Coalfield Downs OS in a Squeaker!

By Terry Futrell – October 19, 2018

In today’s world where it seems that a victory margin of 40+ points is the norm in high school football, it is refreshing to see two evenly matched teams duke it out with victory not assured until the last minute of play. Such was the case tonight as the Coalfield Yellow Jackets pulled victory from the ashes of defeat, scoring in the last minute to down the Oliver Springs Bobcats 22-16.

In a spirited rivalry that goes back seven decades, it was only fitting that the outcome of this game should remain in suspense until the very last minute. Down 16-7 entering the fourth quarter, the Yellow Jackets clawed their way to victory in a game that fans will long remember as one of the classics in this rivalry.

Coalfield took the opening kickoff and fought their way down to the Bobcat 32-yard line. Peyton McKinney then connected with Jeffrey Speer for a 32-yard touchdown. Wyatt Withrow kicked the PAT and the Jackets were up 7-0. Neither team could gain an advantage for the remainder of the first half and Coalfield took a 7-0 lead into the locker room at intermission.

A rejuvenated Bobcat team came out of the locker room and gave the Jackets more than they could handle. Bobcat running back Trey Boswell ran the ball four consecutive plays, gaining a total of 51 yards to take the ball to the Jackets 14-yard line. After four plays that resulted in a 1-yard loss, quarterback Blake Crass connected with Mason Hill for a 15-yard touchdown. The Bobcats made the 2-point conversion and took an 8-7 lead.

Coalfield began their next drive on their own 35, but had no success moving the ball and went three and out, punting the ball to the Bobcat 22. The Bobcats methodically moved down the field, culminating the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run by Mason Hill. Crass connected with Blake Nation for the successful 2-point conversion and the Bobcats led 16-7 at the end of the third quarter.

Coalfield again went three and out, punting the ball to the Bobcat 32-yard line. Oliver Springs chewed up both yardage and the clock, moving the ball to the Coalfield 5-yard line. The drive was highlighted by a 34-yard pass completion from Crass to Bailey Russell. At this point, the Bobcat drive halted and Coalfield took over on their own 10-yard line with 5:48 to go and down 16-7.

The Jackets moved the ball to the 48-yard line, but a critical holding penalty moved the Jackets back to the 33. Peyton McKinney then connected with Aston Jones for 49 yards. A face mask penalty on the Bobcats advanced the ball to the 9-yard line. After a 2-yard loss, McKinney ran the ball in for an 11-yard touchdown. The PAT by Withrow was good and the Jackets trailed 16-14 with 3:09 remaining in the game.

At this point, it seemed that Oliver Springs would likely run out the clock and bask in sweet victory, which they might have done had they gotten their hands on the ball. Coalfield had other plans and successfully executed an onside kick, giving the Jackets one more opportunity to strike gold.

Beginning at the Bobcat 49, the Jackets lost a yard and then had a false start penalty, moving the ball back to their own 46-yard line. McKinney then hit Seth Lowe for 19 yards, and ran the ball himself for 19 more. A Bobcat personal foul moved the ball to the Oliver Springs 4-yard line. McKinney scored, only to have the play called back for a false start, placing the ball on the 9. After short runs by McKinney and Jones, the Bobcats were called for another personal foul, placing the ball on the 1-yard line. From there McKinney ran for the touchdown, and Jones successfully ran for the 2-point conversion. The Jackets now led 22-16 with 58 seconds left to play.

Oliver Springs took the ball at their own 11-yard line with 56.3 seconds to play and moved to the 48-yard line before time ran out, sealing the Coalfield victory in one of the wildest finishes seen in these parts in recent years. With the victory, the Yellow Jackets clinched second place in Region 2 and a home playoff opener in two weeks. Oliver Springs moves on to battle with Midway for third and fourth place seeds in the playoffs.