RUSSELL — When Ironton and Russell finally resumed their football rivalry last year, it quickly turned into a monster breakout game for Fighting Tigers junior running back Tres Wilks.

A backup at the outset, Wilks entered early and bolted 92 yards to the end zone on his first carry. The second time he touched the ball, Wilks fielded a punt and zipped 76 yards for a score.

More big plays followed for the elusive halfback, including another punt return for a touchdown. Wilks finished with four TDs and gained 140 yards on a mere four carries.

“I think we are the ones that made him,” said Russell coach Ivan McGlone, reflecting on the damage inflicted by Wilks in a 45-0 rout.

The teams meet again tonight, this time at Henry R. Evans Stadium. For Russell, the “Wilks Watch” is definitely in effect.

“If we have the ball and get stopped at the 40, we’re not going to punt it,” McGlone said matter-of-factly. “We will take our chances.”

Asked which 40-yard line he meant, McGlone responded “either one.”

Russell (1-1) will be seeking to beat Ironton for the first time since 1977. The teams met 11 times from 1980-92, then the series stopped after the Ohio-Kentucky Athletic Conference dissolved.

Russell is coming off a 28-6 loss at Greenup County last Saturday, and now faces major back-to-back tests against Ironton and Ashland.

“The early part of the schedule is pretty tough,” McGlone said. “Ironton is big and fast, just like usual.”

 The Tigers opened their season with a hard-fought 12-7 road victory against rival Wheelersburg last Friday.

“We played well enough to win,” Ironton coach Bob Lutz said. “It was a physical game, the kind of game that if you’re able to win you love because it was four quarters of going at it, with both sides exhausted and cramps everywhere.”

Ironton managed only five first downs, but used two long TD runs to take a 12-0 lead. Tyler Hager scored from 51 yards out in the first quarter and Wilks got loose for a 73-yarder early in the second half.

“Wheelersburg moved the ball some and had more first downs, but Ironton had those two long ones,” McGlone said. “They make plays when they have to. It’s part of why they have been so good.”

Lutz said the Tigers will need a solid effort tonight against Russell.

“The way they come out and compete, you’ve got to be ready to play,” Lutz said.

Russell generated 14 first downs against Greenup County but also threw four interceptions and never managed to get into the end zone.

“Counting the two field goals, I think we got inside their 30-yard line five times,” McGlone said. “I think it’s been a long time since we moved the ball and didn’t score a touchdown. We came up with a mistake here and there that kept us from punching it in.”

Red Devil quarterback Patrick Cooper and running backs Zach Thompson and Paul Spradlin each rushed for more than 50 yards, while tight end Justin Davidson had 50 yards on four receptions.

ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2671.