Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — The schedule just doesn’t get any easier for the Coal Grove Hornets.

After three tough games to start the season, the winless Hornets are bracing for the Raceland Rams who are 3-1.

So far Coal Grove has played Meigs, Wheelersburg and Lucasville Valley who have a combined 8-1 record. Raceland’s only loss was 35-34 in overtime at Ashland in a game the Rams led by 14 points on two occasions and missed two scoring opportunities on turnovers.

“This is one of the better Raceland teams I’ve seen,” said Hornets’ coach Dave Lucas. “We’ve played two good games and one bad game. We’ll need to play a good game this week.”

The Rams’ offense is led by 6-foot, 180-pound senior running back Daylin Beach — he visited Cincinnati last week — who ran for more than 1,000 yards last season.

Senior quarterback Adam Elkins (5-11, 163) is a two-way threat, fullback Zack Litteral (5-7, 175) is a hard runner, and wide receiver and safety Connor Messer (6-3, 161) is an outstanding athlete.

Up front the Rams have an experienced line led by senior tackle Alec Risner (6-1, 283). Also up front are tackle Austin Manis (6-2, 240), senior Nevan Johnson (6-4, 290) and freshman Isaac Wallace (6-1, 197) at the guards and junior Lucas Bradley (5-11, 290) at center.

“They have good size and two real good athletes. Beach is a nice running back and (Messer) is a real good receiver,” said Lucas. “They’re big in the middle and quick on the outside. We’ll have to move them to have any success.”

Lucas said a key for the Hornets will be limiting or eliminating their turnovers.

“We have to hang onto the ball. We can’t turn the ball over and win. We’ve stopped ourselves. That’s experience. We’ve got a lot of new guys at the skilled positions. These guys are feeling their way around,” said Lucas.

“We’re going to do the same thing we’ve been doing, we’re just going to try to do it better.”