The Veterans Warhawks made several big plays and a late push Friday night, but visiting Coffee County used early offensive efficiency and timely defense to secure a 35–25 win at Freedom Field.
Coffee struck first midway through the opening quarter when quarterback Tyler Dowling connected with Bobby Reynolds on a 58-yard screen pass, capping a 69-yard drive for a 7–0 lead. The Trojans extended that margin later in the quarter with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Dowling to Dwayne Johnson, completing a six-play, 79-yard series to make it 14–0.
Veterans answered early in the second quarter when quarterback Trey Byrd hit Caden Gutierrez on a 24-yard touchdown pass, cutting the deficit to 14–7. However, Coffee’s offense continued to roll. Dowling and Johnson paired up again, this time for an 8-yard touchdown, before Dowling added an 11-yard scoring run late in the half to build a 28–7 lead.
The Warhawks managed to close the half with momentum as kicker David Drake split the uprights from 40 yards out as time expired, making it 28–10 at the break.
Veterans carried that spark into the third quarter. On the first play from scrimmage, Byrd hit Mouhamadou Mane on a 43-yard touchdown pass, and a successful two-point conversion (Byrd to Glover) narrowed the gap to 28–18. The Warhawks’ defense then held Coffee scoreless for the rest of the quarter, setting up a tense fourth period.
With just over four minutes left, Reynolds delivered another highlight for the Trojans, breaking free for a 63-yard touchdown run that extended the lead to 35–18. Veterans struck back quickly, as Byrd and Mane connected again—this time for a 19-yard touchdown to finish a 65-yard drive and bring the score to 35–25 with 3:42 remaining.
The Warhawks attempted one final drive, but Coffee’s defense held strong to preserve the win.
