WCMS runs over Raiders
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The Pioneers used the combination of tailback Jay Hutchings and fullback Taylor Bain, as well as a big special teams play, to pick up their second win of the season, downing the Red Raiders 26-14 in front of a decidedly pro-Coffee crowd.
Classes were dismissed for the day to allow CCMS students to attend the matchup, which has become a traditional day game between the two bordering rivals.
But despite a boisterous group of Raider boosters, it was the Pioneers who drew first blood.
Bain carried the ball four times on the opening WCMS drive, including a 25-yard burst up the middle, and Hutchings capped the possession with a 4-yard TD run on his fifth carry of the series.
The 2-point conversion failed, but the Pioneers carried a 6-0 lead into the second quarter after forcing the Raiders to turn the ball over on downs.
Coffee County’s defense made a stand of its own on the next series, stuffing Hutchings for no gain on fourth-and-1 near midfield. On their very next play, the Raiders’ Steven Jacobs streaked through the WCMS defensive unit for a 48-yard touchdown run, tying the score at 6-6.
Jacobs was a workhorse for the Raider offense, finishing with 130 yards on 15 carries while also serving as Coffee County’s kicker and main kick returner.
A 17-yard kickoff return from Caleb Northcutt set up the Pioneers’ next score, as they took over near midfield. Quarterback Bradley Steg called his own number for an 8-yard gain to convert a third down, and Hutchings went around the right side 43 yards to the goal line with just under three minutes left in the half.
On the ensuing kickoff, Jacob Lee punched the ball loose from Coffee County’s Michael Cook, and Hector Labrada pounced on the fumble to give the ball back to the Pioneers at the Raider 15-yard line. Hutchings got WCMS down to the 1 on a second-down run, and Steg plunged up the middle on a quarterback sneak to score, then completed a pass to Dakota Taylor which gave the Pioneers a 20-6 halftime lead.
Midway through the fourth, Steg went to the air again, hitting Hutchings on a swing pass to the right side which went for a 33-yard touchdown.
A 48-yard return from Stevens gave CCMS good field position, however, and Derrick Boles connected twice with Cook on short pass plays, including a 10-yard TD with 2:49 to go in the game.
Warren County was stopped on fourth down with 1:34 to go, but on the Raiders’ first play from scrimmage Hutchings came through again, picking off Boles’ pass and allowing the Pioneers to run out the clock and seal the victory.
Hutchings finished with 107 yards on just 14 carries, while Bain powered his way to a 40-yard game on just four touches. Steg completed both his pass attempts, compiling 41 yards.
The (2-3) Pioneers return to action Oct. 4, on the road against White County.