Friday night’s game between the visiting Mainland High School Buccaneers and the Coffee Trojans went about like you might have thought a game between two defending state champions would. It was a clash between two good, physical, tough teams that battered each other for four quarters. Every drive was an emotional roller coaster, every play significant and deliberate.
Mainland had the only real scoring opportunity of the first half but was unable to capitalize. On Coffee’s second possession of the game, the Buccaneers’ Zyquan Neal picked off a pass and returned it to the Trojan 38. A keeper by quarterback Sebastian Johnson moved Mainland even closer to pay dirt. However, the Coffee defense held its ground and forced a 33-yard field goal attempt. Linebacker Chris Reed got a hand on the ball and blocked the kick, leaving the Buccaneers empty handed after the takeaway.
Coffee and Mainland went into halftime tied at zero. The third quarter was nearly over when the Trojans finally found a seam. After a Mainland punt, Coffee had the ball on their own 45. Running back KJ Debruce, playing for Tyrese Woodgett, who suffered an injury in the first half and did not play in the third and fourth quarters, ripped off a 33-yard run. The Trojans picked up the pace of play and made it to the Buccaneers’ eight, where the drive stalled. Kicker Jonah Saylor trotted onto the field for a 25-yard field goal. His foot was true and the Trojans had the first points of the night. With 4:29 left in the third quarter, Coffee had a 3-0 lead.
On Mainland’s third possession of the half, they had a little success moving the ball but eventually faced a fourth and one near midfield. Running back Edward Williams took a direct snap and looked for room. It wasn’t there and he came up short. Coffee took over at the Buccaneers’ 47.
The Trojans kept the ball on the ground and pounded Mainland’s defense. Running back Tyrese Hansley had some success and moved Coffee deep into Buccaneers’ territory. A couple of penalties against Mainland gave the Trojans first and goal from the two. Hansley took a handoff from quarterback Bray Coe and steamrolled his way into the end zone for a touchdown. With 6:30 left in the game, Coffee was up 10-0.
When Mainland took over for the fourth time of the half, they started on their own 28. The 72-yard drive ended on a 15-yard touchdown run by Williams. Around 45 seconds after the Trojans scored, the Buccaneers were on the board as well. The score was now 10-7 with 5:44 remaining.
Coffee couldn’t pad its lead following the Mainland score. They punted to the Buccaneers and pinned them at their own five with 1:42 left in the game. The stage was set for an epic come-from-behind win for Mainland or an equally epic defensive stand by Coffee.
Thankfully, it was the latter and not the former that happened.
Johnson marched his team downfield, advancing to the Coffee 46. And that’s where the Buccaneers’ night ended. Johnson couldn’t gain any more ground and with 48.2 seconds left, Mainland had to convert a fourth and 10 to keep their hopes alive. Johnson dropped back and tried to hit a receiver on the Buccaneers’ sideline. Coffee’s Jayden Hancock broke up the pass to give the Trojans the ball on downs.
Coffee took over with 43.9 second left and ran out the clock. The Trojans had defeated the defending Florida 5A state champion in a slugfest.
Coffee is now 5-0 on the season and is in the midst of a 20-game winning streak. Next week, the Trojans face the Northside-Warner Robins Eagles in the first region game of the year. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 at Jardine Stadium.