Coosa Valley tops Generals in opener

Published 1:16 am Saturday, August 28, 2010

Coosa Valley (1-0) used 199 rushing yards to run past region foe Autauga Academy, 14-7, on Friday night.

The Rebels leaned heavily on the play-making ability of senior wide receiver John Bullen, who gave the Autauga Academy defense fits while carrying the ball nine times for 86 yards and catching three balls for 65 yards.

Bullen scored both touchdowns for the Rebels.

“He’s a really good player,” Coosa Valley coach Vince DiLorenzo said.

Quarterback Hunter Roe helped ignite the offense, completing 8-of-18 passes for 111 yards while adding 42 yards on the ground. Senior running back Ryan Batson provided 71 yards on 12 carries.

The Rebels had to use their offensive prowess to come back from an early 7-0 deficit after the Generals’ Hunter Norsworthy scored on a 15-yard run with 10:35 left in the first quarter.

The Rebels countered with a scoring drive just before the first-half horn, as Bullen raced 65 yards for a touchdown with 25 seconds remaining until halftime.

Neither offense could muster much in the third quarter until Bullen broke the drought with another touchdown run — this one of the 30-yard variety — to put the Rebels ahead for good.

Coosa Valley will play its first home contest of the season in its next game against Kingwood Christian Sept. 3.