The Ironton Fighting Tigers (11-1) varsity football team will host the Harvest Prep Warriors (9-2) from Canal Winchester, OH, in a playoff game on Friday, November 15 at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 OHSAA High School Football Playoff Brackets for Region 19.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Ohio High School Football
Who: Ironton vs Harvest Prep
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7 PM
Bracket: 2024 OHSAA High School Football Playoff Brackets (Ohio) – Region 19
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Game preview: Ironton vs Harvest Prep

As the high school football playoffs continue, two Ohio teams, Ironton and Harvest Prep, prepare for a compelling showdown. With both teams boasting strong records and distinctive strengths, this matchup promises to be intense and unpredictable.

Rankings and Records

Ironton holds an impressive 11-1 record this season, highlighting their dominance in Ohio Division I. They’ve remained undefeated in home and away games (5-0 in each) and secured a neutral record of 1-1, showcasing versatility across different environments. Ironton’s overall scoring efficiency is exceptional, with 575 points for and only 132 against.

Harvest Prep, meanwhile, stands at 9-2 overall, positioning them as a formidable opponent from Ohio Division V. With an .818 winning percentage, they’ve been especially dominant at home (4-0) and delivered a strong 5-2 away record. Harvest Prep has shown solid offensive output, scoring 357 points this season while allowing 151.

Team Scoring Averages

Ironton’s offense has been high-powered throughout the season, averaging 47.9 points per game. Their scoring is evenly distributed across all quarters, with first and second quarters each averaging 13.3 points. This balance suggests they pose a consistent threat from the start and maintain pressure until the final whistle.

Harvest Prep’s scoring average of 32.5 points per game is respectable, though slightly behind Ironton. They start strong in the first quarter (9.3 points) and maintain a steady pace through the second (10.2), but tend to slow down in the latter halves. Their challenge will be sustaining their offensive momentum through all four quarters to compete with Ironton’s endurance.

Key Stat Comparisons

• Rushing and Passing: Ironton holds a significant edge in the ground game, with 190.8 rushing yards per game compared to Harvest Prep’s 60.2. This advantage could allow them to control the pace and wear down Harvest Prep’s defense. Both teams are more evenly matched in the passing game, with Ironton averaging 213.9 passing yards per game, narrowly edging out Harvest Prep’s 167.5.
• Total Offense: Ironton’s total yardage per game is an impressive 404.8, significantly outpacing Harvest Prep’s 227.7. This indicates a more dynamic offense, with a greater ability to keep opponents off balance.
• Defense: Ironton’s defense is characterized by 56.2 tackles per game, substantially more than Harvest Prep’s 4.5. This statistic suggests that Ironton’s defensive front is aggressive and adept at halting advances. Harvest Prep, however, has an edge in sacks per game (1.3 compared to Ironton’s 0.3), which could help them disrupt Ironton’s passing game.

Team Leaders

Ironton’s standout players include Zayne Williams, who leads in rushing with 51 yards per game, and quarterback Brayden Schreck, who averages 187.8 passing yards per game. Shaun Terry is their leading receiver with 91.3 yards per game, while Austin Bump contributes significantly on defense with 7.5 tackles per game.

Harvest Prep, meanwhile, relies on Collin Boff, who averages 184.3 passing yards per game, and Jamarcus Jones, their top receiver with 99.5 receiving yards per game. On defense, Marquez Colvin leads with 6.1 tackles and 1.8 sacks per game, and Dezmond Porter contributes 8.3 points per game.

Common Opponents

Both teams faced Wheelersburg during the regular season and secured victories, though with contrasting results. Harvest Prep won a close game, 12-6, while Ironton dominated with a 37-7 win. Ironton’s stronger showing against Wheelersburg could be a factor in assessing their potential performance.

Final Thoughts

Both teams bring impressive records, but Ironton’s strong scoring averages, balanced offensive play, and robust defense give them a slight edge heading into this matchup. Harvest Prep, however, has shown resilience throughout the season and will need to play consistently across all four quarters to stay competitive. This game is likely to be a high-energy clash between two determined teams aiming to advance further into the playoffs.