Coal City’s fast start sends Coalers past Chicago Leo 35-8 in Class 4A playoffs

After waiting a week thanks to earning an opening-round bye under the new IHSA football playoff system, the Coal City Coalers had to wait a little while longer to get their hands on the football Friday night against visiting Chicago Leo.The Coalers were ready.On Coal City’s second offensive play following Maddox Meents’ leaping interception at the 2-yard line nearly five minutes in, Coalers senior quarterback Connor Henline pulled back a would-be handoff, broke for the sideline, juked a Leo defender and was off to the races for a 75-yard touchdown run. It was the first six points of a 28-point first half for Coal City in its eventual 35-8, Class 4A victory over the Lions.“I knew they were going to be really aggressive there and jump something,” Henline said, “so I took my chances, pulled it, made one guy miss. Then my receiver had a block, and I was off.”Coal City (9-1) will next play the winner of Saturday afternoon’s Dixon-Evergreen Park contest.“Going forward, we’ve got to keep our