Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

COAL GROVE — Big plays meant a big start to the season for the Coal Grove Hornets and first-year head coach Evan Ferguson.
Six of Coal Grove’s seven first half touchdowns were double digit gains as the Hornets racked up 329 total yards in the half and opened up a 45-0 cushion en route to a 51-6 rout of the Buffalo Bisons on Friday.
“We just tried to get better on every play and I thought the kids came out focused and didn’t let up. I didn’t want to take our foot off the gas pedal and I think they did that for me tonight. They got what they deserved. A good, hard-fought win,” said Ferguson.
Coal Grove started its first three possessions in Buffalo territory and Kyle Sites scored on runs of 4 and 52 yards and also caught a 17-yard scoring strike from quarterback Nate Harmon.
While Sites had the one short scoring run to start the scoring, it was set up by a big play as Evan Holmes returned a punt 43 yards to the Buffalo 20.
The 17-yard touchdown pass was capped a 37-yard drive that was created by Jeb Jones’ interception after Harmon deflected a Buffalo pass.
The other first quarter touchdown was a 56-yard burst by Joey Workman as Coal Grove went up 27-0.
Sites had a 42-yard scoring run with 10:20 left in the half and Harmon hooked up with Sam Angelo on a 63-yard scoring pass for a 39-0 lead.
A 40-yard pass to Evan Holmes got the ball to the Buffalo 9-yard line and Harmon hit Sites with a touchdown pass on the next play with eight seconds left in the half.
Sites had six carries for 116 yards in the first half and three receptions for 30 yards as he scored five touchdowns. Harmon was 6-of-11 passing for 143 yards in the half and three touchdowns.
Coal Grove finished with 386 total yards. All the passing yards came in the first half.
“We tried to be balanced. We built it all off our wing-T offense. Just because we spread it out doesn’t mean we want to wing it around. I think the kids understand that we want to be able to do anything at any time,” said Ferguson.
Buffalo was held to 55 total yards — just 12 rushing — and two first downs in the first half.
“We came out and set the tone and I hope that’s what we’re going to do this year at Coal Grove and for years to come.”
Coal Grove’s second unit did all the work in the second half and backup tailback Austin Stormes scored a 29-yard run with 5:26 to play that set the final score.
The touchdown was set up by a Trey Hunt interception he returned 17 yards to the Buffalo 30.
The Bisons got their only score in the third quarter on a 1-yard pass from Jackson England to Stephen Booth. The play was set up by a 27-yard pass play to Tyler Morlachetta.
“It’s always good to start off 1-0 than 0-1. It’s just a number but it’s an important number,” said Ferguson.
Coal Grove hosts Lucasville Valley next Friday.
Buffalo    0    0    6    0    =    6
Coal Grove    27    18    0    6    =    51
First Quarter
CG — Kyle Sites 4 run (Evan Holmes kick) 7:58
CG — Kyle Sites 17 pass from Nate Harmon (Evan Holmes kick) 6:47
CG — Kyle Sites 52 run (Evan Holmes kick) 4:17
CG — Joey Workman 56 run (kick failed) 2:33
Second Quarter
CG — Kyle Sites 42 run (kick failed) 10:20
CG — Sam Angelo 63 pass from Nate Harmon (kick failed) 7:32
CG — Kyle Sites 9 pass from Nate Harmon (kick failed) 0:08
Third Quarter
Bu — Steven Boothe 1 pass from Jackson England (run failed) 0:04
Fourth Quarter
CG — Austin Stormes 29 run (run failed) 5:26
——
Buf    CG
First downs    8    12
Rushes-yards    27-19    27-243
Passing yards    124    143
Total yards    143    386
Cmp-Att-Int    13-17-2    6-11-0
Fumbles-lost    1-1    2-1
Penalties-yards    1-5    5-25
Punts-average    5-30.6    2-29.5
——
Individual Leaders
RUSHING —Buffalo Stephen Booth 2-4, Jesse Reed 2-7, Timmy Moore 8-17, Ethan Burgess 2-6; Coal Grove: Kyle Sites 6-118, Joey Workman 2-63, Nate Harmon 1-5, Kimo Baldwin 3-15, Evan Holmes 1-13, Trey Hunt 2-11, Cory Borders 1-0, Austin Stapleton 1-2, Austin Stormes 7-36, team 1-minus 18.
PASSING — Buffalo: Ethan Burgess 3-4-1 43, Jackson England 10-13-1 81; Coal Grove: Nate Harmon 6-11-0 143.
RECEIVING — Buffalo: Stephen Booth 6-49, Tyler Morlachetta 4-45, Hayden Handley 1-1, Chance Jones 1-9, Elijah Brock 1-10; Coal Grove: Kyle Sites 3-30, Sam Angelo 2-73, Evan Holmes 1-40.