Hornets poised to run through OVC

COAL GROVE, Ohio -- For Coal Grove, maybe the Hornets should be called the Horses in 2008.

With a returning backfield that includes Chris Brammer, Frank Delawder and Oakie Haynes off a team that went 7-2 overall and shared the OVC title in 2007, the Hornets will be running.

"We feel like we have some kids back there with some size that can run," Coal Grove head coach Dave Lucas said. "That's the reason our time at the line of scrimmage is really important for us."

In addition to the running backs, Coal Grove has seven starters back on both offense and defense, meaning that Lucas is able to spend more time refining technique rather than teaching it.

"Individual technique is always a big issue, but once you get those down, you have to get everyone to speed," Lucas said.

Ball control is the mainstay of the Coal Grove offense, and Lucas said he has worked on his team's ability to hang onto the football.

And despite not frequently utilizing the passing game, the Hornets have plenty of weapons when they need to "throw to win," Lucas said.

Wayne Sparks and Shannon Goodwin have both taken snaps at quarterback and Lucas remained cryptic as to who his starter will be, but he said regardless of who wins out, both are capable of running the team and throwing the ball as evidenced in the 7-on-7 drills this summer.

Lucas said his offensive line was the biggest question mark throughout camp, but even there, the team returns the entire right side of the line.

Defensively, Lucas is excited to have plenty of experience at the linebacker position and in the secondary.

Lucas said he has six different linebackers that could play without his defense missing a beat. Delawder will headline the group along with Bubba Wood.

In the secondary, Brammer and Haynes return to the mix to compile a group that lost just one player from the 2007 squad.

"We lost one kid, but that's it," Lucas said. "Our kids know where they are going back there."

The composition of Coal Grove's 2008 squad makes puts the Hornets on a pedestal heading into the ever-competitive OVC this season, but Lucas said that the team must be ready to play each week.

"There's always high expectations when you have a lot of kids coming back," Lucas said. "But this league has been competitive ever since I've been in it.

"Fairland is going to be solid. You've got Rock Hill and South Point, a lot of returning players. Chesapeake will also be much improved. We are going to have to come out each week and play well and execute."