2025 Football Preview: Coal Grove Hornets

COAL GROVE — They come and they go. They come and they go.

As quickly as players get familiar with their teammates, graduation comes along and the remaining players are trying to adjust to the next wave of newcomers.

Coal Grove Hornets’ head coach Jay Lucas said getting that familiarity with each other will play a role in this team’s success.

“Losing the guys that we lost, guys who were good players for us for several years, and now then they aren’t there, whether on the field or in the locker room, there’s a growing process that has to come without those guys there. We have to jell at the right time. They have to want to come together,” said Lucas.

Lucas has a lot of veterans plus some new faces, many who will be on the playing field each Friday night. Lucas said there are several key factors to go with getting familiar with their teammates.

“We do have some experience with the kids coming back. I think the key is staying healthy. But it’s critical for teams to come together as their own entity.”said Lucas.

RUNNING BACKS

Starters: senior Kaden Murphy, senior Caden Turner.

Backups: Case Webb, Brayden Schug.

Murphy and Turner form a Mr. Inside, Mr. Outside tandem. Murphy was third team All-Ohio last year as he ran 177 times for 1,565 yards — an 8.8 yards per carry average — and scored 21 touchdowns. He returned eight kickoffs for 372 yards and two scores.

Lucas: “Having Turner and Murphy is a huge luxury to have. They have both been players since they were freshmen. They’re good football players. Webb will definitely bi in the mix along with Schug.”

QUARTERBACK

Starter: senior Rylan Smith

Backup: senior Leland McKnight, freshman Truitt Fields

Lucas: “I can see a lot of growth. (Smith has) gotten bigger, stronger, faster. He’s the kid who can make big plays for us on both sides of the ball. He’s a weapon and he’s somebody we’re going to have to utilize to reach  our potential. He’s grown in his knowledge of the game.

“Fields is a very talented kid, very mature.  He’s got good strength, good speed, makes good decision. He’s going to be a solid player for us.”

RECEIVERS

Starters: senior Logan Roberts, junior Case Webb, junior Braydon Klaiber

Tight ends: junior Ayden Hankins, sophomore Liam White

Lucas: “They’re a solid group. Through the summer and early part of camp I can see a lot of growth. They have the potential to make the plays and make some really big plays for us.”

Also looking to get some playing time are senior Brayden Young and Cameron Webb.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The offensive line has a mix of veteran, younger players and experience to help unite the Hornets’ running game.

Center: senior Caiden Harris (Austin Fraley)

Guards: senior Derik Bloomfield, sophomore Max Klaiber (Elijah Douglass)

Tackles: señor Josh Short, junior Brayden Salyers (Blake Wilson, Brody Young)

Lucas: “Caiden Harris started every game last year.  He’s a solid player. Fraley and Bloomfield are both experienced and good football players. It’s an experienced group that understands what high school football is all about. They understand they have to execute, play hard and play physical. As far as our offense goes overall, it comes down to how well they come together. If they do that they can be a pretty good group.”

DEFENSIVE LINE

Tackles: Josh Short, Derik Bloomfield (Ayden Hankins, Brayden Salyers)

Ends: Austin Fraley, Caden Turner (Karder Keaton, Liam White)

Lucas: “I feel like that’s a deep group. They’ve got some experience. That’s a solid group. You’ve got several seniors. They just got to get in sync as a group. They’re good football players.”

LINEBACKERS

Inside: Braden Schug, Brody Young

Outside: Max Klaiber, Case Webb, Logan Roberts, Derik Bloomfield

Lucas: “Losing Joe Scarberry who was a three-year starter was a big loss, but we feel confident in this group. Max is a talented kid. Brody Young and Logan are seniors who are solid football players. Case is a fantastic athlete and good football paltry. They’ll play hard and they’ll play physical.”

SECONDARY

Cornerbacks: Rylan Smith, Leland McKnight, Brayden Young, Braydon Klaiber

Safeties: Kaden Murphy, Leland McKnight Cam Webb, Gauge Craft

The cornerbacks will come from Braydon Klaiber and Smith with freshman Gauge Craft will mix in. The safeties will be from a pool of Murphy, Leland McKnight, Roberts and Landon McKnight.

