Coalfield vs Greenback Preview

By Greg Addington – November 15, 2018

It’s another postseason rematch this week as Coach Keith Henry’s Yellow Jackets hit the road again to face Greenback on Cooper Field.  This is the sixth postseason meeting between the two schools going back eight years and it will be the fourth straight playoff game played at Greenback.

Last week Coalfield created another fourth quarter rally for the ages as the Jackets scored twice in the last 4:55 and defeated Cloudland with a Peyton McKinney slant pass to Isaac Vanwitzenburg for the deciding touchdown with 0:23.2 seconds remaining.  McKinney threw for 93 yards and two touchdowns and Jonathon Woodward ran for 119 yards and a touchdown in the win.  Greenback defeated Oliver Springs last week 33-12 as senior quarterback Bryce Hanley threw for 234 yards on 13 of 21 passing.

Both teams know each other well and Coalfield’s injury totals in the 2018 season are well known.  Greenback received a setback last week as junior Holden Willis has been lost due to a broken collarbone.  Willis’ height created headaches for opposing teams and his absence will mean that Coach Greg Ryan will have to rely on Blake Morton and Cole and Seth Riddle along with a potent ground game.  During the regular season game, Willis led all Greenback receivers with 90 yards in receptions, but it was Seth Riddle who caught three touchdowns in the red zone for the Cherokees.

In the regular season game, the Jackets were missing senior Ashton Jones, but got 78 yards rushing from Seth Lowe. Offensive coordinator Jason Wilson will have Jones back and close to 100 percent.  The Jackets will be able to show more looks to the Greenback defense and Peyton McKinney continues to improve week-to-week at quarterback.  The rematch kicks off at 7pm at Cooper Field with the winner traveling next week to play the winner of South Pittsburg at Whitwell. The Tigers defeated the Pirates in their regular season showdown 34-12.