TIFTON — The Coffee High Trojans needed to make a statement Friday night.

Since the Madison game to open the season, it had been feast or famine for Coffee. The Trojans had either been blown out (Lowndes) or blown out their opponents (Clinch, Bradwell, Johnson and Colquitt).

Tift needed a win to get their season back on track after losing to Thomas County Central and Valdosta, making the game a very intriguing match-up.

The intrigue didn’t last long.

Coffee defeated Tift 31-14 in a game that never was close.

The Trojans knew they had something to prove, and let Tift know it was going to be a long night from the earliest moments of the game. Coffee held Tift on the Blue Devils’ first possession, forcing a punt.

Coffee took over on their own 37. Simeon Goolsby had a big run on a third down to keep the Trojans moving the ball. Goolsby’s effort paid off a few plays later when quarterback Burke Batten danced into the end zone from eight yards out for Coffee’s first score of the night.

As big as Batten’s touchdown was, all eyes were on freshman kicker Jacob Moore, who was getting his first varsity start of his young career. Moore made the point after, and Coffee had a 7-0 lead.

The Trojan defense made another strong stand on Tift’s second possession, forcing another punt.

When Batten and the offense trotted on to the field, they didn’t waste much time. Batten connected with Rod Jones on a 60-yard touchdown pass. After Moore’s second PAT, the Trojans were up 14-0 at the end of the fourth quarter.

Tift moved the ball well on its next drive, and made a charge for the end zone. But the Coffee defense stepped up once again. Tift went for a score on a long pass, and threw into double coverage down field. Rover Telvin Thomas ran up under the pass and made the interception in the end zone. Instead of downing the ball for a touchback, he ran it out, gaining 40 yards.

After a long run by Johnny Williams, head coach Jerry Odom dug deep into his playbook and used a little trickery. Batten took the snap and pitched to wideout Demario Bennett on what appeared to be an end-around. But Bennett, a former quarterback, stopped, planted his feet and let loose a 37-yard pass to Akeem Wesley. Despite being interfered with by the Tift defensive, Wesley made the catch on the Tift 11 yard line.

Coffee declined the penalty, but couldn’t get in the end zone. On fourth and 10 from the 12 yard line, Moore came out for his first varsity field goal attempt. Moore’s foot was true from 29 yards. With 8:08 left in the second quarter, Coffee was up 17-0.

Coffee scored again at the end of the second quarter on a five-yard touchdown pass from Batten to Bennett.

In the second half, Tift came out and put the Trojans on the ropes early. Coffee was leading 24-0, and Tift recognized how desperate their situation was.

The Trojans punted on their second possession of the half, but Tift blocked the kick and ran it in for a touchdown.

Coffee didn’t get good field position on their next drive, and punted again deep in their own territory. Tift took over in Coffee territory, and drove into the end zone on the running of Kaream Hess and the blocking of Zack Allen.

Tift had cut into Coffee’s lead, and trailed 24-14.

Coffee answered yet again, this time on a 34-yard run by Williams. Tift had him wrapped up at the line, but Williams escaped for the score. That widened the margin to 31-14, which would ultimately be the final score.

Tift threatened late in the game, but Jared Wooten intercepted a pass and effectively ended Tift’s chances of making any kind of a comeback.

It was a powerful performance by both the offense and defense. The Trojans amassed 404 yards of total offense (261 rushing, 143 passing). Williams had 139 yards rushing and a touchdown. Rod Jones rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown.

Demario Bennett caught a touchdown pass and threw for another. Batten had another good game, throwing two touchdown passes and rushing for a third. The Coffee quarterback was 8-13 for 106 yards.

The defense played an outstanding game as well, thoroughly confusing Tift throughout the first half and holding the Blue Devils when it counted in the second half. D’Juan Smith played very well, and Telvin Thomas and Jared Wooten had big interceptions.

And what can be said about the little freshman kicker? Moore was perfect on the night, making each PAT and drilling home a 29-yard field goal. Pierre Moody handled the kick-offs for the first time all season, and did an excellent job there as well.

“I’m definitely happy. They’re a great football team, but we played well. All our guys played well,” said head coach Jerry Odom following the game. “It was a great win.”

Moore echoed his coach’s sentiments. “It feels great,” said the diminutive kicker.

“We had something to prove tonight and we did it,” said Wooten.

Coffee is 6-1 on the season, and 2-1 in the region. The Trojans next face Warner Robins at home on Oct. 19.

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Robert Preston, Jr. will lead this brand new blog, focused on Coffee County area amateur sports. Robert is the managing editor of The Douglas News. Robert is also a talented journalist and has started this featured photo channel as well (includes the photo above from last week’s Coffee County vs Colquitt football game). Welcome Robert!

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