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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Lutz more at ease with this year's Fighting Tigers
Ironton Fighting Tigers football 2008
Purchase this photoIRONTON -- Compared to a year ago, Ironton coach Bob Lutz is way ahead of the game going into the season opener.
Lutz returned as Ironton head coach in 2007 after a one-year absence. The catch is nearly all the players he would tutor didn't know him as they were not in the program prior to the departure. Wheelersburg came to Ironton and routed the Fighting Tigers, 39-8.
Ironton opens the 2008 season tonight at Wheelersburg and Lutz heads up U.S. 52 more at ease with this roster.
"They have some clue with what we want them to do," Lutz said at media day. "The off season, the attitude improved. It had to for us to be better. If it didn't we wouldn't. We didn't handle adversity well either."
Ironton posted a 5-5 mark overall and went 4-3 in the Southeast Ohio Athletic League. Many players from that squad return.
"We'll play as many people as we can," Lutz said. "We don't want to run out of gas. Our goal is no more than four players start both ways. I'd like to get that number to two. We won five because they were a lot worse than we were. Everybody's on the same wave length. There's no substitute for continuity."
On offense, senior Jon Schweickart returns at quarterback. "He's smoother now," Lutz said. "The second time around is a huge, huge difference. He's more polished. He's worked at his game. He has a good arm and attitude. He needs to be able to handle adverstiy. If he does he'll be much improved."
Schweickart also handles punting and placekicking.
Veteran halfbacks are Chance Freeman and Major Brice. Keith Wetzel returns at fullback. Providing depth are Cory Dyer, Paris Birchfield and Erin Edens.
"We don't have breakaway speed. We do have good runners," Lutz said. "I like how much they block for us. We're going to mix it, spread it around. If we don't, that means it's so easy we don't have to."
Up front are center Taylor Barker, guards Howie Lucas and Chris Warner, tackles Sam Cramblit and T.J. Baker and Michael Lamb at tight end. Lamb is a senior transfer from Fairland. Jonathan Norris is the split end. Other receivers are Lukas Morris and Casey Jones.
About Lamb, Lutz said: "He has great athleticism, terrific hands and great work ethic. He's got ways to go as a blocker. On defense, he'll be a good pass rusher."
On defense, Tony Murphy is back at middle guard. Tackles are Geoff White, Brad Spaljaric, Cramblit and Baker. Lamb and Jon Monnig are the ends. Linebackers include Lucas, Edens, Brian Warner, Chris Warner and Zach Kriebel. Brice and Norris are the corners and Freeman and Ethan Preston are safeties.
Ironton is in the SEOAL. Logan and Chillicothe rate as the teams to beat.
"On paper we're much improved," Lutz said. "It's all based on effort and attitude, how we handle things when they don't go our way. The problem wasn't moving the ball, even out of the T (formation). It was stopping people. That comes from practicing properly, having the right people and stopping people."
