August 21, 2009

Story and Photographs by Greg Maupin

The last time Shelbyville football beat Coffee County, starting quarterback Luke Faulk had just entered first grade and President Clinton was still in office. That win was game four of the 2000 season. In that game, the Eagles beat the Red Raiders 27-14. Following that win, Coffee County began a streak of wins over Shelbyville that lasted four consecutive years (2005-2008). Friday night, Shelbyville broke that streak and took a big step in proving that the football program is on the rise once again with a 10-0 shut out of Coffee County.

The Eagles looked strong in the season opener despite several starters out with the flu plus an injury to leading tackler Hunter Brothers late in the first half. Coffee County took the ball first, but went three and out with just 6 yards to show for their effort. On Shelbyville's first possession, quarterback Luke Faulk threw a 67 yard pass to Shaq Thompson for the touchdown. The two play 59 yard scoring drive was the only touchdown of the game. Angel Jarquin added the extra point, and the Eagles went up 7-0 with with 9:07 remaining in the first quarter.

Coffee County fumbled on the ensuing kickoff, and the ball was recovered by Jovan Jackson for Shelbyville. The fumble was one of seven fumbles by the Red Raiders including two by Jovan Jackson. The Eagles drove 12 yards to the Red Raider 14 yard line where Jarquin attempted a field goal for the Eagles. The kick was blocked by the Red Raiders and the score remained 7-0 in favor of the Eagles.

The Red Raiders went just two plays before fumbling again. This time the ball was recovered by Tyler Weaver for the Eagles. Shelbyville, however, was unable to capitolize on the Coffee County turnover. The Shelbyville offensive series included three runs, a pass, a five yard penalty, and a quarterback sack before the Eagles were forced to punt to close out the first quarter.

Coffee County quartback Chris Murray had his pass intercepted by Shelbyville's Jaquae Greer to start the second quarter. Again, the Eagles could not take advantage of the Red Raider mistakes as the Eagles went four and out.

On the next series, Coffee County decided to work the clock and try to pound the ball on the ground as the Red Raiders worked to score. The plan seemed to be working as the Red Raiders took six minutes off the clock moving the ball 58 yards in 13 plays all on the ground. The Shelbyville defense forced a fumble on second and nine as Shelbyville's Quinton Thompson came up with the ball.

Shelbyville quarterback Luke Faulk connected with Julius Smythe for a 10 reception that got the Eagles first and 10. That was followed by a quick four and out as the teams headed into halftime with Shelbyville still in a 7-0 lead.

The third quarter saw the Eagle offense struggle as Shelbyville went four and out once more to start the opening drive. Coffee County drove their first series down the field 35 yards over 9 plays and took four minutes off the clock. On 4th and 13, Coffee County punted the ball back the to Eagles. Quarterback Faulk had his first pass go incomplete and his second was intercepted by the Coffee County defense and returned 37 yards.

Shelbyville's Jovan Jackson returned the favor three plays later by getting the ball back for the Eagles in the second of his two fumble recoveries. The Coffee County defense held as Shelbyville picked up a first down then went four and out. Coffee County gave Shelbyville one more chance as the Red Raiders fumbled once more. Logan Holden was there to recover the ball for the Eagles. This time the turnover resulted in points for Shelbyville. The Eagles ran the ball six times for 40 yards, and Jarquin kicked a 35 yard field goal just minutes into the fourth quarter.

The Coffee County mistakes countinued to build. The Red Raiders kicked the ball out of bounds on the kickoff for a penalty follwed by a fumble on the next snap. Michaux Maxwell recovered the ball for Shelbyville, but the Eagles went four and out once again.

On Coffee County's last series of the game, the Red Raiders drove 26 yards on six plays before they were forced to punt. Shelbyville controlled the ball the remainder of the game driving 23 yards in the last six minutes of the game.

Quarterback Luke Faulk was 8 of 13 for 104 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Shaq Thompson had three receptions for 75 yards to lead the Eagles. Julius Smythe ran the ball three times for 18 yards while teammate Will Trice had one reception for 8 yards. Jovan Jackson also had one reception for 3 yards.

On the ground the Eagles had 98 yards on 33 carries. Jovan Jackson led the Eagles with 39 yards on 4 carries. Teammate Julius Smythe had 12 carries for 36 yards while Will Trice added 30 yards on 10 carries. Trey Stewart was 2 carries for no yards, and Luke Faulk was -7 yards on 5 carries.

Shelbyville was penalized 7 times for 55 yards while Coffee County was flagged 5 times for 40 yards. Coffee County had seven fumbles while Shelbyville had seven fumble recoveries.

Coffee County quarterback Chris Murray was 1for 5 in the air for 16 yards and an interception. Ethan Myers was the lone receiver with 16 yards.

On the ground, Coffee County had 165 yards rushing. Ronnie Manus led Coffee County with 66 yards. Kyle Brazier had 46 yards on the ground while Zach Slater had 12 yards. Chris Murray had 29 yards rushing and Ethan Myers had 12 yards.

Shelbyville is on the road next Friday at Warren County. Kickoff is set for 7:00pm CST and can be heard live on the Shelbyville Sports Network and ShelbyvilleSports.com.

TULLAHOMA 0
BLACKMAN 52

DeShawn Smith and Jaquez Smith combined for 212 yards on the ground in just 29 carries. In addition, the Blackman defense had four interceptions as Blackman shuts out Tullahoma in a non-district matchup.

FRANKLIN COUNTY 34
WHITE COUNTY 6

Terrance Martin had runs of 39 and 55 yards to give the Rebels a 14-0 advantage after one quarter. White County scored their only touchdown on an Aaron Murray 38 yard touchdown in the second quarter. Franklin County's Martin scored on runs of 35 and 97in the third to pad the Rebel lead 27-6 after three quarters. Jeremy Wooten ran in 1 yard for a touchdown in the fourth that gave the Rebels to 34-6 wn. .


COLUMBIA 21
LAWRENCE COUNTY 13

Columbia quarterback Zach Tate hit Drake Fleming and Tyree Scribner for passes of 15 and 23 yards as the Lions took a 14-0 first quarter lead. Lawrence County County countered with a 29 yard pass from quarterback Logan Taylor to Rusty Cummings and a 1 yard run from Trent Garland to pull within one point 14-13 at the half. Columbia's Tra'Darius Goff ran 6 yards for the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter.