What are some long overdue matchups that you would like to see happen? Or some series that should be renewed?
- Thread starter footballsalads43
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Vincent and Regina
Well-known member
Thank YOU!
LS92
Well-known member
The trippy part is seeing Elder alums reactions when Harrison folks call them east siders, and the Elder folks have to explain that they're more than 10 miles east of Harrison, and that somehow makes themselves westsiders.
In 2001, (what seemed like) the entire city of Warren carpooled to Cincinnati for the Harding-Elder game. "Standing room only" crowd at The Pit opn the opposite corner of the state. Greatest atmosphere ever.
Times have changed, but I'd think that Steubenville has one of select the few fan bases that could pull something like this off today.
Inoutsider
Active member
Ironton fan here. The JV teams have played a couple of times recently. They weren’t blowouts as Ironton has had some strong young classes but Massillon won them both comfortably if I remember correctly. Ironton has some tough river rat style kids and I’m sure they would embrace the challenge but recently this game would be a big ask in spite of Irontons recent run. Steubenville would likely be a better matchup talent wise but I doubt we’ll see it happen. Either game would be a good watch despite your allegiance or outcome
Vincent and Regina
Well-known member
That game was nuts. Some how that year Elder beat Three #1 ranked teams. St Ignatius, Warren Harding, and Colerain. Only team we lost to was X and we did that twice.
That game was also the game that the USA Today Reporter came to The Pit and decided it was one of the Top 10 places to watch a game.
That was also the only game were Maurice Clarett was stopped. I want to say Elder kept him under 50 yards. I want to say 4 NFL players played in that game. Ricky Brown, Eric Wood, Mario Manningham, and one other person from Warren, just can't remember their name.
Manningham was a freshman in 2001. He didn't play varsity.
David Herron Jr. & Prescott Burgess both played in the NFL from Harding.
Here's the full game.
7662Forever
Member
I know it doesn't scream powerhouse matchup in the state, but with the tension between the two communities Clyde vs Fremont Ross would be a good match-up. It would be a tossup game most years. This did almost happen a few years ago, Clyde wanted a four year commitment and Fremont only wanted two, so it did not happen.
FremontKeith
Well-known member
First I have heard of Clyde wanting anything to do with Ross. When was this "few years ago" when Clyde wanted a four year agreement? I agree that the two should play, but have always heard from the folks in charge at Ross that Clyde wanted nothing to do with the Little Giants. So again, when was this "few years ago" when Clyde wanted a four year deal?
7662Forever
Member
First, you sound very condescending. Second, you might not mean to. Third, your sentiment on Clyde was accurate under the previous principal. Fourth, It would have just been just a few years ago as Clyde wound up taking a four game contract with St Francis instead. I was in the Athletic office when it happened. Fifth, sorry for typing in this format and giving you a hard time. Sixth, what I said was factual. Seven, come at me with "quotation marks" you are going to get witty remarks. Eight, Clyde has been more open to the football match-up since Long has been head coach.
Now that I got that out of my system, talk with a little bit more respect. If you are more familiar with the Fremont side and view any of this as wrong, then by all means correct away. I was there though when the conversations took place. There is no reason we can't play each other. It would be a heck of gate.
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Rack162
Well-known member
No way. If they had a player like Clarett, like Harding did back then, they might match the 500 or so fans they bring to Dover. Their fanbase isn’t what it was 10 years ago, let alone 20. My point is, why put a couple hundred kids (band and cheerleaders always travel with the team) on a bus for 9 hours on a Friday just for a game? An Ironton-Big Red game would be a fun matchup, but it wouldn’t draw any more scouts than an Ursuline-Big Red game does. I’d love for Big Red to play teams like Canfield, South Range, St. Clairsville, Niles, and West Branch, while keeping Indian Valley & Dover on the schedule for some fun, quality regional matchups that are around a 60-minute drive. A two-year series with Harding would be great too. I read a bunch of comments on X that Ironton was willing to go to Marion Local; Steubenville would never decline a one-year with them—Steubenville is only about 60 miles farther than Marion Local
.No way. If they had a player like Clarett, like Harding did back then, they might match the 500 or so fans they bring to Dover. Their fanbase isn’t what it was 10 years ago, let alone 20. My point is, why put a couple hundred kids (band and cheerleaders always travel with the team) on a bus for 9 hours on a Friday just for a game? An Ironton-Big Red game would be a fun matchup, but it wouldn’t draw any more scouts than an Ursuline-Big Red game does. I’d love for Big Red to play teams like Canfield, South Range, St. Clairsville, Niles, and West Branch, while keeping Indian Valley & Dover on the schedule for some fun, quality regional matchups that are around a 60-minute drive. A two-year series with Harding would be great too. I read a bunch of comments on X that Ironton was willing to go to Marion Local; Steubenville would never decline a one-year with them—Steubenville is only about 60 miles farther than Marion Local
I love traveling for games! I've been to Cincinnati (3X), Toledo, Lima, etc. for games. All of the trips to Cincy & Toledo were while I was still in high school.
