Coalfield vs Oneida Game Preview

By Greg Addington

Coalfield wraps up the 2021 regular season hosting Oneida and renewing a rivalry that had to take a one year break due to COVID-19.  There is a long history between the two schools which intensified when Oneida natives Keith and Jared Henry walked the sidelines of Rochelle Field. While there is mutual respect between the schools and the communities, it is still very much a game both sides want to win.  Oneida still has much to play for as an Indian win would clinch the Region 2AA title.

Coalfield emerged from their scheduled open week with a 34-6 dismantling of Oliver Springs on DJ Brittain Field last Friday night.  A Cole Hines-to-Haden Hicks touchdown pass started off the scoring for the visiting Jackets, then Hines returned a Zack Elliott pass 48-yards for the touchdown and CHS never looked back.  Landon Lowe scored two touchdowns and Coalton Henry scored a touchdown and added another highlight reel worthy hit to cause a fumble that would be recovered by Brock Jones.  Henry, Jones and Landon Lowe led the way defensively for Coalfield with nine tackles apiece.

Oneida defeated homestanding Sequoyah Friday night after a slow start, 35-7.  Senior running back Rylin Duncan scored two touchdowns with sophomore TJ Meredith tacking on an 80-yard scoring run and Jayden Anderson added a seven-yard touchdown scamper.  Sophomore quarterback Caden Rector threw a touchdown pass to Hunter Shoemaker.

Both schools are navigating the 2021 season with new head coaches, but for Oneida, it is a return of former co-head coach Jimmy May as head football coach for the Indians after long time coach Tony Lambert resigned to become an assistant coach at the college ranks in Kentucky.  Both schools are throwing the football more and Oneida certainly leaned on a ball control offense along with a tough, stingy defense under Coach Lambert.  But under Coach May, the passing game is getting more attention.  Coalfield is also throwing the football more, with quarterback Cole Hines needing only 37 yards to reach the 1,000-yard passing milestone for the year.  Defensively, the Indians did not have a good outing in their first game of the year against Kentucky power Williamsburg, yielding 50 points in a loss, however the Indians have improved since that time.

Coalfield and Oneida face off on Senior Night on Rochelle Field Friday night, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30pm.