IRONTON, Ohio — Tiger pride runs rampant in Ironton all year, but especially this weekend.
- The town of roughly 11,000 people has a long history of success on the football field
- The Ironton Tanks were one of the first professional football teams
- The community is rooting for them – not just to win, but to restore a legacy of Ironton football that goes back to the early 20th century and the semi-pro days of the Ironton Tanks
“It's a real passion, a real vibe in the community. These kids are electric and the town is electric,” said Steve Harvey, Ironton High School alumnus.
The Reverend Steve Harvey was part of the pep rally to get the Tigers ready to head to Canton.
He's a graduate of Ironton High School and traveled with the 1989 team when they won the state championship. Now, the team chaplain for Marshall University, he says Ironton is home.
“It's an amazing deal, it's a great thing and then when they win it, it's going to be even more electric,” said Harvey.
He says the chance for a state championship again for Ironton, would mean much more than the trophy.
“This town doesn't have a whole lot, because it's kind of a worn-out river town. And these guys, they represent hope,” said Harvey.
This town of roughly 11,000 people has seen better days.
But it has a long history of success on the football field.
In fact, the Ironton Tanks were one of the first professional football teams.
Now, Ironton High football is on a comeback.
Second year head coach Trevon Pendleton led the team to the playoffs last year. They didn't win, but Ironton High School Principal Jeff Hairston says there is something magical this year.
“They've been determined since they lost in the playoff game last year. To get back to this spot and go a little bit further, and hopefully bring back a championship to this town would mean ever so much,” said Hairston.
That magic is felt all across Ironton, especially at the Shake Shoppe — a longtime staple of Ironton High School students, right across the street.
“We’re doing our best just to come and rally around the town, the community, the school, because they get excited for this,” said Robby Brown, owner, Shake Shoppe.
New owner Robby Brown says students decorated the restaurant Thursday night, and he's brought back a special treat to celebrate.
“The twist cone is a black and orange, and it's something fun to help support what they're doing,” said Brown.
And now that the team is on their way to Canton, their community is rooting for them – not just to win, but to restore a legacy of Ironton football that goes back to the early 20th century and the semi-pro days of the Ironton Tanks.
“It's a wonderful opportunity for us to show how wonderful our community is, and how much we really want to be that school in this area, that represents this area in athletics and in academics as well,” said Hairston.
And although a third state win in 2019 to complement the 1989 and 1979 championships would send a message...
“We like to say that Ironton is back, and I think that will show the rest of the world and the rest of the state of Ohio that Ironton is back as a football power, and are ready to compete for the state championships once again,” said Hairston.
The bigger message is unity.
“It's the one thing we got in common, it's the one thing that brings us all together. Ironton football. We're all together on Friday night or Saturday night through the run of the playoffs. And here we are state finals, all together,” said Harvey.
The tigers will take on Kirtland at 8 p.m. in canton, and fans can watch the game on Spectrum News 1.