Coalfield vs Scott County Preview

By Greg Addington

Coalfield follows up a very familiar foe with an unfamiliar one as the Yellow Jackets will tangle with the Scott Highlanders for the first time since 1996 in a week two battle on Rochelle Field.  The two schools split a home-and-home series in 1995-1996 with each school winning a game at the other school’s venue.  Coalfield won at Highlander Stadium 21-7 on 8/19/1995 and Scott returned the favor a year later by winning 28-7 on Rochelle Field.

Coach Josh Terry’s Highlanders have a challenging region schedule, however their reclassification from 3A to 4A allows them to avoid perennial power Alcoa.  There is still considerable competition in Region 2-4A with Anderson County, Fulton, South-Doyle, Carter and Gibbs on the region worksheet.  At the Kingston Jamboree Junior Brady Strunk ran the offense from the quarterback position and Oliver Springs saw a steady dose of both Strunk and Senior Running Back Cannon Vanhook running the football.  Sophomore Hugo Henry is a versatile athlete that can line up in the backfield or in the slot for the Highlanders and will also placekick.  The line is sizable and anchored by Seniors Zane Henry and Skyler Smith.

Last week the Yellow Jackets extended their win streak over Wartburg to 12 with a 42-0 victory on Rochelle Field.  Senior Canaan Bowling ran for 99 yards on ten carries including a score and fellow Senior Landon Lowe ran for 27 yards and reached the end zone twice.  Levi Mullins added a 9-yard touchdown run and Landon Galyon and Tucker West each caught touchdown passes from Cole Hines and Zach Armstrong respectively.  The Jacket defense had a banner night, holding the Bulldogs to 30 yards total offense.

Long time Coalfield fans may remember the rivalry that Coalfield enjoyed with Scott High’s predecessor, Huntsville High, back in the late 40s, 50s and 60s.  The Yellow Jackets had a slight edge in the series with an 11-10-4 overall record, however the Bears won the last six games before Huntsville High closed in 1970.  Coalfield defends Rochelle Field from a Highlander invasion on Friday night with kickoff scheduled for 7:30pm.