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SPORTS
Fighting Tigers get physical
Ironton's Keith Wetzel fights off a Galia Academy Blue Devil Friday, September 5, 2008, at Ironton's Tanks Field.
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IRONTON -- Ironton coach Bob Lutz wanted his team to get more physical and the Fighting Tigers responded. Quickly.
On the third play of the game, Gallipolis quarterback Kruize Wandling picked up 10 yards on a keeper around the right side. Just before the junior got to the sideline, an Ironton defender delivered a big hit and Wandling was through for the night.
On the next snap, backup quarterback Ethan Moore fumbled, the Fighting Tigers recovered and converted the turnover into a score as Keith Wetzel would score on a 3-yard run.
On the next series, Wood fumbled again, Ironton recovered at the Blue Devils' 32-yard line and cashed in again. Wetzel would do the honor on a 6-yard run on the third play to build the lead to 14-0.
That physical pattern continued as the Blue Devils finished the game with their No. 3 quarterback. Up front, the Ironton offensive line sprung Chance Freeman loose for 135 yards and two scores in two-plus quarters and Fighting Tigers rolled to a 42-6 win in their Southeast Ohio League opener on Friday night at Tanks Memorial Stadium.
"We played with intensity, we blocked and tackled better and we didn't put the ball on the ground," Lutz said. "Freeman and Wetzel ran well and offensive line did a good job. We capitalized on their fumbles."
Wetzel totaled 67 yards on seven attempts, scored three times overall and then departed early in the third period as Lutz turned the backups on both sides of the ball. On defense, Gallipolis lost three of six fumbles and paid dearly.
"We have to hit more now," Lutz said. "If you don't, you don't beat the good teams."
Ironton (2-1) is back home next Friday against Ashland. Gallpolis (2-1, 1-1 SEOAL) travels to Logan, the preseason SEOAL favorite.
"We open our eyes when we play Ironton," Gallipolis coach Mike Bokovitz said. "We're still youg and they were really physical."
Injuries and turnovers didn't help the Gallipolis cause.
"A short field ... you can't do that against Ironton," Bokovitz said. "Wandling's a big part of our offense. It hurt to lose him. Ethan (normally a slot back) is going to be a nice athlete. He stepped in and did the best he could. We'll go back and work to get better. We've got to play more physical."
Ironton's lone second-half score came on a 43-yard pass from Johnathan Schweickart to Lukas Morris. He had two catches for 66 yards and Michael Lamb caught three for 55. On defense, Lamb got in a big hit on Moore in the second period from his end position just as he got a pass off. Moore stayed down for a few seconds.
"Coach said we've got to start hitting," Lamb said. "We hit a lot during the week. Until we hit, we won't beat the good teams."
Freeman said the offensive line gave all the backs plenty of room.
"The blocking was outstanding," he said.
"We were strong up front and the backs ran hard," Lamb said. "We knew we had to be more physical. That's what it takes."
GALLIP0LIS 0 0 0 6 -- 6
IRONTON 14 21 7 0 -- 42
I -- Wetzel 3 run (Schweickart kick)
I -- Wetzel 6 run (Schweickart kick)
I -- Wetzel 24 run (Schweickart kick)
I -- Freeman 1 run (Schweickart kick)
I -- Freeman 9 run (Schweickart kick)
I -- Morris 43 pass from Schweickart (Schweickart kick)
G -- Gravely 4 run (kick failed)
WH IR
First downs 12 22
Total Net Yards 162 413
Rushes-yards 30-63 38-292
Passing 99 121
Comp-Att-Int 11-13-0 5-8-1
Fumbles-Lost 6-3 0-0
Penalties-Yards 4-25 8-55
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Gallipolis, Wandling 2-11, Grimm 4-minus 6, Allison 6-30, Moore 8-12, Wilson 1-1, Eastman 2-minus 13, Gravely 7-28. Ironton, Birchfield 4-13, Freeman 15-135, Taylor 1-4, Wetzel 7-67, Lewis 4-22, Schweickart 1-13, Preston 1-minus 1, Taylor 3-16, Wilks 2-23.
PASSING--Gallipolis, Wandling 0-1-0, Moore 6-7-0, 66 yards; Eastman 5-5-0, 33 yards; Ironton, Schweickart 5-8-1, 121 yards.
RECEIVING--Gallipolis, Wilson 1-11, Whaley 2-20, Gravely 3-35, Allison 1-6, Ward 1-7, Wood 2-17, Nibert 1-3. Ironton, Lamb 3-55, Morris 2-66..
