Week 6 Previews: Pirates, Tigers clash in battle of undefeateds

WHEELERSBURG — .“We don’t like them and they don’t like us.”

Ah, the sweet sound of a rivalry.

That’s the sentiment between Southeast Ohio’s top two football programs as the Ironton Fighting Tigers visit the Wheelersburg Pirates in a battle of unbeatens at 7 p.m. on Friday.

Both teams are coming into the game 5-0. The only common opponent is Jackson and both teams won that meeting. Wheelersburg won 17-7 in week two while Ironton won 49-10 last week.

The Pirates lead Region 19 of the Division 5 computer playoffs but will be an underdog against the second place Fighting Tigers in what should be a big computer point game for the winner.

Wheelersburg finished 9-5 last season but their good start this season is due to a strong defense.

“We’re playing some good football right now defensively. We’re flying around. That’s what’s put us in the shape we’re in right now,” said Pirates’ coach Rob Woodward. “We’ve been able to capitalize offensively. We’re not overpowering anybody, but we’ve got just enough weapons, when they click, they click. Last week, obviously, we ran 17 plays and scored six touchdowns and another one got called back.”

Ironton won the regular season game 37-7 last year and then rolled to a 55-0 win in the Division 5 regional championship game.

The two teams played twice in 1995 with Ironton winning 36-12 and 41-8, again in 2014 with the Pirates winning 42-16 and 38-7, and yet again in 2015 with Wheelersburg getting wins of 14-6 and 38-7.

Ironton leads the series 23-14 and has won the last four meetings.

Ironton head coach Trevon Pendleton said the past has no bearing on the current moment. He said the Pirates are a solid team.

“Last season was just kind of an anomaly in the series.But when you flip on the film they’re in the right positions and they’re very disciplined, so they’re a team you have to go out and beat. To beat a team like that, you have to match the things they do great and then the things they don’t do great you’ve got to capitalize on them,” said Pendleton.

The Pirates are led by linemen Ryan Meeker and Ison Emnett, linebackers Brady Doss and Luke Kouns, and defensive backs Hunter Henderson and Kenyon Evans.

Offensively, the Pirates rely on quarterback Braylon Rucker, running backs Elijah Brown and Stephen Hall, and wide receivers Xavier Miller and Evans.

“They’re very aggressive defensively, but they play very disciplined and structurally sound,” said Pendleton.

“Offensively, they’ve got some home run makers, whether it is Evans or Miller or Rucker or even Elijah Brown. All four are very capable with the ball in their hands.You’ve got to be very disciplined, very structurally sound, give a great effort and match their intensity.”

Woodward noted that Ironton lost some key players from last season that included Division 5 Offensive Player of the Year Shaun Terry and quarterback Braden Schreck. However, he said Ironton has plenty of talent returning from its state championship team.

“Schreck is one of the most intelligent football players I’ve ever watched on the field. And then you surround him with the weapons that he had and the mindset to keep your foot on the gas that he had, that just really gave him a free ticket to make good decisions and he was good at it,” said Woodward.

“This year’s group, Zayne (Williams) is one of the best all-around football players defensively from his outside linebacker position to running back. He’s just a stout, great football player,” said Woodward.

“They have a couple of linebackers (Tyson Cox and Kylan Grace) who are really aggressive and do a good job. The secondary has some new faces for the most part. (Brycen) Mullins is a good player. He has great recognition and ball sense. And of course, (Kayden) Edwards is just athletic. Offensively, you’ve just got to contain Edwards from the start. If he doesn’t like things, he can just take off. We have good speed as well. We don’t have the overall girth and size as some of their skilled position players.”

Pendleton said Wheelersburg has plenty of talented players returning from last season as well and pointed out how third-year quarterback Rucker’s improvement benefits not only him but the Pirates’ offense.

“When you return that many guys who have played that much football, they’re very capable of doing very good stuff,” said Pendleton. “(Rucker) stays very poised. Your decision making is going to grow each and every year the more reps you get back there. Obviously, the game has slowed down for him a little bit so his decision making has improved and obviously he’s a really good athlete with his legs.”

