2026 Football Preview: Coal Grove Hornets

COAL GROVE — When Coal Grove Hornets’ seven-year head coach Jay Lucas goes to fill the holes in his lineup, he’s going to need a lot of filler.

The Hornets graduated some talented players from last year’ 8-3 team that won its first Ohio Valley Conference title since 2017 and qualified for the Division 5 postseason playoffs.

Of those who must be replaced is All-Ohio first team running back and Division 5 Southeast District Offensive Player of the Year Kaden Murphy along with fullback and defensive lineman Caden Turner who signed with Marshall University.

Lucas is hoping that an abundance of numbers and tradition will help fill those deep holes.

 “We have six seniors. It’s a small group of kids but they're nice players,” said Lucas. “The tradition and culture of the program makes kids want to be a part of it. We’re blessed to have over 60 kids out. A good number of them are underclassmen who will be coming back. Football comes down to depth, especially late in the season.”

Also gone is quarterback Rylan Smith which means the entire backfield is gone. Lucas doesn’t expect to replace the entire backfield with one or two players.

“We did lose some nice football players. Make no mistake about it. Murphy and Turner, Ryland (Smith) and Shore and others. Those were really talented kids. But, the (Case) Webb kid is a really good fullback. He was just biding his time. Now he’s a senior. He started two years on defense. Now it’s his turn to step into one of those running back roles and he’s ready to do that.

“The same goes at the running back position. Braden Schug came in last year and in several games he stepped right in and did a great job,” said Lucas. “He has a very similar skill set compared to the Murphy kid. There were some good players playing behind those guys. They got some experience at the jayvee level.”

The Hornets must find a new quarterback.

“Rylan was a good football player. Smart. But in a couple of games last year, Truitt came in and did a great job against Chesapeake. He completed 5 of 6 passes, ran the ball well. Smart kid. Tough kid. Strong kid,” said Lucas.

“He doesn’t have that experience, but he’s a good runner, he can throw it,” said Lucas.

Regardless of who is running or passing, they will need help from a collection of players.

“We will definitely be more balanced than we have had the last couple of years. Before Murphy it was Chase (Hall). We do have multiple backs we feel comfortable with carrying the ball,” said Lucas.

“Before when we were using primarily two guys, we’re using three or four or even five guys to carry the ball. It will be more by committee.”

The Hornets plan to have sophomore Truitt Fields  at quarterback. Webb and freshman Easton Mader will be the top two on the depth chart at fullback while the tailback looks to be Gage Craft and junior Braden Schug.

Also in the backfield will be Webb and sophomore Gauge Craft (6-2, 210) are the top two on the depth chart at fullback. The tailback looks to be Gage Craft and speedy junior Braden Schug (5-9, 195).

The Hornets will have a young offensive line but with great size.

The left tackle looks to be sophomore Elijah Douglas (6-3, 280) or possibly freshman Justin Lunsford (6-1, 250).

“(Douglas) is a big kid, strong, great work ethic,” said Lucas. “(Lunsford) is just a freshman but he’s doing fantastic right now. Both those kids are physical.”

The guard position returns junior Max Klaiber (6-0, 220) on the left side.

“Mad Max is a good player on both sides of the football. He’s a difference maker,” said Lucas. The center is junior Karder Keaton who started the final seven games last season. Lucas called him “Another nice player. We’re counting on those two guys to be the anchor of the line.”

Freshman Wade Delong (6-3, 235) will be the right guard. Lucas said Delong “has a great work ethic. He’s strong and has great feet. He’s a tough kid. Sophomore Brokk Crisp (5-10, 240) will be battling it out.”

At right tackle is senior Ayden Hankins (6-5, 290) who has given a verbal commitment to Kent State.

“Ayden started 11 games last year. He’s gotten better. His feet are better. He’s learned the offense now.”

Also in the mix are sophomores Nolan Hughart (6-6, 380) and Nathaniel Wheeler (5-10, 280).

“All of those guys are solid players who we feel good about,” said Lucas.

The ends will have junior Liam White who is a three-year starter and junior Colin Spears. Mader could also see some playing time along with junior Braylon Shope.

“I’m really pleased with where they are. They had to sit a couple of years and that made them more hungry. They’re eager to learn. And they were able to learn from two pretty good football players who were in front of them,” said Lucas.

“We lost some good kids, but in the line, it’s good. We have some strong kids. We did lose some guys, but the guys coming in are good football players. They’ve got some talent to them and they’re solid.”

On the defensive side, Lucas said Keaton and Hankins will play with sophomore Jagger Martin (6-0, 300), Hughart and senior Hunter Duvendeck (6-2, 295) all vying for a tackle spot. Delong, Douglas and Wheeler may get some playing time, too.

“We’ve got size, but if necessary we’ve got a little need if we need it. We’ve got a good balance of kids battling in there,” said Lucas.

Klaiber is a returning starter at an inside linebacker spot where he earned first team all-district and honorable mention All-Ohio.

Craft, Schug and Webb are all working at a linebacker spot whether inside or outside. Also senior James Dome is out for the first time and will work out at linebacker and running back.

“Dome hasn’t played, but he’s an athlete,” said Lucas.

Klaiber, Schug and Webb are all returning starters.

Mader, White and sophomore Wyatt Kelly are all linebacker candidates.

“At linebacker, we feel like we have some depth and we’ve got some depth,” said Lucas.

Fields, Spears, junior Bryson Eastom and junior Deklan Smith are battling for a job in the secondary.

“Fields, Eastom and Spears are all solid back there,” said Lucas. “And we can always flip Schug back there if we need someone.”

The placekicker will be Webb or Shope while the punter is Webb.

In the Ohio Valley Conference, Lucas knows his team has a bull’s-eye on its back as the defending champions.

“That’s something we’re kind of used to,” said Lucas. “For years, non-conference we always played a tough schedule. We used to play Gallia and Wheelersburg. When the leagues changed, we had to change. Russell is always good. They have a good football program.

“Nelsonville is always good. Adena is going to be improved and we have to go up there. Our non-league schedule is a tough schedule. In the conference, I honestly don’t know what everyone has got, but I think everyone is going to be better.”