August held lots of work and unexpected turns for the Coffee County Red Raider football team. The Red Raiders fans are three weeks into their season, but the team is months in. And in the past few weeks they have had to make many adjustments and overcome several adversaries.
They spent the summer practicing and playing in several scrimmages to get ready for the season. While a majority of the scrimmages didn’t end how the Raiders had desired, they ended pre-season and were ready to go. The team was overall healthy, happy, and prepared.
Friday Aug, 18 the red Raiders traveled to Franklin County for the real season opener. The Raiders won a hard fought battle, the final score being 10-7. During the Franklin county game a red Raider safety ,Tyler Martin, sustained a knee injury. Thankfully no other players were hurt. The team was pleased with the results and ready to keep working.
The following week on Aug. 25 The raiders set out to beat their cross town rivals, the Tullahoma wildcats. In the week leading up the Raiders found out Martin would be out that week due to his knee. While the players were hard at work, so were the student sections. Both Tullahoma and Coffee county’s bar stools were raging and both schools were victims of vandalism. This was the 98th “coffee pot,” the 100th year the tradition had taken place because two games had been canceled due to the schools fighting.
When the night of Coffee Pot rolled around our Raiders weren’t so fortunate. Not only did they face defeat, 16-0, but they had several injuries. Two of the more notable were offensive lineman, Javon Simmons, who sustained a concussion, and quarterback Cole Pippenger. Pippenger fell to a shoulder injury, this injury unfortunately has ended junior season. However, Pippenger hopes to be back in time for baseball.
The Monday after an unpleasant defeat to their rivals the team had to show up and shake off the loss, knowing they had another game that week. Throughout the week several Red Raiders spent time in the athletic trainer’s office training to rehab sprains and strains. Having Simmons and Pippenger out led to some major offensive changes. Junior John Massengill took over, leading the team as quarterback. Thankfully Tyler Martin returned to playing with our defense.
Thursday Aug. 31 the Red Raiders got shocking, season changing news. Head coach, Doug Greene, was resigning, effective immediately. Greene says this resignation is due to health concerns. While it was confirmed Greene suffers kidney problems there are rumors floating around that his leave may have been forced after several parent complaints. In the absence of Greene, Coach Roger Haynes will be taking over the daily activities of head coach for the remainder of the season.
Friday Sept. 2 after little time to adjust the Raiders traveled to Shelbyville to face the Golden Eagles. Unfortunately the Raiders were unable to defeat the Golden Eagles and lost 38 – 17. During the game a wide receiver, Kane Dixon, sustained a concussion and an offensive lineman, Damein Thomas, faced a shoulder injury. Thankfully both players have had a quick recovery and Simmons is also set to play again this Friday.
The Raiders are hopeful and putting in hard work as they get ready to face Siegel, Page, and Riverdale in the upcoming weeks.
