Devils run over Blue Knights, 34-6

By Cody Dalton
TriCitiesSports.com
September 1, 2006

COEBURN – After losing their home opener 48-14 against Richlands, Gate City had redemption on their minds. They would get that redemption Friday in Coeburn.

“We were coming off of a pretty sound thrashing last week,” said Coach Colobro about the 48-14 loss last week in Gate City. “We just had to forget about that.”

From looking at the way Gate City played on Friday, all must be forgotten. Gate City pounded the Coeburn Blue Knights 34-6, in the Blue Devils opening game in the Lonesome Pine District. It looked to be a tough task for the Blue Devils, who would face a Coeburn team that defeated Twin Springs 55-27.

Not only did they get the win, but the tacked up 548 yards on the ground. Gate City would have to focus in on stopping that same running attack.

Gate City set the tempo from the beginning of the game, to the very end, with a patented rushing attack from junior running back Tyler Parks and sophomore quarterback Tihlee Anderson.

“Tyler is going to go when our offensive line will let him go,” said Coach Colobro. It was safe to say that the offensive line let him go, as he totaled up 92 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Not only was Parks a threat on the ground, but quarterback Tihlee Anderson also proved to be very dangerous. He matched Parks with 2 rushing touchdowns and also had a 46-yard interception return for the Blue Devils on defense.

The game was a rushing war, with both teams having a combined 16 yards passing, while most of their total offense was amassed on the ground. Most of Coeburn’s progress in the game, however, would be stopped by penalties and turnovers.

“We had a couple of turnovers early that they scored points off of,” said Coeburn Coach Greg Mullins. “We had the ball for about 15 plays in the first half and we didn’t execute that well when we did have the ball.”

Although the Blue Knights lost the game, Coach Mullins has optimism. “Overall, I am not pleased with the result, but I am pleased with our effort.”

“Well, it is always great to get a win, especially in our first district contest on the road,” said Coach Colobro about his team’s victory. “I think we have learned a lot from playing against Richlands and hopefully we learned a lot more tonight.”

The Blue Knights will travel to Rye Cove next week, while Gate City will be at home against Pound.


1 2 3 4 FINAL
Coeburn 0 0 0 6 6
Gate City 7 14 6 7 34

Gate City – Tyler Parks, 5-yard run (Ked Byrd kick)
Gate City – Tyler Parks, 5-yard run (Ked Byrd kick)
Gate City – Tihlee Anderson, 46-yard fumble recovery (Ked Byrd kick)
Gate City – Tihlee Anderson, 46-yard run ((kick failed)
Coeburn – Anthony Nixon, 1-yard run (kick failed)
Gate City – Tihlee Anderson, 9-yard run (Ked Byrd kick)


Coeburn Gate City
First Downs 12 12
Rushing Att-Yards 40-208 38-199
Passes Comp-Att-Int 1-4-1 1-3-0
Passing Yards 4 12
Total Offense 212 211
Punting 1-29.0 2-41
Fumbles-Lost 3-3 0-0
Penalties 8-55 2-10


Individual Stats:

Rushing:
Coeburn – Bright, 20-138; Nixon, 6-19, TD; Moody, 5-12; Cook, 4-12; A. Meade, 1-13; Hayes, 1-7; R.J. Meade, 1-7; J. Meade, 1-0; Dean 1-0.
Gate City – Parks, 23-92, 2 TDs; Anderson, 6-82, 2 TDs; Estepp, 5-13; Godsey, 2-7; Hensley, 2-5.

Passing:
Coeburn – Cook, 1-4-1, 4, 0 TDs.
Gate City – Anderson, 1-3-0, 12, 0 TDs.

Receiving:
Coeburn – Mooney, 1-3.
Gate City – Estepp, 1-12.