Oakdale Middle School Advances Over Coalfield
By Terry Futrell – October 20, 2018
[Edited to correct running score]
Just when things looked bleak for the future of football at Oakdale, a shining ray of hope burst through as the Oakdale Middle School Eagles defeated Coalfield Thursday evening 28-20 in overtime to advance to the playoff championship.
It looked bad for the Eagles when Coalfield’s AJ Henry returned the opening kickoff 61 yards for a touchdown. Eli Roberts successfully ran the 2-point conversion and Coalfield was up 8-0 with only eleven seconds elapsed in the game.
Adding insult to injury, Coalfield then executed a successful onside kick and took possession at the Oakdale 45. The Yellow Jackets could not move the ball and went three and out. The punt by Logan Bunch was covered by Oakdale’s Nehemiah Cooney at the Oakdale 26.
On their opening drive, the Eagles were also unsuccessful in moving the ball and were forced to punt. Coalfield’s Eli Roberts fielded the punt at the Coalfield 32, then returned the ball to the Oakdale 47-yard line.
Coalfield moved the ball to the Oakdale 7, but quarterback Cole Hines was sacked by Tim Holder at the 16. After an incomplete pass, Hines connected with Rommel Conlon for a 16-yard touchdown. The 2-point conversion failed and Coalfield led 14-0 early in the second quarter.
Oakdale took the kickoff at the Coalfield 37-yard line. Jeremy Fitzpatrick ran out of the wildcat for 29 yards to the Coalfield 8. After being backed up by a penalty, Fitzpatrick then ran 13 yards for an Oakdale touchdown. The 2-point conversion failed and Coalfield led 14-6.
Coalfield’s next possession began at the Oakdale 41. On the third play of the drive, Hines’ pass was deflected and intercepted by Oakdale’s Sydney Gregory at the Oakdale 27-yard line. Oakdale then executed a sustained drive down to the Coalfield 17, highlighted by a 20-yard pass from Tim Holder to Roy Huskey. Gregory then connected with Huskey for a 17-yard touchdown. Fitzpatrick ran the 2-point conversion and the game was tied 14-14 at the half.
Oakdale began the second half losing 10 yards in three plays and having to punt. Coalfield took over on their own 27, but also went three and out and had to punt.
Taking over at midfield, the Eagles moved the ball to the Coalfield 29. After a fumble on the snap, Coalfield’s Cole Hines recovered and ran the ball back to the Coalfield 39. The third quarter ended with no score and the game tied 14-14.
Coalfield then moved the ball to the Oakdale 49. Hines’ pass was intercepted by Holder at the Oakdale 37 and returned to the Coalfield 12-yard line. Fitzpatrick then had runs of 4 yards and 8 yards for an Eagle touchdown. The conversion failed and Oakdale led 20-14 with 4:36 left in the fourth quarter.
Coalfield’s next drive began at their own 47. After a 30-yard run by Roberts, the Jackets quickly moved to the Oakdale 17. Hines pass was intercepted by Huskey in the end zone and Oakdale took over at their own 20. The Eagles went three and out and punted the ball to the 49, where it was taken by Roberts and returned to the Oakdale 42.
Coalfield began a desperation drive with 1:41 left on the clock. The Jackets quickly executed 10 plays covering 42 yards and scored on a 2-yard run by Hines. The conversion failed, leaving the score tied at 20-20. Oakdale took possession with only two seconds left and regulation ended in a tie.
Coalfield won the toss and elected to go on defense. Beginning at the Coalfield 10-yard line, Fitzpatrick ran the ball three consecutive times for an Eagle touchdown, then successfully ran the 2-point conversion, putting the Eagles ahead 28-20. Coalfield then began their overtime possession at the 10-yard line. After two rushes that gained 5 yards, Hines’ pass intended for Henry was incomplete. On fourth down, Henry’s pass was intercepted by Oakdale’s Braden Robinson to end the game with an Oakdale victory by a score of 28-20.
Oakdale moves on to play for the championship on October 27 at noon at Campbell County High School. The loss ended the season for the Yellow Jackets.