Ironton Players to Watch Against Big Walnut

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ironton is 5–0, but Friday night brings its biggest test yet. Big Walnut arrives unbeaten with a productive offense and a defense that has allowed just seven points per game. To protect their home field, the Fighting Tigers will need these players to make their presence felt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#9 [player_tooltip player_id='1561468' first='Wyatt' last='Wolfe'] | Quarterback</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore has completed 68 of 99 passes for 972 yards and eight touchdowns. He has also rushed for six scores, giving Ironton a quarterback who can finish drives with either his arm or his legs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wolfe threw for 264 yards against Jackson last week and connected with seven different receivers. That ability to spread the ball around will matter against Big Walnut. Watch how he responds when the Golden Eagles bring pressure and force him to make quick decisions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#7 [player_tooltip player_id='826899' first='Kayden' last='Edwards'] | Athlete</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edwards is committed to Boston College, but his value to Ironton goes well beyond his college destination. The senior has caught 20 passes for 337 yards and six touchdowns. He can also carry the ball, return punts, and contribute in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A former quarterback, Edwards understands where the openings should be in Ironton's offense. Big Walnut will have to identify him before every snap, especially when he changes his alignment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5 [player_tooltip player_id='2004385' first='Easton' last='Caudill'] | Running Back</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caudill has rushed for 206 yards and two touchdowns on just 18 carries. The sophomore has shown he can turn limited opportunities into big gains, and he also gives Ironton a threat on kickoff returns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big Walnut has been tough to run against. Caudill's challenge is to find the crease when it appears and make the Golden Eagles pay.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#20 [player_tooltip player_id='2246937' first='Tyson' last='Harvey'] | Running Back and Defensive Back</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harvey has scored five rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns this season. Against Jackson, he caught a 33-yard scoring pass and added a touchdown run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He gives Ironton a dependable option whether Wolfe hands him the ball or looks for him in the passing game. Harvey also plays in the secondary, where he could help slow Big Walnut's passing attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#21 Ayden Justice | Defensive End</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Slowing Big Walnut running back [player_tooltip player_id='1628989' first='Nolan' last='Buirley'] is one of Ironton's biggest assignments. Justice, a sophomore with 28 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, will be central to that effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He needs to keep Buirley from getting comfortable on early downs while still pressuring quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1628991' first='Eli' last='Stumpf'] when Big Walnut throws. A disruptive night from Justice would make life easier for the entire Ironton defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#58 Ethan Sutton | Linebacker and Offensive Guard</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sutton leads Ironton with 30 tackles and has added four tackles for loss and a sack. He also starts at right guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That gives the senior two major jobs Friday night: help protect Wolfe on offense and make sound tackles against Buirley on defense. His play in the middle could help determine which team controls the line of scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wild Card: #3 [player_tooltip player_id='2246938' first='Brycen' last='Mullins']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mullins has produced as a receiver, runner, defender and returner. The sophomore has 124 receiving yards, 74 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns. Last week against Jackson, he intercepted a pass and delivered a long kickoff return.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When two unbeaten teams meet, one play can swing the night. Mullins has already shown he can make that play in several ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->