The Chesapeake Panthers Mark Lafon protects the ball from the South Point Pointers’ Chris Zornes in a January 1988 game. (The Ironton Tribune | File photo | Ray Saviciunas)

An aerial view shows the crowd beginning to fill Marshall University’s stadium on Sept. 7, 1991, the date of the Thundering Herd’s first game in the new facility, which replaced the previous Fairfield Stadium. (The Ironton Tribune | File photo | Mike James)

The 1946 Cleary Brothers Trucking Co. baseball team is seen behind the Moose Lodge after earning second place in the Ironton Twilight League. Team members included, from left, first row, Mac Thomas, Dave Davis, Bob Riedel, Ray Payne and Fuzzy McMakin; second row, Gene Slaughter, Paul Kratzenberg, Dave Edwards, Dode Wisenberger, Phil Roseberry and Jim McMakin. The team ended the season with a 7-5 win-loss record and one tie. (The Ironton Tribune | File photo | Courtesy of Jim Thomas)

Seen here are senior standouts from area schools, chosen for the Ironton Tribune’s 1992 football season preview. Seated, from left, are Bobby Sheffey of the Green Bobcats, Chuck Jones of the St. Joe Flyers, Paul David Knipp of the Rock Hill Redman (who now serves as Lawrence County auditor), John Pinkerman of the Coal Grove Hornets, Ryan Crump of the Chesapeake Panthers and Brent Snyder of the Fairland Dragons; standing, Brian Topping of the Coal Grove Hornets, Chad Hawee of the Wheelersburg Pirates, Mark Malone of the South Point Pointers, Walt Delong of the Ironton Fighting Tigers, Chris Thacker of the Chesapeake Panthers, Joe Leith of the Ironton Fighting Tigers, Michael Blagg of the Rock Hill Redmen, Mark Smith of the St. Joe Flyers and Mark Edmunds of the Symmes Valley Vikings. (The Ironton Tribune | File photo | Mike James)

Rock Hill Redmen fullback Scott Turley (32) tries to break out of the tackle by a pair from Oak Hill during a 1998 game. (The Ironton Tribune | File photo | Kent Sanborn)