Nick Newberry is known around Coeburn High School as a workout warrior.

No matter the time of year, the senior can usually be found in the weight room as he seeks ways to get stronger and sturdier for football season.

"Nick Newberry is one of the hardest working kids on this team," said Coeburn coach Matt Hamilton. "He works and he works and he works."

That hard work appears to be paying off as the quarterback looked good in his first test of the season.

Newberry directed the Blue Knights on three scoring drives during a scrimmage with Holston on Saturday morning. He threw touchdown passes to Dale Gross and Adam Hill and looked in control lined up under center.

"Much more comfortable than last year," Newberry said. "The offense is a lot simpler. We can spread it around and everybody’s fast. Last year it was mostly muscle, but this year it’s more speed."

Hamilton, in his first year as Coeburn’s head coach, agreed with the summation of his QB.

"This offense is more suited for him," Hamilton said. "I think he feels more settled. He’s improved tremendously."

Hill was another key performer for the Blue Knights. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound junior rushed for 43 yards and scored on the final play of the scrimmage – a 7-yard reception on a screen pass from Newberry.

"He gets after it," Hamilton said. "He runs the ball downhill. When you hand Adam Hill the football, he’s going to make something happen. He’s that type of kid. He’s not a fancy runner, but he’s a pretty strong runner."

Hill, an All-Cumberland District pick at linebacker last season, was also tenacious on defense. The Blue Knights did not allow Holston to score.

"It feels good to hit another jersey," Hill said. "It sure does."

Anthony Wiles added a long touchdown run for Coeburn, which is seeking to improve on last season’s 2-8 showing under the energetic Hamilton.

Saturday was certainly a sign of progress.

"We looked sharp," Hamilton said. "We came over here and we want to get better every time we put the pads on, and I think we made a step forward from the last day we practiced. That’s what we used this as.

"As long as you keep making steps forward, you’re making progress. I was tickled with today’s performance. Are we where we want to be yet? No."

For Holston, the scrimmage continued a work in progress.

The Cavaliers, who have won the last two Region C, Division 1 titles, were hit hard by graduation and are relying on a plethora of new faces at key positions.

"It’s our first time going against somebody else. It just gives us an opportunity to see where we’re at and assess a few things," said Holston coach Jason Matlock. "Obviously, we’re still trying to replace some key guys from last year. That’s not going to come together in two weeks.

"We saw some flashes of brilliance and saw some things we need to work on. We just need to respond the next two weeks and get ourselves in a position ready to play."

Freshman Shane Milhorne made some nice plays on defense for Holston, while Daniel Applegate and Tyler Harris ripped off a few long runs. Cody Blevins, the Cavs’ leading rusher from a year ago, was banged up on the first offensive series and did not return.