WHEELERSBURG — A second quarter surge put Wheelersburg ahead, but key scoring and defense in the second half made sure the Pirates secured a 69-59 win over the Valley Indians in a Southern Ohio Conference game on Friday night. Due to the snow and ice that ripped through the region, the Pirates hadn't taken the floor since last Friday where they suffered their first conference loss to Waverly. But the long lay off turned into a positive for Wheelersburg coach Alex Prater, as h

WHEELERSBURG — The unpredictability of the Southern Ohio Conference continues to rear its head. After suffering a string of tough losses last week — including one to Wheelersburg just 7 days ago at home — the Waverly Lady Tigers returned the favor with a 44-41 win over the Lady Pirates on Monday night. The win was a relief to Waverly coach John Bonifield, as his Lady Tigers suffered through 3-straight tough losses going into this game. "It feels great in two aspects. It's

WAVERLY — Sometimes you have to find a way to win. For the Wheelersburg Lady Pirates, they had to find their way past the Waverly Lady Tigers for a 45-39 win in a tough and physical Southern Ohio Conference game on Monday night. The game was definitely a rough and physical one, as the teams combined for 41 fouls and the teams combined for 51 fouls shots in the game. As a result, Callie DeHart found herself in foul trouble just three minutes into the game and had to sit for mu

RACELAND — A dominating defensive effort and long range shooting provided the right mix needed for the Wheelersburg Lady Pirates to roll their way to a 63-42 win over the Raceland Lady Rams in the final game of the Ryan Keeton Exp Realty Ohio River Classic. Callie DeHart delivered a 21-point performance to lead the Lady Pirates. The senior hit 4 shots from behind the arc, had 4 rebounds and 4 steals. Jaylinn Prather finished with 11 points and 5 boards. Lainey Skeens hit 3 t

WHEELERSBURG — Some key defensive stops, coupled with a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter proved to be the edge needed for the Wheelersburg Pirates to knock off the Ironton Fighting Tigers on Tuesday night in clash of Southeast Ohio rivals. After the game, Pirates coach Alex Prater was very satisfied with the effort by the defense to stop Ironton's high-scoring offense. "You know we hadn't played well defensively in our first two games. Ironton came in with a ton of talent, play

2025 BATTLE OF THE 740 SCHEDULE  (all games at Shawnee State University) Saturday, Dec. 13  * 11 a.m. - Meigs Eastern vs. Symmes Valley * 12:30 p.m. - Piketon vs. Northwest  * 2 p.m. - Southern vs. Portsmouth  * 3:30 p.m. - Columbus Africentric vs. Huntington High (W. Va.)  * 5 p.m. - Fairfield vs. Valley * 6:30 p.m. - Harvest Prep vs. Chesapeake  * 8 p.m. - Chillicothe vs. Fairland  Sunday, Dec. 14 * 12 p.m. - Hillsboro vs. West  * 1:30 p.m. - Huntington vs. Rock Hill * 3 p.

COLUMBUS – The Division IV and V football All-Ohio teams were announced Tuesday by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association.   Information used for the All-Ohio teams comes from the regular-season accomplishments and does not include playoff games. The seven districts of the OPSMA determine the all-district teams and nominate their best for the All-Ohio teams.   On Wednesday, the Division II and III All-Ohio teams will be announced, followed by the Division I team on Thursday.

CANTON — One way or another, Wheelersburg's memorable playoff run was set to come to an end. Unfortunately, it just didn't end the way everyone wanted. The Liberty Center Tigers used a diverse attack on offense and the defense stymied the Pirates to win 35-3 and claim the Ohio Division 5 state championship on Saturday night at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The win completed the Tigers quest to bring home a title after finishing runners-up in the previous two seasons. The t

WHEELERSBURG — One more time for it all. The Wheelersburg Pirates will put it all on the line one final time on Saturday night when they square off with the Liberty Center Tigers in the Ohio Division 5 state championship game at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton. Both teams come into the game with loads of experience and a hard-nosed styles of play. Wheelersburg (14-0) comes into the game on the back of their defense, which has been the hallmark of this team all season long. On th

Act now to take advantage of our Christmas Special! No coupon code needed! WHEELERSBURG — After shrugging off a slow start, Wheelersburg Lady Pirates used a barrage of 3-pointers and a deep bench to power their way past the Symmes Valley Lady Vikings 62-31 on Monday night in a non-league crossover game between Southern Ohio Conference teams. "I felt like we got caught watching too much," said Wheelersburg coach Dusty Spradlin. "I thought we were good in spurts. Second half, I

