan 35, Lancaster 10

Waverly 54, Piketon 53

Lucasville Valley 38, Huntington Ross 0

Gallipolis 31, Athens 22

Zanesville 30, Newark 14

Warren 17, Belpre 10

Hilliard Darby 53, Marietta 14

Columbus Brookhaven 14, Chillicothe 7

Manchester at Green, night

Saturday

Jackson vs. Wellston

Zanesville Rosecrans vs. Portsmouth Notre Dame

Thursday’s Game

Sciotoville East 47, McDermott Northwest 0