COAL CITY — Coal City started the Class 4A football playoffs by allowing more points (20) to Peotone in the first round than it had in any game all season.

Not only did the Coalers allow Peotone to score, they also allowed the Blue Devils to pile up 234 rushing yards on 56 carries using an option offense the Coalers had seen before and felt they matched up well against. And Peotone finished a yard short, literally, of scoring a last-second touchdown that could have either forced overtime or sunk the Coalers in a game they won 27-20.

The Coalers knew a better defensive effort would be key in their second-round game at Geneseo, and they delivered one. They held Geneseo to 192 total yards, including just 132 rushing yards on 40 carries, and did not allow a defensive touchdown in a 12-10 victory.