I went to the Steubenville-Mooney game in 2007 at Fawcett. The atmosphere was amazing! The next year (I believe), Big Red played a neutral playoff game here in Warren. They had the home side and I met some very nice people. The weather was perfect! On a side note, Mollenkopf hosted Ursuline-Kirkland the following night and I froze my tail off!
From what I remember, Steubenville also brought a nice crowd to Boardman for a playoff game not too long ago. I couldn't go, but I've learned to respect their fans. I want to experience "Death Valley" on a Friday night one day. All I've seen is pictures and they looked amazing. Harding-Steubenville currently has a deal to scrimmage. Hopefully, that will elevate to a regular season series down the line.
CedarBuck92
Well-known member
If Steubenville is ok with Ironton having the 9 hour bus ride then they should be fine with returning the favor the following year.No way. If they had a player like Clarett, like Harding did back then, they might match the 500 or so fans they bring to Dover. Their fanbase isn’t what it was 10 years ago, let alone 20. My point is, why put a couple hundred kids (band and cheerleaders always travel with the team) on a bus for 9 hours on a Friday just for a game? An Ironton-Big Red game would be a fun matchup, but it wouldn’t draw any more scouts than an Ursuline-Big Red game does. I’d love for Big Red to play teams like Canfield, South Range, St. Clairsville, Niles, and West Branch, while keeping Indian Valley & Dover on the schedule for some fun, quality regional matchups that are around a 60-minute drive. A two-year series with Harding would be great too. I read a bunch of comments on X that Ironton was willing to go to Marion Local; Steubenville would never decline a one-year with them—Steubenville is only about 60 miles farther than Marion Local
Rack162
Well-known member
Man, I hated going to Youngstown in a school bus, and that was just a 2-hour round trip. Yeah, they played Hubbard there in 2018. That year they were kind of down; I didn't come back for any games that year.
For a D4/D3 team, Steubenville home games still draw a solid crowd, but I don't think anyone would argue that Big Red does not travel like they used to; its kinda sad.
It sure sounded like whoever runs Ironton Football social media said they wanted to go to Maria Stein for one, no-strings-attached, and they said nah. Big Red would say if you want the game, you got it. If they weren't interested in traveling for just one, I completely understand why.
CedarBuck92
Well-known member
Personal opinion, if its a one off then try to find a neutral site in the middle, otherwise home and home. JMO.
Rack162
Well-known member
Yeah, for sure, but some teams do want to travel for whatever reason. I was just saying if they were willing to go to one place for one and that team wasn't interested in having them, why not go to the team that would have them? Playing ML right now would have a lot more buzz, so that's more than likely why they were interested in going there.
FremontKeith
Well-known member
Respectfully, if you think I was condescending, that's on you. I've been on this forum since the beginning, and people know that I pull no punches. Your feelings aside, I agree with you that Ross and Clyde should not only play, but should be in the same athletic league.
algernonsidney
Well-known member
Big Catholic schools in Cleveland and Cincinnati play each other.
Ironton and Bellaire had a home and home agreement in 1995 and 1996.
7662Forever
Member
Respectfully, I pull no punches either, too many suspect people on here. I too have been here since inception, I had to create a new account. Two peas in a pod I guess.
I don’t post as much as I used to. Too many people looking to attack each other.
The SBC should have taken Ross and Maumee when they had the chance. This was a conversation the schools had years ago. Maumee and Ross would have joined the lake. Would have been some great matchups.
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Rack162
Well-known member
My mistake, I should've said public schools. St. Eds, St. X, Moeller, and Ignatius have much deeper pockets than Big Red football does.
I mentioned that Bellaire game from the '90s earlier, and I’m pretty sure Big Red played at Dayton Shivers in the '40s. So yes, you are correct; small-town public schools do occasionally travel 3-4+ hours.
You said Big Red won’t travel that far, but does Ironton? Their trips over the past 20 years rarely exceed 90 miles—Zanesville, Marietta, a couple long ones into Kentucky, and Columbus. It also looks like Ironton can regularly schedule games with opponents within a 30-minute drive, unlike Big Red. Beyond Ohio's wealthiest programs, I've only seen people mention games from 20-40 years ago involving small public schools traveling 4.5-hour bus rides, which appeared to be uncommon even then. Play or don't—it's a ridiculously long trip for a game either way.
State2013-1
Well-known member
ML still as far as I know don't have a week 1 game so I wish they could have worked out a deal to play a series with the Tigers.
danville96
Well-known member
ML is playing South Adams(IN)
State2013-1
Well-known member
Missed that one. Personally wish they were playing the Tigers still. Indiana football just isn't the same
Bill Melterbank
New member
Isnt Ironton 96% white?
Burreaux
Mr. SEO
94% to be exact,
Bill Melterbank
New member
Sounds about white. Stubenville 75%.
footballsalads43
Well-known member
I think Walsh/Ignatius happened this last season, not sure if they will be playing next season though