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The Red Raider defense proved to be too scary for Siegel on Friday the 13th as Coffee County celebrated Homecoming with a 21-0 victory over the Stars at Carden-Jarrell Field.

Defense was the name of the game at the start, as both teams traded punts on their first two drives of the game.

Siegel’s third drive would also result in a punt, but Coffee County would turn it over on a fumble on their third possession, giving the Stars the ball at Coffee County’s own two-yard line.

As the game turned the page to the second quarter, the Stars could not punch their way into the end zone, and a false start penalty would provide Coffee County with a little bit more breathing room.

Coffee County’s defense would make a huge statement on the next play, pressuring Siegel quarterback Tristan Thornton into throwing an interception into the hands of Jayden Carter, who ran it all the back 95 yards for a pick six. With the extra point, the Raiders assumed an early 7-0 lead.

The Red Raider defense continued stifling the Stars on their next possession, forcing Siegel to punt for a fourth time.

Coffee County’s running game would go to work, fueled by a 38-yard run on the back of Deontae Short that spearheaded the Raiders into Siegel territory.

The Red Raiders would find the end zone for their first offensive touchdown of the night on a scamper by Caiden Martin with 5:21 remaining in the first half of play, giving Coffee County a 14-0 lead with the extra point.

Siegel continued to struggle with Coffee County’s defense, punting for a fifth time on their next turn with the ball.

Coffee County’s offense would stall out on their next possession, punting the ball back to the Stars, who muffed on the return, giving Coffee County the ball back on their own 47-yard line.

The Red Raiders would run the clock out and head to the locker room with a 14-0 advantage.

At halftime, members of the Coffee County Central High School Homecoming Court were recognized with senior Rylee Clark being crowned Homecoming Queen and senior Trevor Jesse being voted as Homecoming King.

After the halftime festivities, the Red Raiders received the ball to start the second half.

Coffee County would make it to the Siegel 27, but would turn it over on downs.

Siegel would yet again be forced to punt after reaching the Coffee County 44, but the snap was mishandled and the Red Raiders were gifted the ball at the Siegel 25.

Caiden Martin would again find the end zone for his second rushing touchdown of the night, and Coffee County piled on a 21-0 lead with 2:57 to go in the third.

Siegel was able to march their way inside Coffee County territory as the game flipped over to the fourth quarter, but the Raider defense managed a stop with the Stars turning it over on downs at the Coffee County 23.

Siegel’s defense would halt the Raider offense at the Coffee County 26, and the Red Raiders would be forced to punt, but a procedure penalty on Coffee County’s kicking unit gave the Stars the ball at the Raider 14.

Once again, Jayden Carter and the Raider defense answered the call, with Carter sacking the Siegel quarterback on fourth down, giving Coffee County the ball back on their own 25-yard line.

Coffee County was again forced to punt on their next drive, however the Stars blocked the kick, and another procedure penalty on the Raider special teams unit gave Siegel the ball at the Coffee County 35.

The Red Raider defense answered the call one final time, forcing another turnover on downs by the Stars, and the Raider offense ran the clock out to seal the victory and the shutout.

“I thought we played really well defensively,” said Head Coach Roger Haynes. “The kids wanted that goose egg. Part of our special teams has been good, but the punt team has been killing us lately, and we’re going to have to make some personnel changes there.”

Coffee County (3-1) will not host a home game for the next four weeks as they travel to Page on Sept. 20, Riverdale on Sept. 27 and Rockvale on Oct. 3 before going on their bye week. Being away from home for a month will provide a big test for the Red Raiders.

“It’s a huge test,” said Haynes. “We have a lot of respect for all of those teams. I really like going to play Page because they have quality coaches, quality players, they do things the right way and are just a classy program all-around. We look forward to going up there and playing them.”

Page (4-0) will be coming off of a 42-0 win at LaVergne and their defense has yet to allow a single point in their first four games.

Coffee County will try to be the first team to break through the Patriot defense when the Red Raiders travel to Patriot Stadium on Friday, Sept. 20. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.