By JOE HOLTZAPFEL
I was going through some of my videos of previous Ironton games and I came upon what I consider to be the biggest game ever played at The Tank. The Division III No. 1-ranked Cincinnati Academy of Physical Education (CAPE) Crusaders (8-0) and the second-ranked Ironton Fighting Tigers (8-0).
CAPE's offense was led by Ohio's Mr. Football winner Carlos Snow and the defense was led by - what just might have been the best player on the team - Vinnie Clark.
Snow and Clark both ended up at Ohio State to play for Earle Bruce and both also played pro ball. Snow played for the Bengals of Cincinnati and Clark played with the Washington Redskins.
It was standing room only when both of these teams took the field. CAPE came out of the dressing room and tried to intimidate the Ironton crowd, but they would have no part of it. Ironton came out of the dressing room - as always - calm, cool, and collected.
The captains met at midfield, Clark was one of the captains for CAPE and Ironton was represented by A.J. Edwards and Mike Southers. CAPE won the toss and elected to take the football.
And the game was on.
The first quarter was all CAPE as they moved the ball well. Ironton's defense bent but didn't break as they held the CAPE scoreless.
Ironton was having trouble moving the ball as the Crusaders defense showed why they hadn't allowed more than one touchdown in any of the previous games.
In the second quarter, CAPE got on the scoreboard at the 11:09 mark with a 49-yard touchdown pass to Vinnie Clark, who showed off his speed and you could see he was something special.
At this point, it was CAPE 7, Ironton 0.
It was just about this time that Ohio State head coach Earle Bruce arrived by helicopter, and landed on what is now the high school practice field. Bruce had just settled in when Clark returned an Ironton punt 69-yards to give CAPE a 14-0 lead with 2:36 left on the clock. Coach Bruce had come to see Snow and Clark.
Bruce must have been a good omen for the Tigers, as they wasted little time in scoring. Edwards hit Bobby Brice with a 9-yard scoring pass, Charlie Spencer converted the extra point and the score at halftime was CAPE 14, Ironton 7.
The third quarter was all Ironton as they took the opening kickoff, and with a new man at tailback, shocked the Crusaders.
On his first carry as a Tiger tailback, Brice scooted 35-yards for the Ironton score. Spencer again made good on the extra point and Ironton had the game knotted up at 14-14.
Late in the quarter and after a CAPE punt, the Tigers went on a a clock-eating drive and Archie Malone dove over from the one-yard line for the go-ahead touchdown. Spencer again was perfect on the extra point and Ironton went ahead 21-14.
The fourth quarter had several opportunities for both teams, but the defenses held.
The critical play was when CAPE had the ball on the Ironton nine-yard line and time running out. Clark was called for offensive pass interference and the ball was moved back to the Ironton 24.
CAPE never could recover from that mistake. Ironton held on down and went into victory formation. Edwards took a knee and it was all over.
Ironton upended the No. 1 team in the state and took over first place in the Associated Press Poll. This I believe, was their first-ever AP championship.
The Ironton fans and students poured on the field to congratulate all the players and coaches. This is the only time I can ever remember this happening at The Tank.
What a game! What an experience!
FYI, Carlos Snow scored in every high school game he ever played except for one - that night against Ironton. The Fighting Tigers were the only team in Ohio to keep him out of the end zone.
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