Greenback Ends Coalfield’s Playoff Hopes
By Terry Futrell – November 17, 2018
The record books will only show that Greenback defeated Coalfield 35-7 in the TSSAA Class 1A quarterfinals, but the final score belies the fact that the game was largely a defensive struggle. Games between Greenback and Coalfield are never easy, and this one was no exception, with the battle lasting to the final horn.
The Yellow Jackets fought hard in the trenches, keeping Greenback’s potent offense in check for much of the game. Greenback’s offense was held to one touchdown in the first half, with their additional score coming on an interception return by the Cherokees’ defense. Meanwhile, the Jackets’ offense made it to the Greenback Red Zone twice in the first quarter, only to be denied both times. The Cherokees never drove to the Coalfield Red Zone in the first half, with their only offensive score coming on a 58-yard pass from quarterback Bryce Hanley to wide receiver Blake Morton.
The game got off to a wild start – any fans who blinked might have missed big plays. Coalfield received the opening kickoff. After a false start penalty on the first play, Greenback defender Trace Brown picked off a Peyton McKinney pass and returned it 26 yards to put Greenback on the board with only 21 seconds elapsed in the game.
McKinney returned the ensuing Greenback kickoff 69 yards to begin the Yellow Jackets drive at the Greenback 23-yard line. Coalfield drove to the Greenback 17-yard line, but turned the ball over on downs. On Greenback’s first play from scrimmage, McKinney intercepted Hanley’s pass and returned it 22 yards to the Greenback 38-yard line. The Jackets moved the ball to the 26-yard line, where Greenback again intercepted McKinney but could not move the ball and was forced to punt.
Coalfield was unsuccessful in moving the ball and Greenback once again intercepted a McKinney pass. This set up 58-yard scoring pass, giving Greenback a 14-0 lead at the end of the 1st quarter. The 2nd quarter was all defense as neither team was successful in moving the ball. Greenback took a 14-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Coalfield’s opening drive of the 2nd half was halted by Greenback’s 4th pass interception. The Cherokees ate up clock moving to the Coalfield 13-yard line, where midseason Alcoa transfer Jalen McCord ran the ball in for the Cherokees’ third score with 2:03 remaining to give Greenback a 21-0 lead.
Coalfield’s next drive began at their own 39-yard line. The Jackets moved to the Greenback 36-yard line before the 3rd quarter ended. On the first play of the 4th quarter, McKinney hit Anthony Foster in the end zone for a 36-yard touchdown and the Jackets closed the gap to 21-7.
Greenback countered on their next possession, running the ball in from 33 yards out to take a 28-7 lead with 9:13 remaining. Coalfield had no success in moving the ball, and Greenback tacked on an additional score with 2:26 to go, making the final 35-7.
Coalfield had much difficulty in running the ball against Greenback’s defense, gaining only 48 yards in 30 carries. The Jackets passed for 71 yards in the game for a total offense of 119 yards.
Greenback gained more than 320 yards in total offense, but the Coalfield defense played tough and halted several Cherokee drives, negating much of Greenback’s offensive output. Take away a few big plays by the Cherokees and a few penalties and turnovers, and the results could have been quite different. But, those are all part of the game. Needless to say, the Cherokees knew they had been in a difficult battle from start to finish to keep their playoff hopes alive. For the Jackets, their season was over but there was no reason for heads to hang in sorrow. They played with toughness and endurance – two characteristics that will prove invaluable in the future of each of these young men.