Coalers fall in football quarterfinal

The Coal City football team watched their season sail through the uprights when Richmond-Burton kicked a field goal with 1:45 left to win the Class 4A quarterfinal 17-14.

The Coaler season concludes at 10-2 after winning 10 straight.

What hurt most were a pair of Coaler turnovers and allowing the visiting Rockets good field position in the closing minutes in an otherwise balanced game between two steadfast teams.

With the game tied 14-14 at halftime, each team did a fine job defending their side of the field until Richmond-Burton got good field position with 4:29 remaining. The Rockets were only 39 yards out from goal, yet the Coalers held their ground until a couple of running plays had them on their heels at the 1:51 mark. Richmond-B got as close as the 13-yard line and a first down. After reaching the six-yard-old, the visitors were pushed back and faced 4th-and-7 at the 16. They elected to try a field goal which cleared the uprights making the 17-14 final.

The Coalers got the ball back but was intercepted and the Rockets burned up the clock to win. They advance to the state semi-final next week against the winner of a Saturday night game between IC Catholic and Marengo.

For a complete report, including photos, read the Nov. 13 Coal City Courant.