2025 OHSAA Football State Championships Preview   Division I   St. Xavier By Mike Dyer, Cincinnati WCPO-TV   The St. Xavier High School football team has earned its eighth state final appearance in program history.   The Bombers (11-2), ranked No. 3 in the MaxPreps Ohio rankings, are seeking their fifth state championship. This Friday night is the first time St. X has competed in a state final in Canton since 2007.   St. X won the 2020 state title at Fortress Obetz and the 20

WESTERVILLE — There were two parades this week. On Thursday, it was the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and on Friday, it was the hit parade. Pads were poppin' and licks were being laid when the Wheelersburg Pirates overwhelmed the Cardinal Mooney Cardinals with their physical style of play to win 24-10 in the Ohio Division 5 state semifinal at Westerville Central Stadium. Wheelersburg improves their record to a perfect 14-0 on the season with the win and will head to Canton to pl

WHEELERSBURG — Finally. It’s the Final Four. After 10 regular season games and 4 more playoff weeks, the Final Four of the Ohio High School Athletic Association football playoffs get underway at 7 p.m. Friday and two of the four teams in Division 5 as the Wheelersburg Pirates and Youngstown Cardinal Mooney Cardinals at Westerville Central High School. For the Pirates, the perfect regular season is the fourth under head coach Rob Woodward and first since 2017. Now in his 18th

COLUMBUS — It took 7 years, but it sure was worth the wait. Strong play by both the offensive and defensive lines of Wheelersburg, and a big game from Elijah Brown proved to be the difference as the Pirates blanked the Nelsonville-York Buckeyes 41-0 on a wet Friday night to claim the Ohio Division 5 regional championship. The Pirates' dominant performance was perfectly highlighted by their play in the trenches. Offensively, the Pirates churned out 247 yards on the ground and

WHEELERSBURG — You can almost hear the late, great Olivia Newton John singing, “Let’s get physical.” Wheelersburg Pirates head coach Rob Woodward has been watching film of this week’s opponent and the one facet keeps rising to the top. “I haven’t seen every game they’ve played, but in the ones that I have been able to watch they are definitely more physical than their opponent,” said Woodward. “That’s allowed them to be at the 12-0 record that they are.” Wheelersburg and the

Wheelersburg Lady Pirates’ senior volleyball standout Grace Woodward signed a national letter-of-intent to play for Coker University. Attending the signing ceremony were: seated left to right, mother Mariah Woodward, Grace, and father Rob Woodward; standing left to right, brother Graer Woodward, and sisters Gradie Jo Woodward and Greta Woodward. WHEELERSBURG — The volleyball life of Grace Woodward may be “from the womb to the tomb” experience. The Wheelersburg Lady Pirates se

WHEELERSBURG - Different year.  Different round.  Different players.  Different venue.  But, still same result - now four football postseasons running. That's because, for the fourth consecutive state playoffs, the Wheelersburg Pirates put an end to the Barnesville Shamrocks' season - and this time they had the opportunity to put Barnesville to bed in the Pirates' seniors home finale.  With Wheelersburg scoring 36 of the final 42 points over the game's final 32 minutes and 16

WHEELERSBURG — As New York Yankee legend Yogi Berra once said, "It's deja-vu all over again." For the fourth-straight postseason, the Wheelersburg Pirates and the Barnesville Shamrocks will lock horns with a chance to advance in tournament play on Friday night at Ed Miller Stadium. Overall, this will be the fifth meeting between two programs rich in football tradition. The first ever meeting took place in 1992 with the Shamrocks winning 10-7 in an overtime thriller in the sno

WHEELERSBURG — The Wheelersburg Pirates made a lasting impression on the Morgan Raiders. The first meeting ever between the two schools was Friday in the Division 5 Region 19 quarterfinals and the Pirates pulled away in the second half for a 43-3 win. Wheelersburg is now 11-0 — thanks to its 10th unbeaten regular season — and will host Barnesville next Friday in region semifinals. Morgan (7-5) went 3-and-out to start the game and then Wheelersburg drove 56 yards in 9 plays wi

2025 Ohio Prep Sports Media Association Southeast Ohio All-District Football Team DIVISION 2 Special Mention: Carson Tottle, Logan ____________________ DIVISION 3 First Team Offense  QB — Owen Riley, Marietta, 6-1, 185, Sr; Bodhi Wolford, Jackson, 6-2, 195, Sr; Mason Dumpert, Hillsboro, 6-1, 180, Sr; RB — Cartae Ligon, Chillicothe, 6-1, 190, Soph; Julian Baker, Miami Trace, 6-1, 190, Jr; Logan Russell, Sheridan, 6-2, 195, Jr; Anthony Sutton, Athens, 5-9, 155, Sr; WR — Logan H