By Owen Whitsett
The Coffee County Central Red Raiders closed out their 2025 football season Thursday night on the road, falling 28-14 to the Shelbyville Central Golden Eagles in a physical Region 3-6A matchup — heard live on Thunder Radio.
It was a gritty start for the Raiders, who came out swinging in the first quarter. Coffee County’s defense opened the game with a quick stop, forcing Shelbyville to punt on its opening drive. The Golden Eagles lined up in shotgun and tried a quick-kick, pinning the Raiders deep to start their first possession at their own 6-yard line.
Backed up near their end zone, Coffee County went to work. After two short runs set up a 3rd and long, quarterback Kaysen Lowery connected with Matthew White for a clutch 15-yard completion to give the Raiders some breathing room. Two more runs came up short, setting up another 3rd and long — but Lowery and the Raiders came through again, finding running back Tez Garrett in the flat for a 21-yard pickup.
The Lowery-to-Garrett connection stayed hot, striking again two plays later for another 17-yard gain that pushed the Raiders up to the Shelbyville 30-yard line. After two short plays set up another 3rd down, Coffee County dialed up a play that’s been a weapon all season — the end-around counter to Jett Trussler. Trussler took it off the edge, followed his blockers, and sprinted 26 yards into the end zone for a Red Raider touchdown.
The extra point was good, and with 5:10 remaining in the first quarter, Coffee County led 7-0 after a 94-yard opening drive that showcased composure and precision.
Shelbyville responded on the ensuing possession. After mishandling the kickoff and starting at their own 14-yard line, the Golden Eagles powered through with a run-heavy drive. Quarterback Steven Bobo and running back Torrion Mathis fueled the march downfield, and Bobo eventually punched in a short rushing touchdown. The PAT missed, keeping the Raiders ahead 7-6 with 45 seconds left in the first quarter.
Coffee County’s Matthew White gave the Raiders a spark on the kickoff return, taking it up to the 39-yard line. One play later, the first quarter expired with Coffee County still holding a one-point lead.
Early in the second quarter, Lowery found Tez Garrett once again on a 17-yard completion across midfield. But after the drive stalled at the Shelbyville 40-yard line, the Raiders went for it on 4th and 7 — the pass toward Kane Dixon was broken up, giving Shelbyville possession.
The Golden Eagles’ next drive started slowly after a penalty, forcing them into a long-yardage situation. On 4th down, they tried another quick-kick attempt — but this time, Coffee County’s special teams made them pay. Senior linebacker A.J. Schuster got a hand on the ball, deflecting it and leaving the punt to travel just 11 yards. The Raiders took over at their own 49-yard line with 8:49 to play in the half.
After a short gain, Garrett picked up a tough 8 yards on 3rd and 2 to move the sticks at the 35-yard line. Following a timeout, Lowery slung a pass over the middle that was tipped into the air — but Kane Dixon adjusted beautifully, snatching it out of the air and advancing to the 19-yard line. On the very next play, the Raiders handed it to Cameron Stafford, who took an inside zone rush all the way to the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown.
The PAT was good, giving Coffee County a 14-6 lead with 5:04 remaining in the first half.
Shelbyville wasted no time answering. In just two plays, the Golden Eagles covered over 65 yards to reach the red zone. Coffee County forced a 4th down, but Bobo converted with a tough run. On the next play, Mathis found paydirt from 8 yards out, and a successful two-point conversion tied things up 14-14 with 2:12 left before halftime.
The Raiders went three-and-out, and Shelbyville took one last shot before the break. After picking up a first down through the air, Grayson Sadler delivered a big sack on Bobo, forcing the Golden Eagles to let the clock expire. The game went into halftime tied 14-14.
Both defenses controlled the third quarter. The Raiders struggled to move the ball, and Zander Gomez came up huge with an interception for Coffee County to halt a Shelbyville drive. Despite the takeaway, neither team could break the stalemate, sending the game to the final quarter still tied.
In the fourth, Shelbyville’s ground game took over. The Golden Eagles put together their longest drive of the night — a steady push capped by another Mathis touchdown run on a 4th-and-5 jet sweep. The two-point conversion was good, and Shelbyville took its first lead of the night, 22-14, with 6:30 to play.
Coffee County started its next drive at the 35-yard line but couldn’t get momentum going, eventually punting on 4th and 11. On Shelbyville’s next possession, the Raiders were flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after a tackle attempt to strip the ball — a call that extended the drive. Moments later, Bobo broke loose for a 45-yard run that put the Golden Eagles in the red zone.
The Raider defense held strong at the goal line, forcing 3rd and goal, but the Golden Eagles eventually powered in from 3 yards out with 3:19 to play.
Shelbyville finishes the season 5-5 and will travel in the first round of the TSSAA Football playoffs next week.
Coffee County Stats
Passing: QB Kaysen Lowery – 13-of-23, 151 yards
Rushing: RB Jett Trussler – 3 carries, 31 yards, 26-yard TD; RB Cameron Stafford – 5 carries, 59 yards, 19-yard TD
Receiving: WR Kane Dixon – 3 catches, 42 yards; WR Matthew White – 2 catches, 25 yards; RB Tez Garrett – 3 catches, 55 yards; RB Jordan Thompson – 5 catches, 29 yards
Defense: Zander Gomez – interception; Grayson Sadler – sack; A.J. Schuster – blocked punt attempt
Team totals: 171 yards at halftime, 274 total; 11 first downs; 2 turnovers on downs; 2 punts
Shelbyville: 17 first downs; 1 turnover; 2 punts; 240 yards at halftime, 430 total
The loss ends Coffee County’s season at 2-8, closing out a year full of change — including a new region loaded with ranked opponents. Despite the record, the Red Raiders showed toughness and flashes of explosive playmaking all year long.
Head coach Brandon Harmon continues to lay the foundation for the program’s future, building a group defined by heart, physicality, and commitment to the county.
Thunder Radio thanks the Coffee County seniors for their dedication, effort, and leadership this season — and Raider Nation will be ready when they return to Carden-Jarrell Field next fall.
The post Shelbyville upends Coffee County 28-14 to close football season appeared first on Thunder Radio.
