For the first time in Coffee Trojans football history, the Trojans brought Monday night football to the Coffee faithful. In a game originally scheduled for Friday, September 27 but pushed back to Monday, September 30 after Hurricane Helene took a turn to the east – decimating Coffee County and much of South Georgia in the process – the Trojans defeated the Northside (Warner Robins) Eagles 41-0. The game was supposed to be played at Jardine Stadium in Douglas but ended up being played at McConnell-Talbot Stadium in Warner Robins due to widespread damage and power outages from the storm.
The crowd that witnessed the game on both sides was a small one. The Warner Robins community didn’t suffer the kind of storm damage that Coffee County did and it was business as usual up there. The Northside players, band, cheerleaders, and coaches all went to school on Monday. A few Coffee fans made the trip and an equally small number of Northside fans occupied the home side. With all local radio stations off the air due to the storm, there was no radio broadcast of the game. It was likely the smallest audience the Trojans have ever played for.
The hurricane ground the Trojans’ preparation for the game to a halt. Players hadn’t practiced since Wednesday. Many hadn’t had a full meal, a shower, or even a change of clothes since the storm hit Thursday night/Friday morning. Still, the game had to be played. “They’re just so resilient, you know? It’s been tough all year. It just seems like we’ve been battling something. They’re a resilient group. They just keep playing. You could tell we haven’t practiced since last Wednesday but the effort was there,” said head coach Mike Coe after the game.
If the Trojans were rusty, they didn’t really show it on their first drive. Coffee took the opening kick and marched downfield, finishing the drive with a 21-yard touchdown run by KJ Debruce. Less than three minutes had ticked off the clock and the Trojans were up 7-0.
Four minutes later, Jayden Hancock blocked a 36-yard field goal attempt by Northside, picked it up, and ran it back for another Coffee touchdown. With 5:23 left in the first quarter, the Trojans had a 14-0 lead.
On the Eagles’ ensuing possession, Hancock stepped up big again and intercepted a pass. The Northside miscue gave Coffee the ball at the Trojans’ 30. Coffee, however, couldn’t get any points out of the turnover and ended up punting. The Eagles took over for the fourth time and had a little success moving the ball. They had some momentum when, on third down, linebacker Chris Reed stepped up big and sacked Northside quarterback Jayden Wright. The Eagles now had a fourth and 15 and opted for another 36-yard field goal. This time, kicker Cody Nelson got the kick away but it missed its mark.
The Trojans took over on their own 20 but had to punt again. Wright and the Eagles’ offense started at their own 38 and advanced to the Coffee nine before the drive stalled. Nelson trotted out for his third field goal attempt of the game, this time a 26-yarder. The Trojans blocked this one as well and took over at their own 20. The offense moved the ball a few yards then running back Tyrese Hansley broke a 75-yard touchdown to give Coffee a 21-0 lead with 9:10 remaining in the second quarter.
Just before the first half ended, Trojan kicker Jonah Saylor made a 20-yard field goal of his own to increase Coffee’s lead to 24-0.
The Trojans didn’t score in the third quarter. The good news is, neither did the Eagles. The Coffee defense kept the Eagles on their heels the entire quarter. When the Northside offense showed some life, the Trojans made sure they didn’t get very far. On the Eagles’ third possession of the half, they started on their own 14. They moved to midfield when Coffee forced a fumble. Jasiah McRae recovered and gave the Trojans the ball for the third time of the quarter.
About three minutes into the fourth quarter, the Coffee offense struck again. On the first play of the final period, quarterback Bray Coe found Ricquwan Jefferson for a big gain. A few minutes later, Coe hit Travis Adams for a 31-yard touchdown. The score gave the Trojans a 31-0 lead with 9:11 remaining.
Coffee added more points on a 48-yard field goal by Saylor with 4:35 left and, on the ensuing kick, Cupris Morgan forced a fumble and Jyarius Carter scooped up the loose ball for another Trojan touchdown. Carter’s second touchdown of the year came just seven seconds after Saylor’s field goal.
The win improves Coffee to 6-0 on the season and 1-0 in region play. The win is also the Trojans’ 21st in row. Coach Coe and company have a short week ahead of them; Coffee takes on Lee County Friday night at 7:30 in Leesburg.