AshlandOil

In 2009 Blazer broke the long losing streak to the Fighting Tigers. In my opinion, they made a mistake by not waiting until Ironton's bus rolled out of Putnam before taking a team picture in front of the scoreboard. Last year was an emotional revenge game for Ironton. The snowball got rolling down hill fast and Blazer couldnt stop it. they also couldnt get out and block ironton's end and had numerous sacks. In my opinion if Hunter stays in the pocket and flings it all over the field, this game could be a down to the wire contest that would depend on who gets the ball last. If Ashland gets in a slugfest running match and allows Ironton to chew the clock, Ironton will win by two scores. Ashland has the emotion and revenge factor this week. They will also have a home field advantage. This will be an exciting game with a huge crowd. Many folks who are not tied to either school will sneak over to Putnam to watch this game. This is a great game for both schools and a whole lot more fun when both schools are good. This may very well come down to two point conversions. Ill take Ironton 34 Ashland 32

My prediction for this game.....It will be over in about an hour. The clock will run quick for this game. Many running plays.

Emotion had a lot to do with Ironton's win over Ashland. Great coaching and preparation also had alot to do with it. What many people don't understand with Ashland and Ironton is that last year it was the first time the ironton kids had ever seen their Tigers lose to the Tomcats. After the Tomcats took their team photo in front of the Putnam Stadium score board (something I doubt a guy like Coach Conley would have ever done) while the Fighting Tigers were still in the lockerroom, the kids and coaches that were coming back, were never going to let that happen at tanks memorial Stadium. I believe Ashland will be just fine. A serious contender for a 5A State title, i dont know. However, I do believe they are one of the best, if not best teams in Eastern Ky. this year. Good luck to the Tomcats the rest of the year. As you can see from this game and last years game, this game is great for the athletic departments of both schools. May that always continue.

Ironton thoroughly dominated in all phases of the game. It was clear that Ironton wanted this game much more than the Tomcats. Good luck the rest of the way to Coach Hart and his Cats.

I was too.

Actually, Ironton and Ashland never played in the decade of the 1930's. In 1990, Ashland won at Ironton and last year Ashland won at Putnam Stadium. In between Ironton won equally at ironton and at Ashland. I guess Ironton has a home field/State advantage in Kentucky as well.

Of Ashland's 29 wins, over half of them have come at Ironton (16).

"It's hard to win at Ironton." Heck, it's hard to beat Ironton no matter where you play. It's great to see this long, storied rivalry back to it's rightful place, with both programs doing well. Although an Ironton alumni, it has been hard watching Ashland's program struggle the past several years. In this game it comes down to Ironton running game vs Ashland's quarterback. It's no mystery that Ironton has found the pass defense tough the past few years. Ashland's quarterback is as good as ironton will face. They must contain him. Last year Ironton was rightfully favored and they lost a game, that i feel they should have won. However, Ashland outplayed them, outhustled them and out hit them. They deserved to win last season. This season Ashland should be favored and as LC said they have a more talented team. Maybe the Fighting Tigers can hang tough and shorten this game. I am going with an upset. In a game where you may not see a place kicker, I'll go Ironton 34-32. A little history about this rivalry: Ironton leads the series 42-29-3. However, when I entered high school the series was in Ashland's favor 17-26-3. Bob Lutz is 28-5 vs. Ashland in his career. However, Coach Lutz lost his first two games to the Tomcats in 1974 and 1975. A great crowd expected, come early.

Ashland went for two at that point, because they couldnt go for three.

No question in my mind. The 1975 team wins this one in a shutout. Ill say 14-0. The defense was just too much. The 1990 Blazer team was very talented in the backfield, but they lost to Greenup and barely squeeked by Ironton whom had already lost a game prior to that. The 1975 team beat all area teams and they beat a very good Ironton team 14-0 in what I believe to be the hardest hitting game i ever watched. I have had the pleasure to watch the 1975 Ironton-Ashland game many times on film. Both of these teams were very good, but my nod goes to 1975. By the way, I loved it when the 1990 team went behind to Bell County i believe, and Dickey Martin gave up on them on radio....classic.

