Jay Lucas and Coal Grove make key adjustments for conference title defense
By: Charlie Lusk
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IRONTON, Ohio (WOUB) — There are many adjectives you can use to describe the Ohio Valley Conference over the past two seasons, but predictable and stable are not the most appropriate. That is unless you are talking about Jay Lucas’ Coal Grove Hornets.
The seven-year head coach is the only coach in the OVC to be at the same spot since 2024. Lucas has brought the Hornets to the postseason every year except for his first, coaching in eleven of the program’s 27 playoff games.
Last year was among Coal Grove’s biggest accomplishments under Lucas: capturing the OVC Championship going undefeated in conference play. With a much different looking offense and several conference opponents looking to bounce back, the pressure is on the Hornets to repeat.
The Hornets inherit a rich history of quality ball carriers stemming back to the 1970’s. Names like Randy Hall, Steve Cook, Brian Davis and 2022 GGPOTY Chase Hall. Last year Coal Grove added another alumni to that list: running back Kaden Murphy. The Hornets graduate an almost 1,900 rushing yards as well as fellow rusher Caden Turner.
This leaves running backs Gauge Kraft, Braden Schug, and Case Webb to take the reins on the ground. “[Case Webb] he’s a very nice running back that, you know, hasn’t had a chance to because he’s been behind some really good players,” Coach Jay Lucas said about the senior back. “…those three guys are really special backs.”
The Hornet offense will also be getting sparks with the emergence of Sophomore quarterback Truitt Fields. With him stepping into the role and the vote of confidence from Coach Lucas, Fields’ presence will ease some of the pressure of the backs of the backs.
“Individual wise I just want to have a good season,” Fields said. “Stats, they’re anything but I just want to win games and then win the OVC Championship.”
Coal Grove spent much of their offensive plays in the Wishbone or Wing-T formation last year. But with confidence in the passing game, they expect to utilize more single back formations.
Of the six schools in the OVC, three are going into the season with new head coaches, and three are going into their second season with their coaches. That gives Coal Grove a leg up in experience but also paints a target on their back with new coaches trying to prove themselves.
The success of last season in the eyes of many fans can be overshadowed by its ending. In their first home playoff game in three years, Coal Grove was upset by Morgan for the Hornets’ third straight first round exit. To repeat the success in the conference as well as take the next step forward in November, the Hornets need to take the lessons they’ve learned and grow mentally, according to senior offensive tackle Ayden Hankins.
“We gotta take those losses as motivation and just keep working harder until we get a point where we don’t lose.” With a historically run heavy team with Coal Grove, Hankins’ role as one of the few returning starters on the line is critical.
Coal Grove’s season starts on Aug. 21 at home against Russell (KY) with their conference title defense starting Sep. 11 against Chesapeake.