The Coffee County Red Raider football team attempted to improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2003 as they hosted Shelbyville at Carden-Jarrell Field.
After receiving the opening kickoff, the Golden Eagles drove down the field, but the Raider defense stiffened and held Shelbyville to a 24-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.
Coffee County’s offense then went on a long, sustained drive that took around seven minutes off the clock before RB Caiden Martin ran in a score, and a Jayden Silva extra point made it 7-3 with only 16 seconds remaining in the opening quarter.
The Red Raiders usually don’t kick the ball deep on kickoffs, but this time they did. Shelbyville took the kick 94 yards for a touchdown and a 9-7 advantage.
After an interception, the Eagles were held to another field goal by the outstanding Raider defense. Shelbyville upped their lead to 12-7.
It was then time for Coffee County's special teams to go to work. On the kickoff, Deontae Short used his fantastic speed to take it 86 yards for a touchdown, giving the Red Raiders a 14-12 lead, which they held at halftime.
The Red Raiders received the third quarter and drove the ball into the Red Zone. Coffee County's offensive coordinator put the heavy package in play with Jayden Carter coming in at quarterback. Carter, the outstanding senior, has scored this season on a punt return and a fumble return, scored on a short-yard run, with another Silva extra-point to make 21-12 with 7:48 to go in the third quarter.
The Raiders got the ball back after forcing Shelbyville to go for and miss a long field goal. After an intentional grounding call, Coffee County was forced to punt. The snap went over Will Rogers's head, and the Golden Eagles recovered for a touchdown. A missed extra point made the score 21-18 Red Raiders.
Later in the second half, the Golden Eagles marched down the field for a go-ahead touchdown, this time making the extra point attempt to retake the lead, 25-21.
Coffee County would take advantage of an Austin Green intercepted pass in Shelbyville territory, and the Raiders offense went back to work. With only 2:36 to go, Deontae Short, who made some great plays during the game, rushed in a TD to give the Raiders a 28-25 lead with only 2:36 left to play.
The Golden Eagles would fight back, connecting on a 65-yard touchdown pass to grab a 32-28 lead with 2:17 remaining in the game. The advantage would hold up for the final score.
Coffee County outgained Shelbyville on the night 301-213 offensive yards. Kaysen Lowery had 18 yards passing. Deontae had a solid night on offense with multiple rushing and receiving yards to go along with his kickoff return TD; He earned the Giles Dunn Diamond Company Player of the Game.
Coffee County and Shelbyville are now 2-1 on the season as they head into the fourth game of the year.
The Red Raiders will begin their 6A Region play as they host Siegel (1-2) for homecoming on Friday, Sept. 13, at Carden-Jarrell Field, with a kickoff at 7 p.m. Hear the game on the Rooster 101.5, www.rooster1015.com, or the Rooster 101.5 app. Shelbyville will host Columbia on Friday at 7 p.m. Hear the action on Golden Eagle Country 105.1 or 95.9, www.whiskeycountryradio.com, or the Whiskey Country Radio app.
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