The Coffee Trojans are 7-1 overall and 2-1 in region play after defeating the Houston County Bears at Jardine Stadium 14-0 Friday night.
The game was scoreless until only 78 seconds remained in the third quarter. On fourth and four, quarterback Bray Coe found Tresean Smith in the end zone for a 28-yard touchdown. Jonah Saylor’s point-after was good to put Coffee ahead 7-0.
After a Jayden Hancock interception on the first play of the fourth quarter (his second of the game; the first came in the second quarter), the Trojans took over at their own 41 and marched downfield. A pair of facemask penalties helped Coffee get to the Houston 17. Running back Tyrese Woodgett ripped off a 16-yard run then scored from one yard out. Saylor’s kick was true again and with 10:07 left in the game, the Trojans were up 14-0.
The Bears tried their best to get something going late in the game. On the drive following Woodgett’s score, Antwann Hill, Houston’s All-Everything quarterback, led the Bears on a long drive that stalled deep in Coffee territory. On fourth and four from the Coffee eight, he dropped back and launched the ball to the end zone but couldn’t hit his receiver. Houston had two more possessions afterwards but couldn’t get close to scoring.
Following the game, head coach Mike Coe said he was proud of his players and the effort they displayed, especially after dealing with everything they had been through over the last three weeks. He also said he liked what he saw offensively in the third and fourth quarters. “I was proud of our offense in the second half. We were able to get some rhythm going. We’ve got to get better at throwing the ball but we will. I’m excited about where we are. Our practices this week sounded like Coffee practices. They were really popping each other. They’re fun to coach. It can be frustrating at times but it’s not frustration at them. They just work so hard and you want them to play well. Next week, we’ve got to punch our ticket [to the playoffs] – and that’s what we want to do, punch our ticket,” he said.
The Trojans play their final home game of the regular season next Friday night when the Veterans Warhawks come to town. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.