Coalfield Faces South Pittsburgh in State Semifinal
By Greg Addington
Friday night, the Yellow Jackets make their fifth trip to South Pittsburg to face the Pirates as the programs renew acquaintances in the 2020 Class A Semifinals. It is Coalfield’s sixth trip to the semifinal round game and the fifth for the program under the leadership of Coach Keith Henry. It is the first semifinal game since their 42-8 victory against Monterey in the 2014 semifinals which vaulted the program to their first TSSAA championship game appearance in school history. Standing in the way to a second BlueCross Bowl appearance will be South Pittsburg in what will be Coalfield’s seventh game in the series.
Last week, Coalfield defeated rival Oliver Springs on Rochelle Field in the quarterfinal round by a 36-0 final score. Isaac McKinney ran for 121 yards on 10 carries on the night and Seth Lowe scored three touchdowns to pace the Jackets. Coalfield ran for 280 yards against the Bobcats, yielding only 95 yards in total offense to Oliver Springs and removing any doubt after a closely contested regular season 14-7 CHS victory. The Jackets racked up 309 yards in total offense, however it was a ground game for both sides as the two teams combined for only 32 yards in passing.
South Pittsburg defeated Gordonsville in the other upper bracket quarterfinal, 37-7. Class A Mr. Football finalist Hunter Frame ran for 248 yards on 23 carries and scored a touchdown and Deandre Kelly ran for 151 yards on 11 carries and scored three times for Coach Vic Grider’s Pirates. The Pirates have speed in the backfield and size up front with a line led by fellow Mr. Football finalist Jared Stone at left guard and junior defensive tackle Gio Davis, who holds scholarship offers from Ole Miss and Tennessee. Coalfield’s ball control offense will need to be on point Friday night to keep the Pirate offense at bay.
Coalfield travels to South Pittsburg on Friday night with a state championship berth being awarded to the winner. Tickets are available at the TSSAA Sports website (www.tssaasports.com) or by using the GoFan app. Kickoff at Beene Stadium down in South Pittsburg will be at 7pm central time/8pm eastern.