By Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

Ironton 32, Wheelersburg 27

WHEELERSBURG — Patrick Lewis made two big plays early and the Ironton Fighting Tigers used two long, time-consuming drives late to beat the Wheelersburg Pirates 32-27 in Friday’s season opener before a capacity crowd in Ironton coach Mark Vass’ coaching debut.

Lewis returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown to christen the Pirates’ newly renovated stadium that includes field turf. Lewis also stripped a receiver and returned the fumble 65 yards for a score and it was 14-0.

Tanner Schweickart and Trevor White had short touchdown runs in the second half to put the game away for Ironton.

Pirates’ quarterback Eddie Miller ran 22 times for 104 yards and two scores and completed 22 of 30 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown with an interception.

 

 

Coal Grove 24, Meigs 6

ROCK SPRINGS — The Coal Grove Hornets took control in the second half and beat the Meigs Marauders 24-6 Friday in the season opener.

Coal Grove led 12-6 at the half on a 23-yard run by Brandon Hogsten and a 2-yard plunge by Isaiah Gunther.

Alex Bare hit Aaron Wilson with a 28-yard scoring pass and Kyle Estep scored from 7 yards out as the Hornets outscored Meigs 12-0 in the second half.

Coal Grove had 319 total yards including 272 on the ground. Hogsten ran 11 times for 93 yards and Estep had 83 yards on 20 attempts.

 

Fairland 34, Portsmouth West 14

PROCTORVILLE — The Fairland Dragons stunned the Portsmouth West Senators 34-14 on Friday in the season opener.

The win for Fairland was just the fourth in the series that dates back to 1981.

The Dragons fell behind 7-0 early and then scored 28 straight points. Chance Short was 8 of 15 passing for 93 yards and two touchdowns while Nathan Campbell had 61 yards on nine carries to lead a balanced running game that generated 186 yards rushing.

Tyree Ceasar ran 12 times for 43 yards. Campbell and Ceasar each scored twice.

 

Symmes Valley 28, Eastern 13

REEDSVILLE — Alec Herrell and D.J. Miller combined for more than 300 yards rushing and four touchdowns as the Symmes Valley Vikings opened the season with a 28-13 win over the Eastern Eagles on Friday in the season opener.

Herrell ran 18 times for 156 yards. He had 55 yards just before the end of the half and then ran 49 yards early in the fourth quarter.

Miller carried 15 times for 151 yards and scored on a 10-yard run in the third quarter and from 46 yards out to cap the scoring. The Vikings finished with 364 yards on 51 carries.

 

 

Oak Hill 33, Chesapeake 7

OAK HILL — The Chesapeake Panthers’ couldn’t get their offense on track and lost 33-7 on Friday in both team’s season opener.

The Panthers managed just 80 total yards including 54 yards rushing on 27 attempts. Jacob Collins ran 11 times for 58 yards.

Chesapeake’s only touchdown came on an 80-yard punt return by Javon Thompson in the third quarter.

Oak Hill had 382 total yards with 285 coming on the ground. Wes Harden ran 19 times for 161 yards and a touchdown. Devon Davis added 113 yards on 16 carries while quarterback Drew Haislop was 3 of 8 passing for 97 yards.

 

Point Pleasant 57, South Point 0

POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — The Point Pleasant Big Blacks built a 44-0 halftime lead and coasted to a 57-0 win on Friday and spoiled the coaching debut of South Point’s Rick Marcello.

Point Pleasant rushed 40 times for 463 yards and quarterback Aden Yates hit 4 of 5 passes for 105 yards giving the Big Blacks 573 total yards.

Anthony Perry ran five times for 120 yards, Teran Barnitz carried nine times for 119 yards and Marquez Griffin added 79 yards on three carries — all for touchdowns.

Larry Brandon carried nine times for 56 yards to lead the Pointers.