Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

Mark Vass is hoping that the Friday Night Lights won’t be too bright.

With one of the youngest and most inexperienced teams in Ironton football history, the Fighting Tigers’ second-year head coach is concerned how his team will react to playing in a varsity game against a quality team when the score counts.

“The scrimmage games are over. We play for keeps from here on out and it’s going to be a challenge for our young guys,” said Vass whose team has just three returning starters.

“Young players tend to get caught up in that deer in the headlight look. They tend to watch the game instead of playing it, and they don’t always react well because they aren’t used to playing at the varsity level where the game moves so much faster.”

The game will not only move faster because it is at the varsity level, but also because Ironton’s opponent in Friday night’s season opener is the Wheelersburg Pirates who employ a no-huddle offense.

Besides offering a different speed in running plays, the Pirates also have plenty of speed once the play begins.

Leading the Pirates spread option offense is senior quarterback Eddie Miller III (6-2, 185) and senior wide receiver Dylan Miller (6-4, 180). Eddie Miller was the Southeast District Division V offensive player of the year last season.

“Both the Millers are good athletes,” said Vass. “The quarterback does a great job of reading the defense on the option and he does a good job with the passing game. The other Miller is a big target. They put a lot of pressure on the defense.”

The running game also has a returning veteran in Tyler Claxon (5-10, 155) and returning starter Cameron Parsley — Eddie Miller’s cousin — can play tight end or shift to the backfield to give the Pirates a big back. Parsley is 6-2, 205.

“Wheelersburg is one of the better teams we’ll play, and that’s saying something because we have such a tough schedule. They have size, speed and a lot of experience and those are all things you can’t teach,” said Vass.

Ironton’s dominance in the series is facing a tough challenge. The Fighting Tigers lead the series 17-5. They have won 11 of the last 15 including four straight.

Wheelersburg has been ranked as high as No. 3 in some preseason polls. Both Ironton and Wheelersburg are in Division V this season as Ohio expanded its postseason playoffs to seven divisions.

 

 

Wheelersburg vs. Ironton

Friday at Ironton

Tanks Memorial Stadium

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

Gates Open: 5:45 p.m.

Admission: $6 adults, $3 students/seniors (general admission). Reserve seats $7.

Ticket Sales: Ironton City Hardware until 2 p.m. Friday or high school auto shop until 3 p.m. daily. Game night at Conley Center ticket window only.

Student season tickets: $12 at each school in advance (available for 2 weeks only)