Lucas: “We feel like that’s a pretty solid group. Lots of game experience. We hope they can continue to grow on what they did last year, Klaiber, Smith, Murphy and Leland McKnight are all returning starters. Craft will mix in at corner and Roberts and Landon McKnight will get playing time.”

KICKING GAME

The kicking game is set and solid.

Punter: Caden Turner.

Placekicking: Derik Bloomfield, Case Webb

Lucas: “Turner has done the punting for three years and he’s a solid punter.”

OVC

In the Ohio Valley Conference, Lucas expects a very competitive race.

Lucas: “I think it’s going to be good and fairly balanced. Portsmouth is always strong. Fairland is always strong, Rock Hill made a big jump last year. It’ll be strong from top to bottom. We have to focus on what we do and get better.”

2025 Coal Grove Hornets Football Roster

No. Player Pos. Gr.

  0 Landen McKnight OL-DL Sr.

  1 Braxton Patrick RB-DB Fr.

  2 Brayden Young OL-DL Sr.

  3 Rylan Smith QB-DB Sr.

  4 Braydon Klaiber RB-DB Jr.

  5 Case Webb RB-DL Jr.

  7 Bryson Easthom RB-DB So.

  8 Braden Schug RB-DL So.

  9 Logan Roberts RB-DL Sr.

10 Deklan Smith RB-DB So.

12 Truitt Fields QB-DB Fr.

14 Kaden Murphy RB-DB Sr.

15 Grayson O’Leary RB-DB Fr.

17 Logan Stewart OL-DL Jr.

18 Colin Spears RB-DL So.

20 Kase Savino RB-DB Fr.

21 Cam Webb RB-DB Jr.

22 Leland McKnight RB-DB Sr.

23 Rianna Best  RB-DB So.

24 Wyatt Kelly RB-DB Fr.

25 Tucker Rowe RB-LB Fr.

27 Braylon Roach RB-DB Fr.

31 Braddock Brammer OL-DL So.

32 Johnny Hinds OL-DL Fr.

34 Caden Turner RB-DL Sr.

38 Karder Keaton OL-DL So.

42 Gauge Craft OL-DL Fr.

44 Liam White RB-DL So.

50 Derik Bloomfield OL-DL Sr.

51 Brayden Salyers OL-DL Jr.

52 Brycen Malone OL-DL Fr.

53 Cole Delawder OL-DL Jr.

54 Caiden Harris OL-DL Sr.

55 Elijah Douglass OL-DL Fr.

56 Max Klaiber OL-DL So.

57 Presley Rowe OL-DL Fr.

58 Jacob Morris OL-DL So.

59 Brokk Crisp OL-DL Fr.

64 Braylon Shope OL-DL So.

67 Brody Young OL-DL Sr.

70 Jagger Martin OL-DL Fr.

71 Josh Short OL-DL Sr.

72 Nolan Hughart OL-DL Fr.

73 Nathaniel Wheeler OL-DL Fr.

74 Hunter Duvendeck OL-DL Jr.

75 Austin Fraley OL-DL Jr.

76 Blake Wilson OL-DL Sr.

77 Coleton Kingrey OL-DL Fr.

78 Mark Clark OL-DL Fr.

79 A.J. Roach OL-DL Fr.

88 Ayden Hankins OL-DL Jr.

Head coach: Jay Lucas

Assistant coaches: Chuck Price, Aaron Rice, Jordan Lucas, Red Burcham, Eric “Dirty Harry” Bailey

2025 Football Schedule

Aug. 22 at Russell, Ky. L 8-20

Aug. 29 ADENA 7:00PM

Sept. 5 at Nelsonville-York 7:00PM

Sept. 12 CHESAPEAKE# 7:00PM

Sept. 19 at Portsmouth# 7:00PM

Sept. 26 at Gallia Academy# 7:00PM

Oct. 4 KIPP COLUMBUS 7:00PM

Oct. 10 SOUTH POINT# 7:00PM

Oct. 17 FAIRLAND# 7:00PM

Oct. 24 at Rock Hill# 7:00PM

#- Denotes OVC game