Cloudland was unable to keep their season alive against what is becoming a familiar foe.
For the fourth time in five years, the ‘Landers were unable to overcome Coalfield in the playoffs with 54-14 loss at Orr Field in the Class A playoffs.
The loss ends Cloudland season at 5-7.
The ‘Landers found themselves in an early hole.
The Yellow Jackets Parker McKinney found Austin Lowe for a 19-yard touchdown pass on the game’s opening drive – a play after going for it on fourth down with a fake punt. After the ‘Landers were stopped on fourth down, Coalfield increased the lead to 13-0 with a 24-yard run by McKinney. The Yellow Jackets increased the lead to 20-0 at the end of the first quarter with another McKinney touchdown.
Lowe and McKinney reversed roles in the opening minutes of the second quarter as Lowe hit McKinney for an 11-yard touchdown on a halfback pass. The ‘Landers started to get some offensive traction, but Coalfield pushed the lead to 40-0.
Cloudland got on the board on the last play of the first half as sophomore Malachi Benfield hit senior Brinkley Mull for a touchdown. Jacob Singleton caught the conversion to close the gap to 32-8 at the half.
Senior Noah Arnett broke free for a big run in the third quarter, and then added the touchdown on a one-yard dive. However, the ‘Landers were unable to convert the momentum into a rally.
Arnett finished with 94 yards on 21 carries, while Josh Blair had nine carries for 39 yards. Benfield added 33 yards on eight carries.
Benfield also went 6-of-13 passing for 73 yards. Senior Brinkley Mull caught five passes for 72 yards.
For Coalfield, McKinney had 240 offensive yards. The Yellow Jackets advanced to play Greenback.
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