Woodward knows his team must have a great effort against Ironton in order to pull off the upset win.

“We’re playing selfless football. All the teams I’ve coached — obviously the 2017 team was just a special group that was selfless — but since then this group has shown signs of coming together,” said Woodward.

“This group has been a vital part of the last two seasons, they’ve just been young. I don’t want to say juniors are young, but they needed to get a little more experience. You’ve got to be in the fight until the end.”

The game was normally been  played on week one but Wheelersburg had a shortage of home games and Ironton agreed to play on week six plus return to the Pirates home field.

Green Bobcats (0-4) @ Symmes Valley Vikings (5-0)

Time: Friday, September 26, 7:00 PM

Where: Vikings Stadium, Willow Wodd, OH

Both teams begin conference play in different situations. The Vikings are coasting along towards their date next week, but must take care of business on Friday. The Bobcats will be looking to show some fight and get any positives they can.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Symmes Valley pass defense vs. Green passing attack

Symmes Valley will have the advantage along the line, which means running the ball will be tough. So expect the Bobcats to try and test the Vikings through the air.

Impact Players to Watch:

Troy Stapleton, Green

In order for the Bobcats to stay in the game, they'll need to get some pressure on Symmes Valley's QB. Stapleton can help provide some of that from the DE position.

Jackson Fields, Symmes Valley

Fields has had some big games thus far this season. But he might be able to exploit the Bobcats on the back end of their defense.

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Chesapeake Panthers (0-5, 0-1 OVC) @ Portsmouth Trojans (2-3, 0-2 OVC)

Time: Friday, September 26, 7:00 PM

Where: Trojan Coliseum, Portsmouth, OH

Someone will pick up their first conference win on Friday. Portsmouth has fell short twice in close contests, so expect them to come out with a killer instinct. The Panthers will be tasked with keeping this one close for as long as possible and hope hanging in there long enough will frustrate the Trojans.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Chesapeake defensive line vs. Portsmouth offensive line

The Trojans will have a size advantage and aim to use that on Friday. The Panthers will have to use a mixture of blitzes and good assignment football to slow down Portsmouth and put them in obvious passing situations.

Impact Players to Watch:

Andrew Issacs, Chesapeake

The Panthers need big plays generated from their playmakers.

Marquez Locklear, Portsmouth

Locklear doesn't have the stats of a passing QB, but he makes up for it with being very effective at running the ball. Couple with teammate Fernando Poxes, the tandem will be tough to key on.

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Fairland Dragons (2-3, 1-1 OVC) @ South Point Pointers (2-3, 0-1 OVC)

Time: Friday, September 26, 7:00 PM

Where: Alumni Stadium, South Point, OH

This will effectively be an elimination game in the race for the OVC championship. The Dragons will see if they can utilize their speed on the turf. Meanwhile, the Pointers will try to use their size advantage up front and hard-nose running attack to control the game.

Key Matchup to Watch:

South Point defensive line vs. Fairland offensive line

The Pointers will test the Dragons' offensive line with a good mix of size and athleticism. This mean Fairland will need to give Owen Burcham time to get some passes off and allow running lanes to open up in the run game.

Impact Players to Watch:

Davin Murray, Fairland

Murray has been a big asset on the defensive side of the ball. He'll be needed there to help keep an eye on the Pointers' running backs.

Landon Vance, South Point

The rushing game has taken a step back the past couple games. This will be a key game for Vance to step up and help get things going again.

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Coal Grove Hornets (3-2, 2-0 OVC) @ Gallia Academy Blue Devils (2-3, 1-1 OVC)

Time: Friday, September 26, 7:00 PM

Where: Memorial Field, Gallipolis, OH

If you're looking for some vintage football, this will be the game. Both teams sport run heavy offenses. They'll both be playing on a wet and (eventually) muddy surface, meaning this one will could be low-scoring. So turnovers and keeping the ball dry will be the biggest factors for each team.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Coal Grove defensive line vs. Gallia Academy offensive line

The Hornets answered the call last week in stopping Portsmouth's run attack. This week will be more of the same. The defense will need be physical again and keep the Blue Devils runners in check.

