Published: October 19, 2009 04:28 pm      

Jets dominate game statistically, but drop 17-10 decision to Red Raiders

On a damp, cold field in Manchester, the CCHS Jets dominated the game statistically over the Coffee County Red Raiders, but dropped a 17-10 District 6AAA decision Friday night.

Coach Russ Partin's Jets (2-6, 0-3) tallied 205 total yards (126 rushing and 79 passing) over the Coach Eddie Nunley's Red Raiders (3-5, 3-0) with 156 yards, all on rushing attempts. Nunley was a former CCHS assistant for several years.

The difference was in the give-away/take-away category — the Jets losing two fumbles and two interceptions, while Coffee County had zero turnovers.

Jet quarterback Terryl Bowen rushed for 74 yards on 16 carries with one TD, and completed four of 13 passes for 79 yards. Tyler Howard rushed for 72 yards on 13 attempts, and Cody Vance rushed for 12 yards on four tries and caught one pass for 11 yards.

Cody Smith had two receptions for 58 yards, and Dakota Crain had one reception for 10 yards.

Ronnie Manus rushed for 108 yards on 23 carries with two touchdowns to lead the Red Raiders, while the hosts picked off two passes and recovered two fumbles.

After Cody Vance was stopped for a nine-yard loss on the opening kick, the Jets offense opened up like gangbusters.

After two running plays by Vance and Bowen picked up five yards, Bowen rifled a strike to Smith who raced down the sidelines for 50 yards to the Red Raider 35-yard line.

Give credit the Jet offensive line of Aaron Miller, Alex Cotter, Josh Hodgins, Eric Fitzgerald and Roger Norris and Vance and Howard for blocking, allowing Smith to motor down the field.

Another five-yard gain by Bowen and a 10-yard pass to Crain at the Red Raider 25, but two plays later, Red Raider defensive back Chris Murray picked off Bowen at the six-yard lilne.

The Jet defense led by Cody Suggs and Jonathan Cummings held the Red Raiders to three-plays and out.

A short punt return by Tyler Wallace gave the Jets another opportunity at the Red Raider 28-yard line. Five plays later, Bowen scored from the two for a 6-0 lead with 4:16 left in the first quarter. Skylar Keyes booted the PAT for a 7-0 advantage.

Howard and Vance also carried the ball for the Jets.

Coffee County returned the ensuing kick 14 yards to their 34-yard line.

Manus and teammates Zach Slater, Murray, Kyle Brazier and Kevin Langford toted the football 11 times to score on a four-yard run by Manus with 11:09 left in the half. Nathan Kanjanabout's PAT tied the game at 7-7.

Josh Sanders, Matt Green, Steven Hill, Cummings and Vance led the Jet defense.

Wallace returned the ensuing kick 19 yards to the Jet 34. The Jets running attack of Howard, Bowen and Vance would gain 48 yards on eight carries to move the pigskin to the Red Raider 23, but the Coffee County defense would not give up and held the Jets on downs at their 24-yard line.

The CCHS defense, led by two tackles for minus yardage by Rucker and Green, held the hosts to three plays and out.

The Jets took over at midfield. A 35-yard run by Howard moved the ball to the Red Raider 15, but again the hosts would shut down the Jets' attack. Keyes then booted a 26-yard field goal with 15 seconds left for a 10-7 advantage.

Coffee County's kickoff return and one running play would end the half.

CCHS rushed for 115 yards on 20 carries and complete three of eight passes for 71 yards, while holding the Red Raiders to 50 rushing on 17 carries.

Coffee County took the ensuing kick at their 34 and drove the distance in nine plays to take a 13-10 lead on Manus'  five-yard run with 8:40 left in the third quarter. Manus carried the ball seven times for 51 yards.

The Jets blocked Kanjanabout's PAT, but several flags were thrown. After some deliberation by the officiating crew, the Jets were penalized half the distance and the PAT was re-kicked. This time, it was good for a 14-10 advantage.

Coffee County was penalized for a personal foul on the kickoff, which was returned 15 yards by Kyle Pritchard, setting up the Jets at the Red Raider 48.

Aided by a personal foul penalty, CCHS moved the ball Red Raider 26, before punting.

Piercy's punt put the Red Raiders at their four, where the Jets defense led by Green and Suggs, forced another punt. CCHS took over at the Red Raider 35, but a fumble by Bowen, recovered by the Red Raiders, killed another drive.

Coffee County took over at their 30 and moved the ball, before the Jet defense led by Cummings, Anthony Barnes, Pritchard, Rucker and Daniel Forte forced another punt.

CCHS took over at their 14, but picked up only 30 yards, before punting. The snap eluded Piercy, who fumbled at the Jet 17, where Coffee County recovered.

Three plays later, Kanjanabout booted a 30-yard field goal with 3:43 left in the game for a 17-10.

CCHS still enough time to move the ball for a tying TD. Hill came in as quarterback, but two pass interference penalties helped the Jets move the ball to their 45-yard line.

Three plays later, Bowen was picked off by Coffee County's Brent Wix at the Red Raider 38. The hosts would run out the game and take the district victory.

CCHS' offense sputtered in the second half, rushing for 11 yards on 15 carries, due to some adjustments in the Red Raider defense. Coffee County rushed for 104 yards on 26 carries.

The Jets will close out their home schedule against the Kingston Yellow Jackets, coached by Vic King, who was an assistant at CCHS from 1971-'75. Billy Linville, one of King's assistants, was at CCHS in the early 1980s.

Friday night is also senior night. This will the last home game for Anthony Barnes, Alex Cotter, Eric Davis, Eric Fitzgerald, Daniel Forte, Matt Green, Aaron Kirkland, Brandon Lindsey, Andrew Phipps, Justin Piercy, Cody Smith, Cody Suggs, Cody Vance and Joseph Wyatt. The senior athletes for the golf, cross country, volleyball and girls soccer teams, along with the senior cheerleaders and band members, will be recognized Friday.