Nothing is worse than losing something you love, especially when there was something you could have done about it. I will always regret not preparing myself to the best of my ability, but so much good has come from this experience. The best thing I will take from Ironton Football is to never take anything or anyone that I love for granted. When the chance arrives again, in football or in life, I will be able to take full advantage of the opportunities given. Playing for the Ironton Eagles as a child and watching Friday night football at Tanks Stadium was my favorite thing about fall. It was every football-loving child’s dream. I would always be sad at the end of football season until I realized that I would soon be a part of The Ironton Fighting Tigers. After the last game this year against Columbus Bishop Hartley, it really hit me that this would be my last game as a Tiger.
I would never hear the band playing in the end zone; I would never be with
my teammates at practice; most shockingly, this game would be the last time I’d ever run onto the field behind Coach Lutz. After shaking hands with Hartley, I could barely make it to the end zone before this all hit me. I would never play with the teammates that I loved again. The locker room was even worse. I looked at all of my teammates sitting there and realized they were just as helpless as I was. Nothing could be said. Crying is an understatement. People, including me, were on the verge of sobbing. Even those who do not normally show emotion were holding back tears. Looking back on the season, there are many highs and lows that reflect on the team. When people remember the Fighting Tiger Football Team of 2010, they will not think of a perfect team, but hopefully they will think of a team that never gave up.
#28 Tres Wilks courtesy of Ironton Football Dot Com
Anyone who saw the run you made against Nelsonville-York in 2009 knows you never give up. Thanks for all the great memories and the best of luck in all that you do.
Fighting Tigers never give in and never give up. You have a lot to be proud of and many great memories to share with your teammates.
You don’t realize it yet, but maybe the best thing you gained from Ironton Football were life lessons. Doing thing the right way, even though difficult. Persistance.. Being fair . The sayings and play logic from Coach Lutz and Coach Burcham will always be in your mind and as the years roll on, you will treasure them as much or more that the experience of Ironton Football.