Two teams that like to run are about to run into each other.

When the Jackson Ironmen visit the Ironton Fighting Tigers in Friday’s homecoming game, a lot of similarities will surface, much like last season when Ironton won a ground-oriented game 20-14 in overtime.

While Ironton’s running game centers around the running of halfback Chance Freeman and the blocking of halfback Major Brice, Jackson has a 1-2 tandem of fullback Klay Arthur, a 6-foot, 190-pound senior, and halfback Cody Huff (5-10,180), also a senior.

“Huff has pretty good speed and their fullback runs hard and blocks well. They only throw it between five to 10 times a game, so you can see they like to grind it out,” said Ironton coach Bob Lutz.

In a 27-20 win over Waverly, Huff ran 40 times for 259 yards and three touchdowns. Arthur still managed to carry 19 times for 60 yards.

Huff also ran 29 times for 182 yards in a 21-20 win over Portsmouth and he had 21 carries for 189 yards in a 36-28 loss to Gallipolis.

In the loss to Gallipolis, Jackson (5-1), 2-1) turned the ball over three times.

“(Jackson) led Gallipolis 28-14 and they blew a coverage and let a Gallipolis receiver get behind their secondary for an 80-yard touchdown. I can see how that would happen. We did it twice against Logan,” said Lutz.

“Jackson fumbled the ball away in their own territory and Gallipolis scores to take the lead. We know how that happens, too.”

Jackson uses two quarterbacks and both are good athletes, Josh Brown (5-11, 175) and Tyler Boggs (6-0, 150).

Boggs also doubles with Kevin Speakman (5-9, 114) at flanker.

The tight end is Brandon Trace (6-0, 190), Tyler Glassburn (5-11, 225) is the center, Adam Jones (5-8, 160) and Ryan Speakman (6-0, 245) are the guards, and Ryan Hughes (6-2, 280) and Jon Waugh (6-0, 255) are the tackles.

Lukas Lindamood (6-3, 170) and Derrick Meredith (5-10, 145) are the split ends.

The Jackson 4-4 defensive alignment had FrankieMapes (6-0, 245) and John McManis (5-11, 240) at the tackles, Ryan Klingaman (6-0,180) and Hughes the ends, Huff and Eric Landrum (5-10, 180) the outside linebackers while Trace is inside along with either Nathaniel Haller (5-11, 205) and Adam Jones (5-8, 160).

The secondary has Lindamood and Boggs at the corners and Meredith at safety.

One other similarity is the importance of the game toward the postseason playoffs.

Each team would like a win to secure a coveted amount of computer points that would go a long way toward qualifying for the postseason playoffs.

Jackson sits eighth in Region 8 of Division II. The Ironmen are worth 24 points on the first level.

Ironton (3-3, 1-2) is also eighth in Region 15 of Division IV and has a value of 15.5 points on the first level.