Disco versus country. Disney and Tarantino. Rabbit hunting and Broadway plays.
Extreme opposites, all, just as Coal Grove and Fairland are in high school football. The teams meet at 7 p.m. Friday at Jim Mayo Memorial Stadium in Rome Township, Ohio.
The Hornets (5-2, 3-1 Ohio Valley Conference) bring a powerful rushing attack and rarely throw. The Dragons (7-1, 5-0) feature a strong air attack and solid running game.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe know what theyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll do,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Fairland coach Mike Jackson said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œTheyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll try to run it down our throats. Iso and trap. We just have to man up. They like ball control, managing the clock, three-and-four-yards you to death until they break a long run.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Coal Grove pounds defenses with Kaden Murphy and Caden Turner, workhorse backs with speed and power.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThat fullback looks about 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Jackson said of Turner. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThey pound it good. We canÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t just key on Murphy. We have to tackle low. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll be a challenge. They have a good 1-2 punch.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
The Hornets have to prepare for the DragonsÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ passing game, even though starting quarterback Ethan Wall is out with an injury. Jack Hayden, who plays wide receiver, running back and quarterback, will be under center in WallÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s place. A stellar athlete, Hayden was in the running for the starting QB job in the preseason.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHe was better (Tuesday) in practice,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Jackson said of Hayden, who started in a 36-0 victory over South Point and a 41-0 loss to Ironton. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s played wherever we need him. JackÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s a great athlete and will do anything to help us win.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
With a victory, Fairland can clinch at least a tie for the OVC title. The Dragons can win the league outright with a victory Friday and next week at home against Chesapeake.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI feel good,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Jackson said about his team. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re back in OVC playing. WeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re still in first place. We need to finish our season out right.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Coal Grove is on a roll, having beaten Gallia Academy 46-8 and South Point 43-0. Fairland lost 41-0 to Ironton last week, but trailed just 6-0 at halftime.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe played very well for a half,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Jackson said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe have to put that together for four quarters against playoff caliber teams.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Attempts to reach Coal Grove coach Jay Lucas for comment were unsuccessful before press time.
