Jackets Host OS in State Quarterfinals

By Greg Addington

Coalfield hosts Oliver Springs in a quarterfinal clash this Friday on Rochelle Field, and in the storied history of this rivalry it will be the first time the two schools have faced off in the TSSAA postseason.  It is also the first time that Coalfield and Oliver Springs have met on the gridiron in the month of November since 1947.  Strangely enough, in that 1947 season, the Yellow Jackets did not play Oneida on the football field and played the Bobcats twice in the same season and all three events have reoccurred in the crazy year that is called 2020.

The Yellow Jackets defeated the Bobcats in the regular season meeting by a final score of 14-7 back on October 23.  The victory clinched Coalfield’s first region title since 2013 and was their ninth win in the last ten meetings against Oliver Springs.  The Yellow Jackets rallied from a 7-0 deficit with a Landon Lowe 2-yard touchdown run just before the half.  The score capped off a 12-play, 56-yard drive and gave the Jackets an 8-7 lead at the half.  Coalfield extended their lead to the final margin with a fourth quarter Isaac McKinney 1-yard touchdown run.  Seth Lowe ran for 105 yards on 17 carries and had two receptions for 17 yards to lead the Jackets in both rushing and receiving.  He also led the team on the defensive side of the ledger with 15 tackles on defense.

Last week Coalfield defeated Greenback in a 26-20 nail biter on Rochelle Field.  The Jacket defense turned away two Greenback runs with tackles inside the one at the end of the second half and again with the game in the balance to remain undefeated on the 2020 season.  Seth Lowe ran for 128 yards on 16 carries and scored a touchdown to lead the Jackets on offense.  Cole Hines (2 completions for 38 yards), Landon Lowe (13 rushes for 67 yards and a TD) and Isaac McKinney (9 rushes for 53 and a TD) carried the load on offense on a night when CHS outrushed Greenback 312-104.  Hines added a 20-yard touchdown pass to Haden Hicks.  Oliver Springs defeated Cloudland on John Orr Field in Roan Mountain 24-20.  Brandon Nation led the Bobcats with 86 yards rushing on 15 carries and quarterback Zack Elliott was 4-of-8 passing for 36 yards and a scoring strike to Kane Gouge from 19 yards out.

Coalfield faces Oliver Springs this Friday with a ticket to the semifinal round on the line.  Tickets are available at the TSSAA Sports website (www.tssaasports.com) or by using the GoFan app.  Kickoff on Rochelle Field is at 7pm.