Coal Grove blanks Piketon

Published 12:00 am Sunday, August 29, 2004

PIKETON - Coach Dave Lucas picked up where he left off: winning.

In the return of Lucas as head coach, the Coal Grove Hornets made an early score stand up as they blanked the Piketon Red Streaks 8-0 Friday in the season opener for both teams.

"It's good win and a good start. I'm happy for the kids," Lucas said. "We still have a lot of work to do, and the kids know it."

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Coal Grove put together the game's only scoring drive after the opening kickoff, marching 75 yards in seven plays capped by Justin Hyland's 4-yard touchdown run.

Hyland ran for the conversion and it was 8-0.

The Hornets had another scoring drive in the third quarter, but it ended on a fumble at the 6-yard line. A third scoring drive was halted on a penalty.

The big key for the Hornets was the defense.

"Our defense played super," Lucas said. "We reacted to everything they did. They would make a good play and our kids would react and make a good play of their own."

Lucas said Colton Hitchcock, Patrick Roush, Gary Moore and Paul Dale all turned in strong defensive efforts, and "our secondary did a nice job because they threw a lot."

Hyland was the workhorse for the Coal Grove offense. He carried 29 times for 209 yards.

"He carried the mail," Lucas said. "We threw a lot on his shoulders, but he's a tough kid."

It marked the second straight season the Hornets have opened with a win over Piketon.

Justin Bryant had 52 yards on 15 carries for Piketon.

Coal Grove plays at Fairview, Ky., next Friday.