2025 Football Preview: Ironton Fighting Tigers

IRONTON — So, what do you do for an encore? How about going back-to-back?

The Ironton Fighting Tigers are coming off the Division 5 state championship which was the third in the program’s history. Fans are already thinking about winning the title a second straight season.

Although Ironton lost a lot of players from that state title team, head coach Trevor Pendleton knows his team has some solid talent but he applied the brakes.

“We lost a lot of production, but we bring back a lot of kids that played a lot of football,” said Pendleton as he enters his eighth season. “They might be playing different positions but they are kids who have been out there and played under Friday night lights.

“They understand what it takes and their roles are going to be magnified and they’re going to have to step up and take on a little more bulk of the load but they are very capable and we’re excited to see them do it.”

Ironton was 15-1 last season and beat Liberty Center 28-17 in the state title game. Missing from that team is the Ohio Preps Sports Writers’ Division 5 Offensive Player of the Year Shaun Terry, first team defensive lineman Aiden Layne and defensive back Josh Johnson, second team All-Ohio quarterback Braden Schreck and offensive lineman Bowen Gossett.

Terry is playing at Missouri, Johnson at Penn State, Layne and Gossett at Morehead State and Schreck signed with Finlay.

Pendleton must fill those holes and look to mold the team into championship form in order to even think about winning a second straight title. As for now, he’s focused on now.

“Our whole focus is to go one-and-oh. Our guys have heard enough about the rat poison, the long term goal. We always talk about take care of the now and everything else will take care of itself,” said Pendleton.

“We’re taking care of the short team goal. We’re just chipping away at that. We’re just trying to go one-and-oh each and every week. We’re excited about the schedule. A lot of good opportunities. I think we’re going to be battle tested, especially early. We’re going to be battle tested for the playoffs.”

Pendleton said this year’s senior class has what it takes to lead and that last year’s senior class will still have a bearing on how well this year’s team will perform.

“We have a very good senior class. A lot of them have played three years, some of them even four years. They’ve been around the block and they understand what they need to do and what it takes to win,” said Pendleton.

“(Last year’s seniors) laid the foundation of how you’re supposed to lead the team. If these guys can take that and run with it they’ll be just fine.”

QUARTERBACK

Starter: Junior Kayden Edwards (5-11, 180): The heir apparent, Edwards spot played last season while also playing some wide receivers. An excellent runner with a good arm, Edwards will be a dual threat.

“Kayden Edwards has taken the lion’s share of the first team reps. He’s done a great job with it. He’s going each and every day with it,” said Pendleton.

Backups: sophomore Brock Biggs (6-2, 190), freshman Wyatt Wolfe (6-2, 175), sophomore Brian “Bubby” Kidd (5-10,170).

Pendleton: “They’re all getting some reps there and doing a lot of good stuff and a lot of positive things. They’re all competing with each other. They’re all making each other better with each rep and that’s what it takes to be successful.”

Starter: RUNNING BACK

Senior Zayne Williams (5-9, 205):

Backups: junior Tyler Carmon, senior Kylan Grace (5-10, 215), junior Tyson Harvey (5-10, 175), freshman Easton Caudill (5-11, 185).

Pendleton: Williams and Carmon were out top two leading rushers last year. Grace was a 1,500-yard rusher (at Hurricane, W.Va.), and you’ve got some young guys like Tyson Harvey and Easton Caudill who are very dynamic. Our running back room is as deep as I’ve ever seen in Southern Ohio and we’re really excited to use all of them.”

WIDE RECEIVER

Gone is the Ohio Preps Sports Writers’ Division 5 Offensive Player of the Year Shaun Terry to Missouri along with Tyler Roach and Nick Sites. There are plenty of candidates to fill these spots.

Starters: Senior Braydon Baker (5-10, 180), senior Maddix Markel (6-1, 190), junior Brycen Mullins (5-10, 175), junior Bryson Kerns (5-11, 170).

Pendleton: “We’ve lost two of our starting wide receivers and Nick Sites who had a lot of production last year, But we bring back some guys who played a lot of football there and some guys that are really stepping into their own. Obviously, Braydon Baker, Brycen Mullins, Maddix Markel are taking on more of a role at receiver. And you’ve got Bryson Kerns will be in the mix. This group will be really exciting and the depth of that group will shock a lot of people.

“It’ll definitely be by committee but they’re all capable of making plays and we’re excited to see them with the ball in their hands.”

