Friday night’s game between the Coffee Trojans and the Savannah High Blue Jackets was over almost before it started. It really was. Coffee running back Demetrius Davis scored on an 84-yard touchdown run just 17 seconds into the game. The Trojans would roll from there, eventually defeating the Blue Jackets 38-0 at Jardine Stadium.
The game began with a touching tribute on the Jumbotron to Riccardo Ingram and Malik Sparkman, two Trojans who tragically lost brave battles with cancer earlier this year. Once the game, which was Coffee’s home opener, was underway, the Trojans hit their stride early and never looked back.
After scoring on their first possession, the Trojans turned the ball over on downs the next time they took over. Sophomore defensive back Jaquavius Jefferson intercepted a Savannah pass in the end zone to give the ball back to Coffee. The Trojans then went 80 yards, 79 of them on a touchdown run by running back Greg Williams, to take a 14-0 lead. The Blue Jackets fumbled the ensuing kick and Coffee recovered. Less than two minutes later, senior running back Thomas Spencer scored to give Coffee a 21-0 lead.
In the second quarter, Davis scored on an 11-yard run and quarterback Max Hughes threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to junior Y’Darius Baker. Late in the second quarter, Coffee had a 35-0 lead. The Trojans got the ball back at the end of the first half and drove down to the five yard line. With just a few seconds remaining on the clock, kicker Jonathan Ortiz, who was perfect on extra points Friday night, booted a 23-yard field goal to increase the lead to 38-0 at the half.
The second half opened with a running clock. The stingy Coffee defense kept the Blue Jackets out of the end zone the remainder of the game. The Trojans didn’t put up any second half points, either. The clock ran out a little more than 24 minutes after the third quarter began with Coffee in the lead 38-0.
After the game, head coach Robby Pruitt was overall pleased with his team’s effort. However, he said that what he saw against Savannah wouldn’t be enough to beat Ware County when the Gators come to town in two weeks. “We did some things well but we also made some sloppy plays. We’re going to have to get a whole lot better to beat Ware County,” he said.
The Trojans are off next week then welcome the Ware County Gators to Jardine Stadium for the first region game of the season. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.