Impact Players to Watch:

Kaden Murphy, Coal Grove

It's going to be a muddy track at Memorial Field, which could make an impact on Murphy's ability to turn on the jets. This will be a test to see the senior tailback's strength to get those tough yards.

Max Canaday, Gallia Academy

Canaday is listed as a QB, but statistically looks like an extra RB with the ability to throw the ball at any given time. He piled up a 161 yards on the ground last week, making him someone the Hornets must keep an eye on.

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Purcell Marian Cavaliers (2-3) @ Rock Hill Redmen (4-1)

Time: Friday, September 26, 7:00 PM

Where: Redmen Stadium, Pedro, OH

This will be a tough test to conclude the Redmen's non-conference schedule. The Cavaliers have been playing up in competition — in terms of school size. So this will be a good measuring stick as to where Rock Hill stands on the backside of their schedule and the OVC title race.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Rock Hill rushing attack vs. Purcell Marian defensive front seven

The Redmen will be challenged by the Cavaliers size and athleticism across the board on defense. The line will need to hold their blocks and execute their play calls to set the tone in this one.

Impact Players to Watch:

Quindel Phillips, Purcell Marian

Phillips has a lot of size for a QB, but has the speed to do some damage in the open field. But don't sell him short on his passing abilities. He'll be a handful if he's not contained.

Daniel Medinger, Rock Hill

The Redmen will need a good game up front to win this one. So all eyes will be on the senior to help be the catalyst for the offensive lines' play. Medinger's strength and size will make him hard to block when he's on defense.

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Russell Red Devils (4-1) @ Fleming County Panthers (3-2)

Time: Friday, September 26, 7:30 PM

Where: Fleming County Football Stadium, Flemingsburg, KY

Russell should be chomping at the bit to shake off last week's setback. They'll have to do so on the road against a formidable Fleming County team that will air it out. The Red Devils will try to counter that with a balanced attack and tough defense. If the offense clicks early, it could be a good night.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Russell offensive line vs. Fleming County defensive line

The real test for the Red Devil offensive line will be how they respond after last week. If they can be physical up front and focus in on their assignments, it could be a good night all around.

Impact Players to Watch:

Jayden Frasure, Russell

Frasure will need to show that senior leadership on Friday and get the offense going any way he can. He has the dual threat capabilities to make that happen.

Jett Martin, Fleming County

Martin already has over 1,000 all-purpose yards this season. But the key for the sophomore QB will be fiding the passing lanes and getting the ball out to his receivers.

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Game of the Week: Ironton Fighting Tigers (5-0) @ Wheelersburg Pirates (5-0)

Time: Friday, September 26, 7:30 PM

Where: Ed Miller Stadium, Ironton, OH

It appears the wait was worth it. This game will feature two clashing offensive styles. Ironton will look to overwhelm the Pirates with a quick-strike, big play offense. Meanwhile, Wheelersburg will try to be more methodical and take their shots when the opportunity arises against the Tigers. Both teams do feature good, tough defenses.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Wheelersburg offensive line vs. Ironton defensive line

The match-up between the Pirates' interior 3 lineman and Ironton's defensive tackles will be fairly even. But, Ironton should have the advantage on the edge. The Tigers' DE/OLB have good speed and athleticism, which could cause problems with Wheelersburg's game plan.

Impact Players to Watch:

Kayden Edwards, Ironton

The problem Edwards creates for defenses isn't so much his arm, as it is his legs. If he's able to move the pocket or tuck the ball and run, he can be hard to contain. If he gets enough room out in space, it could be bad for the Pirates.

Hunter Hutchison, Wheelersburg

The senior will be one of the many DBs the Pirates will use to lockdown on Ironton's passing game, but simultaneously fill the running lanes so Ironton's backfield doesn't run free all night. Hutchison proved he can do both of those last week against Valley.