MATT TYSON

Staff Writer

Coffee County football got back in the win column in dominant fashion Friday night.

Traveling to Wilson Central after a heartbreaking rivalry loss at Tullahoma the week before, the Red Raiders trailed early but took control late in the first half on the way to a 34-3 routing. The victory also avenged last year’s matchup between the two teams, which the Wildcats won 29-22 in Manchester.

“We definitely were a little bit worried of a carryover from the second half last week. Good week of practice, the kids were in high spirits, but that’s a tough little football team. They play scrappy, they’re very well-coached,” Coffee County coach Brandon Harmon said. “Just for us to have that slow start on offense and find a way to fix it, get it moving forward, those were the things we didn’t do a good job of last week.”

After coming up empty on their first drive of the game, the Red Raiders gave the ball back to Wilson Central deep in their own territory following a fumble. The Wildcats took advantage of the turnover, coming away with three points on a 34-yard field goal with 3:50 left in the first quarter.

The ensuing Coffee County possession once again ended early on a turnover, this time on an interception. Wilson Central ultimately came up empty on the field goal attempt this time around, sending the Red Raiders into the second quarter still trailing 3-0.

After coming up short on a field goal attempt with 7:17 remaining in the half, Coffee County got the ball back after forcing a Wilson Central 3-and-out. The Red Raiders quickly began to march down the field, reaching the red zone when Kaysen Lowery connected with Kam Stafford for a 29-yard pass.

Lowery took it the rest of the way on the next play, running it into the end zone from two yards out. Gaiden Bellamy followed with the extra point to put Coffee County ahead 7-3 with 2:40 on the clock.

The Red Raiders did not have to wait long to grow their lead further. On the second play of the ensuing Wilson Central possession, Hank Crabtree came away with a turnover and proceeded to run it back 26 yards in the other direction for another Coffee County touchdown with a 1:06 remaining until halftime.

“It would not have happened without my d-line or my outside backers. Jett Trussler actually stripped the ball out of his hands and the ball went like 10 feet in the air,” Crabtree said of the play. “I just saw it, I thought it was my chance for my first career touchdown, but could not have had that without my d-line for sure.”

Opening the second half with the ball and a 14-3 lead, Coffee County drove down the field and reached the Wilson Central 2-yard line on a 30-yard pass from Lowery to Matthew White. Lowery once again took care of it from there, running in the final two yards on the following play for another Red Raider touchdown. The PAT was unsuccessful this time around, leaving Coffee County ahead 20-3 with 7:31 remaining in the third quarter.

Coffee County continued to push ahead from there on its next drive, with Tez Garrett running the ball into the end zone from around midfield at the 3:53 mark. The extra point attempt was good this time around, ultimately sending the Red Raiders into the fourth quarter with a 27-3 lead.

Coffee County went on to add one more touchdown when Jett Trussler hauled in a pass and ran it into the end zone for a 42-yard reception with 3:41 left to play. The following extra point attempt sailed through the uprights, bringing the game to what would be its final score.

Coffee County (2-1) opens Class 6A Region 6 play on the road against Franklin (2-1) Friday night. The Admirals opened region play with a 42-0 week 3 road win over Shelbyville Central.

Kickoff of the week 4 matchup is set for 7 p.m.