2 Days of action at this tourny. Day 1: Ironton St Joe vs Manchester 3PM Oak Hills Academy vs Columbus Walnut Ridge 5PM Cincinnati Princeton vs. Campbell Memorial 7PM Ironton vs. Africentric (Columbus) 9PM Day 2: Ironton Lady Tigers vs South Point lady Pointers 3PM(regional final rematch from last year) Campbell Memorial vs. Chesapeake 5PM Ironton vs Warren 7PM SEOAL game Oak Hills Academy vs. Cincinnati Princeton 9PM Tickets only $8 each day. Doors open 2 PM each day. All games at Conley Center located next to Ironton Tanks Stadium

2009 Ironton Classic will feature Oak Hill Academy playing on both nights. Both days will feature 4 games starting at 3PM. Tickets are $8 per day and that gets you all 4 games. Oak Hills Academy plays Walnut ridge from Columbus on day one and they will play Cincinnati Princeton on Day 2. Tickets on sale at Bob Linns Sporting Goods starting friday. Get tickets early, big crowds expected both days.

Does the scoreboard go to 100?

Can someone tell me what week of the season it was in 1990, that Ashland lost to Greenup County? I know that Greenup beat that title team,, but dont remember what week of the season it was. I do remember the 1990 Ironton-Ashland game at Tank Stadium. It was a tough hard fought battle. The tomcats must prevent a big letdown, that will surely follow such a big win. Waverly likes to toss the ball around a bit. Loved the Ashland gameplan last friday night of rolling the QB out and hitting the short passes. it really opens the running game up by doing that early. Lastly, has the AD stopped counting money since last friday? What a crowd for that big game.

The Tomcats wanted this one much more. They played a solid game. it was a physical contest with many kids getting dinged up. That is the way an Ironton/ Ashland game is supposed to go. Congratulations to all of the Tomcat fans...even the ones who stayed home (you know who you are). A great crowd, a great atmosphere. As for Ashlands announcer. Everyone, even in Ashland knows the story on him. If he isnt giving up on the 1990 state team (like he did on radio), he is disrespecting kids like tonight. Lastly, I thought coach hart should have taken a knee at the end. Good luck to the Tomcats. Nice to see them back on the prowl. Maybe we can start a streak again next year, when the Cats come across the river?

I am an Ironton alumni. My post still rings true in my opinion.

Well it is hump day and friday is almost here. I am ready to make a prediction on this game: I believe Ashland has improved by leaps and bounds and it is good to see them come into this old rivalry game, undefeated. Ironton has a big line and several backs of equal ability that can really carry the mail. Ironton doesnt seem to have the one real big "game breaker" that they seemingly have every year. However, that may be a positive as they are really playing as a team right now. ironton has a huge league game at home next week and they must not come into this game over confident, because most of these kids werent alive the last time Ashland won this game. Really think Ashland needs to control the ball, play mistake free football and keep Ironton from those 10-12 play drives that will certainly wear the defense down. I look for Ashland to be really jacked up for this game. I would hope Ironton can match that intensity the entire game. I'll take Ironton 33-21. Looking forward to a big crowd and a festive atmosphere, as for the first time in a long time, both schools come in undefeated.

Great post. I would like to add something to this post. When i was a kid in the early 70's, Ashland expected to win this game. At the same time, Ironton hoped to win this game. Since Bob Lutz and his great assistant coaches arrived at Ironton, they instilled an "expectant winning attitude." When ironton's kids roll off the bus, they don't hope to win, they expect it. Thus, so does the entire fan base. That has been lacking at Ashland for over a decade now. Ashland "hopes" to finally win this year. Ironton "expects" to win again. You can tell it by reading posts on these websites and listening to alumni and fans from Ashland. It is up to the coaches and administration to instill that winning attitude back in the minds and hearts of Ashland players. it begins in little league. Back in the 70's you would see those maroon shirts and you expected excellence on the football field. That is the attitude and mindset that must return to Ashland. When the alumni, fans and the kids all go to Putnam stadium expecting a win, you will know the tomcats are back. Until then, you just never know what team will show up.

Slow down! If the Tomcats Defense is as good as the jaws defense of the 70's, the Tomcats will win this one big. Knowing that there is no way that their defense is that good (the jaws D probably didnt give up 20 points all year, let alone 20 to Belfry), Ill have to say Ironton wins this one in a close one. Ashland needs to win the battle up front and if they do, they can win. Nice to see the Tomcats back on the prowl again.

I think Ashland will have too much fire power in this one. Russell seems to be in rebuild mode a bit. Maybe not as bad as last week, but I say Ashland rolls in this game, 35-7.

This is a great post. The way you build a successful program, is to get them playing young and often. Get the kids to the stadium on friday night and make it really something to look forward to for the kids. It should be a big honor for any kid in the Ashland system to run onto Putnam Stadium. I think that has been missing for sometime. Maybe with this news, the Tomcats can get back to where they belong.