Castlewood hosts Bland County on Friday
LEBANON – Last August’s 15th Coal Bowl featured an exciting shootout, with the Pioneers scoring the last three touchdowns to win 49-31. The game saw both teams combine for 53 first downs, 972 yards of total offense, 12 touchdowns, and 80 points. Coaches couldn’t use game film for defensive instruction.
Since its inception in 2011, the Coal Bowl has seen the Tigers lead with a 9-6 record. In contrast, Lebanon has a strong overall record of 42-18-2 in matchups against Russell County Schools, dating back to 1936.
It should be another exciting matchup on Thursday when the two Russell County rivals meet on Fuller Field at EMATS Stadium, with a 7 p.m. kickoff scheduled.
“I think Honaker is a talented football team,” Lebanon coach Hunter Norris said. “They’re definitely going to be ready to play. They’re hungry, but we’re hungry too. We’ve had a good preseason. We faced a lot of talented teams to see what we’re not good at, what we are good at, and what we need to fix.”
Both teams had strong seasons and reached the playoffs last year. Ridgeview ended Lebanon’s run, while Eastside defeated Honaker to conclude their season.
Both clubs played Mountain 7 foes as a tuneup with much different results. Honaker trounced Lee High and Lebanon fell to perennial powerhouse Ridgeview.
“With us, we have to play all three phases of the game and be good in all three,” Honaker coach Aaron Lowe said. “That’s how the game works. You need to be good in all three phases. I always tell my team to take care of yourself and play for each other.”
It will be a huge crowd, and one team will come away with a win and momentum to start the season.
What is the main secret to winning the game?
“I think whoever’s going to be more physical and who’s going to be better up front is who is going to win the football game,” said Norris. “We have to be able to get after Parker Lowe. He’s a quarterback; we have to put pressure on him. We can’t let him sit back there. If we let him sit back there and give him all day to throw the ball, he’ll pick you apart. We have to get after him and make him uncomfortable.”
Russell County’s other team, Castlewood, will open the season under new coach Cody Smith on Friday when they square off with Bland County at B.C. White Stadium.
“Coal Bowl” Scores
2025Lebanon49-31
2024Lebanon35-16
2023Honaker52-7
2022Lebanon19-13
2021Honaker37-18
2021Lebanon27-6
2019Honaker14-0
2018Honaker35-28
2017Lebanon34-16
2016Lebanon37-14
2015Honaker28-7
2014Honaker25-14
2013Honaker36-7
2012Honaker14-13
2011Honaker31-14