OFFENSIVE LINE

Center: junior Carter Bridges (5-9, 240),

Pendleton: “Carter Bridges started out the state championship game for us and Barkley Litton moved to guard for that game. Carter is a returning guy, a very good snapper, plays with great leverage, understands the scheme and gets everyone in the right position.”

Backups: junior John Weaver (6-0, 220), junior Jase Williams (6-0, 205), senior Zander Hurn (6-1, 210).

Pendleton: “We have three or four guys who are capable of playing center.”

Guards: senior Mason Wheeler (6-0, 240), Hurn, junior Carson Akers (6-0, 235), Bridges, Weaver, Jase Williams (6-0, 205), Ben Gilliams (6-2, 285), junior Ethan Sutton (5-10, 205).

Tackles: senior Caleb Jacobs (6-4, 285), Akers, sophomore Luca Silva (6-6, 270)

Tight end: Wheeler

Pendleton: “The O-Line is kind of interchangeable. There are guys playing tackle who are going to jump and play guard and jumping back out and playing tackle. It is what it is. Mason Wheeler who’s going to be playing a dual role. He’s going to play guard and tight end. He’s very athletic for his size. Ben Gilliams is a road grader down in there. Ethan Sutton does everything you ask and knows what everyone is supposed to be doing. We’ve got to get healthy up there. Those guys have got to continue to get better each and every rep and push each other.”

DEFENSIVE LINE

“We’ve been based out of the three-man front ever since I got here. We’ve got some guys we can go to a four-front. We can jump into it pretty easily.

Ends: Wheeler, junior Braiden Linn (5-11 220), junior Silas Edwards (5-10, 210), and Caudill.

Nose guard: Jacobs, senior Aiden Hensley (5-10, 210),  Akers, Guilliams, and Hurn.

Pendleton: Aiden Hensley is really excelling on the defensive side of the ball. Easton Caudill is a freshman who is very dynamic. Jacobs is definitely in shape to go both ways. Early in the year we’re going to try and spell him as much as we can and make sure he’s not playing every snap of the game, but when push comes to shove he’ll be in there.”

INSIDE LINEBACKERS

Starters: Senior Tyson Cox (6-0, 200), Sutton, senior Grace, junior Silas Edwards (6-0, 220).

Pendleton: “A lot of the younger guys are playing multiple positions and roles. Tyson Cox is a guy who has played a lot of football for us. He’s doing very well for us. Ethan Sutton is a very smart football player who understands what everyone is supposed to be doing. Tylan Grace is transitioning to an inside position. He’s a thumper. His dad was the Canadian Defensive Player of the Year, so he kind of has a pedigree for it. Silas Edwards has been a rock inside, hard to move. Really good run filler.”

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

Starters: Zayne Williams, sophomore Jacob Hughes (5-11, 175), Biggs, and Caudill.

Pendleton: “Zayne is a returning starter. He’s played a lot of football, He does a great job. Brock is a kid who is long, 6-foot-2, 185, 195 pounds that is getting better each and every day.

CORNERBACKS

Starters: Mullens, Baker, Carmon, junior Ashton Layne. (6-4, 175).

Pendleton: “The secondary is all interchangeable. They’re learning every position. Mullins is the heart and soul of the defense. He really understands where to put everyone. He gets everyone in the right position. Baker stepped in and started the first four games of last year when Josh Johnson was out. Tyler Carmon has transitioned from outside linebacker to corner. He runs really well. Really good ball skills. Ashton Duncan has been the surprise of them all. He has great ball skills, is very physical and he’s doing a great job. It doesn’t hurt that you replace a 6-3, 190-pound corner with a 6-4, 175-pound corner, It’s nice.”

SAFETIES

Starters: Harvey, Edwards, Markel.

Pendleton: “Tyson Harvey has done a great job at safety. Edwards and Markel have played there and do a great job,”

KICKING GAME

Punter: senior David Fields (5-11, 175), Carmon.

Placekicker: sophomore Beckham Waginger (6-2, 170), Fields. Waginger took over as the main extra point kicker last season with Fields handling kickoffs and long field goals.

Pendleton: “(Waginger and Fields are) both getting their share of the kicks in. David’s transitioning to punting this year and doing a fantastic job. He’s really booming the ball and Tyler Carmon has also done a lot of punting as well.”

Ironton Fighting Tigers 2025 Football Roster

No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.

