COAL CITY — For one half, the Coal City offense encountered more frustration than it produced answers as the Coalers fell behind 12-7 to the Peotone Blue Devils.

In the second half, the Coalers had an answer for almost everything the Blue Devils did, as they rallied to win 27-20 in the first round of the Class 4A football playoffs.

Coal City set the tone for the half by driving 59 yards in eight plays on the opening drive. Brennen Shetina passed to Lane Cowherd for a 20-yard gain on third-and-8, and Ryland Tondini broke off a 15-yard run for another first down. Then, on third-and-10 from the Peotone 20, Shetina threw to Cowherd down the right sideline. Cowherd was covered, but he came back to the ball and caught it as he was crossing the goal line.