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Coffee County football came into Friday night’s game at Independence looking to remain undefeated in region play after last week’s home win over Franklin.

The Eagles had other plans, jumping out early to send the Red Raiders back to Manchester with a 35-6 loss. The result put Coffee County at 2-3 on the season and 1-1 in region play.

Independence got the scoring started early, capping off its first drive with a 39-yard touchdown pass with 9:21 left to play in the first quarter.

The Red Raiders responded on their next drive, marching down the field from their own 20-yard line and reaching paydirt on an 11-yard quarterback keeper from Kaysen Lowery. The following extra point attempt was unsuccessful, leaving Coffee County down 7-6 through the first quarter’s remainder.

Starting the second quarter with the ball, the Red Raiders made it down to the Eagle 21-yard line before turning the ball over on downs. Independence proceeded to quickly move back the other way, capping off the drive with a 30-yard touchdown run from Eli Garlington to make it a 14-6 game after the PAT.

Garlington would give Coffee County more trouble as the quarter continued by adding another touchdown on the Eagles’ next possession, this time rushing in from 13 yards out with 43.6 seconds remaining to make it a 21-6 Independence lead at halftime.

The Red Raiders got the ball to open the second half, making it as far as the Independence 30 before turning the ball over on downs once again. The Eagles responded with another scoring drive, this time reaching the end zone from 40 yards out to put Coffee County in a 28-6 hole with 3:36 left in the third quarter.

After a three-and-out on the next Coffee County possession, Independence held on to the ball through the third quarter’s conclusion. Opening the fourth on the Red Raider 24, Eagle quarterback Matthew Horner hit Hunter Mullen for a 24-yard touchdown pass with 11:52 left to play.

Now down by 29, Coffee County kept Independence from adding another touchdown in the fourth quarter by coming away with a fumble on the Red Raider 3-yard line.

The ensuing drive ended in a turnover as well, this time as an interception from Lowery. Independence proceeded to run out the clock from there to bring the game to a close.

Coffee County will take a break from region play next week when it travels to Smyrna for a week 6 matchup. The Bulldogs come into this game with a 2-3 record as well, having defeated Rockvale at home 41-11 on Friday to end a two-game losing streak.

The Red Raiders will return to region competition the following week with a home contest against Brentwood (3-2, 2-0 region) on Oct. 3.

Kickoff for next week’s game against Smyrna is set for 7 p.m.