Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
WHEELERSBURG — When you don’t get tired, you don’t slow down.
After tireless work in the offseason and a non-stop need to get better, Ironton doesn’t have “tired” in its vocabulary any longer. As games progress, they just get stronger.
Such was the case on Friday in front of a jam-packed, three-row-deep crowd at Wheelersburg’s Ed Miller Stadium.
After a back-and-forth first half, the Tigers (1-0) pulled away in the final two quarters, outscoring the Pirates 20-0 in the second half to seal a season-opening 37-7 victory.
CREDIT: Tyler Harris/SOSA
The game’s start signaled an impending dogfight.
But Ironton began to impose its will as the game wore on. And, as their opponent began to wear down, the Tigers looked like they were just getting started.
“Our guys go through it from May through July,” Ironton coach Trevon Pendleton said. “If you ask any of them, we push them hard and we do it because in games like this, against quality opponents, that can be the difference. We want our guys to be making plays late in games to close it out.”
Both teams came out in a slightly sluggish manner and each offense struggled to get going. But Ironton drew first blood with 3:48 left in the first on a Zayne Williams six-yard dive, making it 7-0.
Wheelersburg (0-1) then got a quick spark from their junior signal caller, Braylon Rucker, who evened things up on a 16-yard scamper. But just five minutes later, the Tigers’ Shaun Terry decided to do what he does best — make house calls.
Terry took a short screen pass, reversed field and raced 50 yards for his first score of the night, making it 14-7.
But he was just getting started.
“He’s a really special player,” Pendleton said of Terry. “He has really matured and he is now seeing the nuances of the games. He’s one of those guys you just want to put the ball in his hands and let him go make plays because that’s just what he does.”
After Ironton’s defense forced a three-and-out, the offense sped things up. After a 22-yard dart over the middle from Braden Schreck to Tyler Roach moved the chains on a fourth and long play, they capped off the first half scoring on a David Fields field goal from 34 yards out, taking a 17-7 lead into the locker rooms.
The second half was the Shaun Terry show.
With 8:13 left in the third quarter, the versatile senior took what was supposed to be a reverse pass and galloped 33 yards for his second score of the night, pushing the lead to 23-7.
Wheelersburg wouldn’t sniff the end zone again, but Ironton wasn’t done.
The Tigers put the nail in the coffin when Schreck hooked up with Terry one more time — this time from 42 yards out — producing a 29-7 tally early in the fourth.
With the game already put away, the Tigers got a bonus when their electrifying sophomore, Kayden Edwards, took a punt 65 yards to pay dirt, closing out the night’s final at 37-7.
With a very different looking schedule this year, Pendleton was pleased with his team’s effort.
“It means a lot,” he said of the win. “Any time you can play a quality opponent and go 1-0, it’s a great thing. We were able to capitalize on some things tonight so this win means a lot to us to start this year.”
The Tigers were led by Terry, who hauled in seven passes for 123 yards and two scores. He also had a rushing touchdown. Schreck completed 14-of-22 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns. Williams ran in a score and D’Edrick Graves ran the ball six times for 57 yards.
Wheelersburg was led by Rucker, who had 48 rushing yards and a score. Stephen Hall also chipped in, toting the rock 11 times for 44 yards.
Both teams will be on the road next week as the Tigers travel to Jackson to take on the Ironmen. Meanwhile, Wheelersurg will make the trek to Archbishop McNicholas.
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