Coalfield-Oneida Game Preview

By Greg Addington

Coalfield completes the 2019 regular season hosting Oneida on Rochelle Field in front of a Rivalry Thursday television audience.  The Yellow Jackets are eager to get back into the win column after two straight losses to Greenback and Oliver Springs.

Oliver Springs turned two early Coalfield fumbles into touchdowns and never looked back in a 27-0 victory on DJ Brittan Field.  The Yellow Jackets struggled to move the ball in a steady rain which lasted throughout the game and saw the Bobcats run for 188 yards as a team and dominate time of possession, holding the ball for over 34 minutes.  Defensively, Daniel Schaar continues to shine, collecting 18 tackles, three of which were solo.  Dylan Stewart added 13 tackles, two solo, Seth Lowe contributed 10 tackles and Isaac Vanwitzenburg had 10, one of which was solo.

Oneida took an early 3-0 lead on region foe Meigs County before the Tigers roared back with 24 unanswered points to clinch the Region 2-AA championship with a 24-3 win.  The Indians are led on the offensive side of the ball by senior quarterback Elijah West, senior running back Bryson Buttram and junior running back Kolby Morgan.  The Indians will run multiple formations on the offensive side of the ball, showing spread option often, but offensive coordinator Jimmy May will also show an I-formation and send West back to through in an empty set.  Seniors Trace Sexton and Jacob Hamilton are weapons in the passing game and Hunter Barnhart is an effective pass catcher from his tight end position.  Defensively, Tony Lambert has his squad line up in a base 4-3 with Sexton, Buttram and Barnhart providing leadership from the linebacker position.  Oneida as always, have exceptional special teams highlighted by punter Kolby Morgan and placekicker Rhemci Chitwood.

Coalfield hosts Oneida on Thursday night at 7pm on Rochelle Field.  The Jackets will travel next week to play Hancock County in the first round of the TSSAA playoffs.