Zion Coker was Oceanside’s fifth-string running back just a week ago. Now he’s somewhat of a hero in the Landsharks locker room.
Coker rushed for a game-high 173 yards and two scores to carry Oceanside past state runner-up Baptist Hill, 17-8, in its season opener Friday on Yonges Island.
The senior who’s spent more time in the defensive backfield than on offense averaged more than 10 yards per carry, scoring from 24 and 5 yards out. He would’ve easily surpassed 200 rushing yards had a third score not been called back for an illegal block.
“He has about a month of playing running back under his belt but man can he run,” Oceanside coach Chad Grier said. “He’s still raw. There’s a lot he’s still learning in our offense but I can teach those things. I can’t teach a player to run the way he does.”
Baptist Hill entered halftime with an 8-0 lead, pulling down a 61-yard touchdown off a jump ball in the second quarter. The Landsharks defense surrendered just 130 yards otherwise to an offense that averaged better than 43 points per game last season.
Landsharks senior outside linebacker Caleb Calandra put together six tackles, three for a loss, with three sacks. Lamar Prioleau added two sacks and a forced fumble. Oceanside registered 10 tackles for a loss in all with seven sacks and two turnovers.
“[Defensive coordinator] coach [Rashad] Jackson had a great game plan tonight. The defense was very well prepared, as good as it gets,” Grier said. “It was probably the opposite on offense and that’s on me. We made it hard on our defense at times tonight.”
Oceanside fumbled twice inside the Baptist Hill 10-yard line. The Landsharks’ usually pass-happy offense threw just 19 times versus 25 running plays. Senior Richard Hurteau received the start at quarterback and completed 11-of-19 passes for 74 yards.
But the night went to Coker, who twice in the past two weeks has run the Landsharks into the win column. He exploded onto the scene last week in grand fashion at the Sertoma Football Classic, rushing for two touchdowns, including the game-winning score in the final minutes.
Friday, he scored twice in the third quarter to send the Landsharks into the fourth ahead 14-8. First-year kicker Chris Haynes connected on a 32-yard field goal to secure the win in the fourth.
“Zion responded how you want a senior to respond when he’s called on,” Grier said. “He put the team on his back tonight and said, ‘Let’s go.’”
Oceanside (1-0) hosts Savannah Christian next week, while Baptist Hill (0-1) travels to Garrett.
