Wheelersburg stuns Ironton, snaps Fighting Tigers’ 15-game winning streak
By: Isabelle Isco
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WHEELERSBURG, Ohio (WOUB) — Wheelersburg beat Ironton for the for first time in the regular season since 2018, with a final score of 24-15.
For the first time since 1997, Wheelersburg and Ironton didn’t matchup in week one of the regular season. Both teams came into this game five and zero after both had been very dominant in their first five games.
To start the game, Wheelersburg would take no time to find themselves in the endzone. 3rd and 7 on the Pirates’ 24-yard line, Senior QB Braylon Rucker would toss it off to Elijah Brown for a 59-yard gain. A few plays later, Brown would run in a two-yard score to put Wheelersburg on the board.
Ironton would respond on their second offensive possession. After an opening possession punt, the Fighting Tigers would goes nine plays, seventy-five yards. Kayden Edwards would find space on a quarterback run, punching in a six-yard score.
In the second quarter, scoring would go silent. Ironton would possess the ball for over nine minutes, and it would be a penalty-heavy drive. In the last possession of the half, they would have to go for a 24-yard field goal attempt, ending the half 9-7 in favor of the Fighting Tigers.
Wheelersburg would start off the second half scoring. Xavier Miller would score on a dime from Rucker for a thirty-one yard score. Pirates lead 14-9.
Edwards would score his second rushing touchdown of the night after another long drive. The two-point conversion was no good, keeping the Fighting Tigers lead at one.
The next score would come via the leg of Wheelersburg’s Cooper Heimbach, making the score 17-15 in favor of Wheelersburg. The Pirates forced a turnover and got into Ironton territory, but they weren’t able to come away with any points.
The Wheelersburg defense would get a huge stop on 4th down as Ironton was driving deep into Pirate’s territory. Rucker would immediately connect with Brown again for a gain of 57-yards. Brown would run in a score from 18-yards out to put the dagger in this contest. 24-15 final in favor of the Pirates.
Edwards would finish the game with 88 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Brown would finish the game with 148 receiving yards as well.
Next week, Ironton (5-1) will take on Uniontown (2-3) and Wheelersburg (6-0) will take on conference opponent away at Oak Hill (1-5).