Pigskin Preview – Playoff Round 1
Coalfield vs Jellico
By Greg Addington
Coalfield School begins their annual playoff run this Friday night, hosting a familiar foe in Jellico on Rochelle Field. In the early 80’s and again in the late 80’s and 90’s and for most of the last decade, the Blue Devils were a yearly region foe. However, with the last round of classifications by the TSSAA, Jellico moved to Region 1A and dropped off the schedule for the last two years.
Friday night Coalfield will extend a playoff participation streak to the 15th season which is 3rd longest in Class A (only South Pittsburg and Wayne County have longer streaks with both starting their 18th straight postseason Friday night.) Coach Keith Henry’s squad enters the second season battle tested with losses to top-ranked Greenback and to Class AA Oneida and Marion County and Class AAA York Institute.
Jellico interim Head Coach Johnny Massengale stepped in to provide stability for a program that saw two head coach hires come and go during the offseason. Offensively, the Blue Devils have struggled to put points on the scoreboard and have dealt with their own injuries during the season. The Devils run the spread on offense and line up in a 4-3 on the defensive side of the ball.
A reminder for fans coming to the game on Friday night, all playoff games kick off state wide at 7pm local time, so join us for a football playoff Friday on Rochelle Field at 7pm as the Jackets tussle with the Blue Devils.
Wartburg at South Greene
By Terry Futrell
Wartburg’s current football seniors were in 5th grade the last time the Bulldogs participated in the TSSAA playoffs in 2011. After a long dry spell that included two seasons with no victories and 25 consecutive losses, Wartburg’s football program is on the rebound. The Bulldogs provided fans lots of excitement this season as the they chalked up four victories, the most since 2012. In spite of being shut out by Coalfield and York Institute, Wartburg’s dynamic offense averaged 24.2 points per game for the season.
The Bulldog offense is led by dual-threat quarterback Josh Moore, who completed 81 of 139 passes for 1,235 yards and 16 touchdowns. Moore carried the ball 89 times for 561 yards and 11 touchdowns. Moore’s top receivers are Caleb McCarty with 27 catches for 692 yards and 10 touchdowns, and Coby Justes with 20 catches for 732 yards and 10 touchdowns. Saylor Jones had 18 catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns and ran the ball 14 times for 114 yards and three touchdowns.
Top defensive performers for the Bulldogs were Saylor Jones with 58.5 tackles, Josh Laymance with 36.5 tackles and five sacks, and Jake Hamby with 25 tackles and two interceptions.
The South Greene Rebels have a 6-4 record and lost only to Happy Valley in Region 1-AA, being shut out 21-0 just a week ago. The Rebels have also put up some big points this season, averaging 27.4 points per game. The Rebels defense also gave up some big points. Sullivan North, which won only one Region 1-AA game, scored 27 against the Rebels, who barely won 34-27.
With both offenses having the ability to put points on the scoreboard, defense will likely determine the winner of this opening round playoff game. Look for lots of action as the Bulldogs travel to South Greene for a Friday evening matchup at 7:00 PM.