Coal City Dominates Sterling 49-7; Natyshok Scores 5 TDs

UPDATE: In a stunning display of power, the Coal City Coalers crushed the Sterling Golden Warriors 49-7 in their Class 4A playoff opener Saturday. Junior running back Logan Natyshok shone brightly with an astounding five touchdowns and 272 rushing yards, propelling Coal City to victory and securing their spot in the next round.

The Coal City defense was relentless, limiting Sterling to a mere 100 total yards and just 40 yards on the ground. With this victory, Coal City improved to 8-2 and will face Dixon (9-1) at 7 p.m. on Friday. Sterling concludes their season at 6-4.

The game kicked off with a bang as Natyshok raced for a 69-yard touchdown on the opening drive. After Sterling quickly tied the game with an 87-yard kickoff return touchdown from Marurice De La Cruz, Coal City regained control. Natyshok’s 1-yard touchdown plunge gave the Coalers a lead they would never relinquish.

Coal City’s offensive line was instrumental in creating space for Natyshok, who praised them, saying, “Our big guys up front were creating some pretty big holes to run through.” The dominance continued with Natyshok scoring on runs of 1 and 49 yards, pushing the lead to 28-7.

The first half concluded with a highlight play from defensive lineman Emmett Easton, who intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown, making the score 35-7 at halftime. “I’ll remember that play for the rest of my life,” Easton said, reflecting on his first interception and touchdown.

As the second half began, Coal City continued their offensive onslaught. Natyshok added a 48-yard touchdown before quarterback Connor Henline connected with Gavin Berger for a 13-yard touchdown, initiating a running clock as the Coalers widened their lead.

Coal City coach Francis Loughran praised his team’s performance, emphasizing the importance of running the ball effectively and playing solid defense. “We wanted to come out and be very physical in every aspect of the game,” Loughran stated.

After Natyshok, Kole Carpenter contributed with 46 rushing yards on just three carries, while Henline completed 8 of 11 passes for 71 yards. The Coalers amassed a total of 429 yards of offense, showcasing their dominance on both sides of the ball.

Sterling struggled offensively, with quarterback Brady Berlin completing 8 of 18 passes for 60 yards and suffering two interceptions. Coach Jonathan Schlemmer acknowledged Coal City’s strength, saying, “This game was about controlling the line of scrimmage, which Coal City was able to do.”

With this decisive win, Coal City looks ahead to their challenge against Dixon, aiming to continue their playoff run. Fans and players alike are buzzing with excitement as the team prepares for what promises to be another thrilling matchup.

Stay tuned for updates as Coal City seeks to build on this impressive victory in the upcoming rounds of the playoffs.