  0 Braiden Linn FB-DL 5-10 215 Jr

  2 Silas Edwards TE-LB 6-00 220 Jr

  3 Brycen Mullins WR-DB 5-10 175 Jr.

  4 Ashton Layne WR-DB 6-03 180 Jr.

  5 Drayden Edens WR-DB 5-10 165 Jr.

  6 Landon Thomas RB-DB 5-10 170 Jr.

  7 Kayden Edwards QB-DB 5-11 180 Jr.

  8 Nolan Wolfe WR-DB 6-02 175 Jr.

  9 Thomas Crawford WR-LB 6-00 185 Sr.

10 Bryson Kerns WR-DB 5-11 170 Jr.

11 Brock Biggs QB-LB 6-02 190 So.

12 Wyatt Wolfe QB-DB 6-03 170 Fr.

13 Brian Kidd   QB-DB 5-10 170 So.

14 Easton Caudill RB-DB 5-11 190 Fr.

15 Maddix Markel WR-DB 6-01 190 Sr.

18 Braydon Baker WR-DB 5-10 180 Sr.

20 Tyson Harvey RB-DB 5-10 175 Jr.

21 Talib Spencer WR-DB 5-11 180 So.

22 Joey Weaver TE-DL 5-10 175 Jr.

24 Zayne Williams RB-LB 5-09 205 Sr.

25 Kylan Grace RB-LB 5-10 215 Sr.

26 Tyler Carmon RB-DB 5-10 180 Sr.

27 Jase Walker   WR-DB 5-10 155 So.

28 Jacob Hughes RB-WR-LB 5-11 175 So.

29 David Fields PK    5-11 175 Sr.

30 Tyson Cox     TE-LB 6-00 200 Sr.

31 Demir Curtis WR-DB 5-08 150 Fr.

32 Easton Caudill RB-DB 5-11 185 Fr.

33 Eli Shaffer      WR-LB 5-11 165 Fr.

34 Jaxson Lavender WR-DB 5-09 160 Fr.

35 Braylon Knipp RB-LB 5-10 165 Fr.

36 Liam Philabaun WR-DB 6-00 155 Fr.

37 Justin Lancaster WR-LB 5-09 155 Fr.

38 Max Haney    WR-DB 5-10 140 Fr.

40 Reid Hunt     WR-DB 5-07 140 Fr.

44 Jamere Bacon WR-LB 6-02 160 Fr.

45 Ayden Justice RB-LB 6-00 180 Fr.

46 Wyatt Jenkins WR-DB 5-08 140 Fr.

50 Jase Williams OL-DL 6-00 205 Jr.

51 Aiden Hensley OL-DL 5-11 230 Sr.

54 Chase Barber OL-DL 5-06 160 So.

55 John Weaver OL-DL 6-00 220 So.

56 Levi Deer     OL-LB 6-01 190 So.

57 Kayden Madden OL-DL 5-09 160 Fr.

58 Ethan Sutton OL-LB 5-10 205 Jr.

59 Caleb Porter  OL-DL 5-09 165 Fr.

61 Zander Hurn OL-LB-DL 6-01 210 Sr.

62 Ben Gulliams OL-DL 6-02 285 Sr.

63 Landon Deer OL-DL 6-02 275 Jr.

64 Mason Wheeler OL-DL 6-00 240 Sr.

66 Ethan Rice   OL-DL 5-11 225 Jr.

68 Carson Akers OL-DL 6-00 235 Jr.

71 Steven Payne OL-DL 5-10 220 Fr.

72 Carter Bridges OL-DL 5-09 240 Jr.

74 Luca Silva     OL-DL 6-06 270 So.

76 Brodie Howell OL-DL 5-11 245 Fr.

78 Caleb Jacobs OL-DL 6-04 285 Sr.

79 Jayden Thornburg OL-DL 6-01 250 So.

80 Miles Daniels TE-LB 5-08 140 Fr.

81 Braden Barbour TE-DL 6-03 225 Sr.

82 Beckham Waginger PK 5-10 170 So.

83 Mason Daniels WR-DB 5-06 120 So.

Head coach: Trevon Pendleton

2025 Football Schedule

Aug. 23 vs. Shelby Valley, Ky. W 63-0

Aug. 30 vs. Liberty Christian Acad., Va. 8:00PM

Sept. 5 at Cincinnati McNicholas 7:00PM

Sept. 13 CANISUS, NY. 7:00PM

Sept. 19 JACKSON 7:00PM

Sept. 26 at Wheelersburg 7:00PM

Oct. 4 at Uniontown, Pa. 3:30PM

Oct. 10 FAIRLAND 8:00PM

Oct. 17 at Gallia Academy 7:00PM

Oct. 24 PORTSMOUTH 7:00PM

%- Denotes Gridiron Classic