Coal Grove must shut down Fairview#8217;s aerial assault
Published 12:00 am Thursday, August 31, 2006
COAL GROVE — Instant replay?
After playing a wide-open offense last week against Lawrence County, Ky., the Coal Grove Hornets host another pass-happy Kentucky offense as the Fairview Eagles visit Patterson Field.
Coal Grove head coach Dave Lucas expects more of the same type of offense his defense had to tackle in its opener.
“They have some quick kids flanked. They spread the field. They’ll run three-wide and run some I. They mix it up,” Lucas said.
“They have a really nice quarterback. He runs well and throws well. He’ll be a challenge for us.
Fairview won its opener over Paintsville before losing 13-6 last week to East Carter.
Fairview is led by junior quarterback Daniel Armstrong, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound junior. Armstrong is 9 of 22 for 228 yards in two games this season.
“We’ll try to take him away from them if we can,” Lucas said.
Armstrong’s main target is Jason Kouns (6-0, 165) who has five receptions for 121 yards.
Fairview has balance in its offense with running back Danny Stewart, a 5-10, 185-pound senior. Stewart has carried 26 times for 161 yards and scored three touchdowns this season.
“They have some quick kids who flank out. They spread the field. They’ll run three-wide and run some. They mix it up,” Lucas said.
While Fairview tries to keep the Hornets off-balance with a running game, Coal Grove always has a good running game it sends up against opponents and this season is no different.
Tailback Trent Blankenship burst onto the scene with 220 yards rushing on 19 carries plus two touchdowns in his starting debut as Coal Grove routed Lawrence County, Ky., 30-6 in its opener last Friday.
“(Blankenship) did some things that surprised me, but I’m not totally surprised. He did some good things for us last year,” Lucas said.
“And our offensive line did a nice job. They’re a good group. They’re a determined bunch.”
The Hornets determination on offense will have to conquer a defense Lucas said “has real good balance. All their kids can play.
“They have a real big defensive line. Their quarterback (Armstrong) is the inside linebacker. They’ll be a tough challenge,’ Davis said.