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Gridiron Glory (GG) returns to WOUB for its 25th season this Friday, August 23, at 11:30 p.m.
“In addition to our coverage last year, we have added the entire Mid-State League Buckeye and Cardinal Divisions. We are also planning to expand our written coverage. Readers can expect to see much more expansive written coverage throughout the course of our season,” said GG Producer Parker Kopronica, an Ohio University junior double majoring in news and information and media arts production. “And of course, this is our 25th season, which means fans can expect plenty of throwback content and homages to our history here at Gridiron Glory.”
Gridiron Glory is an award winning, weekly 30-minute sports show that airs highlights of high school football games from Southeastern Ohio. The program began in 1999 and airs every Friday night at 11:30 p.m. with repeats on Saturday morning at 11:30 a.m. during the high school football season. This year’s host is Hailey Hollinger, an Ohio University senior majoring in journalism news and information.
“Hailey is a previous host of WOUB’s high school basketball program, Hardwood Heroes, and spent her time with Gridiron Glory reporting for the TVC-Hocking,” said Kopronica. “She also spearheaded the reintroduction of Ace Nation, WOUB’s digital coverage of local high school volleyball. Hailey's passion for covering sports in the area will be integral to guiding viewers throughout this historic season.”
GG fans can also continue listening to the GG podcast called Gridiron Glory: Beyond the Lights which takes a deeper dive into the feature stories that will be done on the broadcast throughout the season.
“During the podcast this season, there will be interviews with people with connections to southeast Ohio football along with some influential people in the history of Gridiron Glory.”
This year’s digital host is Donovan Varney, an Ohio University junior journalism news and information major. Varney will also serve as the SOC lead reporter. He will be on the Friday night show weekly, either reporting on the SOC or hosting our digital game segment called Extra Point.
Kopronica says the GG team looks forward to covering this season of southeast Ohio football and points out a few interesting storylines that the crew will be keeping tabs on.
- Tri-Valley looks to be one of the state's best teams in Division 3. Although in order to make it to Canton, they'll have to get through Region 11, one of the most difficult regions in the state. Their region opponents include Sheridan, Bloom-Carroll and Jackson with many other high-level teams outside of our coverage area.
- Ironton might be the best team in all of Division 5. They have plenty of talent returning on both sides, but they have to get through Wheelersburg and Harvest Prep to make it to Canton. They reached the state final in 2022 before falling to an undefeated South Range team.
- Ironton has also left the OVC this season, instead pursuing an independent schedule. Since joining the OVC in 2015, Ironton won the league seven times, including the last five years.
- With Ironton out of the conference, who's going to claim the crown? Gallia Academy and Fairland were spectacular last year, but both graduated talented senior classes. Time will tell if someone else steps up to make a run at the conference championship.
- Gridiron Glory Coach of the Year T.J. Carper left Vinton County following a season where the Vikings finished the regular season 9-1 with a TVC-Oho championship. Now, Marcus Games is taking the helm with the hopes of recapturing last season's success in a conference that features the always talented Nelsonville-York Buckeyes and an emerging Athens team.
Viewers can find Gridiron Glory on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and TikTok . They can also find each week’s program on WOUB’s YouTube channel .
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