The Tullahoma Wildcats recorded the largest comeback in Coffee Pot history Friday night, scoring 34 straight points to beat the Coffee County Red Raiders 34-21 in the 101st edition of the county rivalry in front of 7,500 fans at Wilkins Stadium. Tullahoma leads the series 66-33-2.
Tullahoma (1-1) will travel to unbeaten Cleveland on Friday, with kickoff at 6 p.m. Central, on 93.9 The Duck. The Blue Raiders beat McMinn County 28-21. Coffee County (1-1) plays next at Wilson Central.
The Cats trailed 21-0 with two minutes remaining in the first half when Tullahoma quarterback Patrick Riddle found Landin Johnson for an 11-yard completion and a first down at the Wildcat 36-yard line.
Senior Dominick Harris ripped off an eight-yard gain, Tullahoma’s longest run from scrimmage in six quarters, then caught a 27-yard pass. Riddle connected with Zion Jeffery twice, the second for a 27-yard touchdown. After a Red Raiders penalty, sophomore Luke Hyden ran in the 2-point conversion, cutting the halftime deficit to 21-8.
The second half was all Tullahoma, with Riddle connecting with Jeffery on the first play for a first down. On second and 19, Riddle found Harris once again in the middle of the field, and the senior outran Coffee County’s secondary for a 63-yard touchdown. Aiden Walker’s PAT pulled the Cats within 21-15.
Tullahoma’s Gabe DeLaughter sacked quarterback Kaysen Lowery on Coffee County’s first play, and three plays later the Raiders punted to midfield. After a first down, Harris raced 39 yards to the end zone, and Walker gave the Cats their first lead with 7:39 to play in the third quarter.
Coffee County drove to the one-yard line, but the Wildcat defense stopped them on fourth and goal. Riddle lofted a 45-yard sideline pass to Johnson, then found sophomore Colby Shephard for a 35-yard touchdown. With two minutes to play, Harris put together back-to-back 18-yard runs, the second for the final touchdown.
Unofficially, Riddle completed 13-of-27 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns. Harris carried 14 times for 149 yards and two touchdowns, and caught two passes for 89 yards and a score. Riddle was sacked multiple times, leaving his rushing total at -32 yards on 12 carries.
Shepherd led the receiving corps with six catches for 69 yards and a score, and Jeffery caught four for 54 yards and the touchdown. Walker punted four times, averaging 34.5 yards per kick. All six of his kickoffs landed inside the Coffee County 10-yard line.
DeLaughter led the defense with 15 total tackles, a pass breakup, a fumble recovery, and a sack. Hyden added 11 tackles and recovered a fumble; Michael Palmer had eight tackles, and Beau Williams added five tackles, a sack, and three quarterback hurries.
Author: C. Scott Shasteen
