by.Demarco Moore, Sports Writer (Manchester Times)

Friday’s 92nd Coffee Pot game between cross-county rivals Coffee County Central High School and Tullahoma

Has there ever been more at stake in week two of a high school football season?

Friday’s 92nd Coffee Pot game between cross-county rivals Coffee County Central High School and Tullahoma is one of the most storied rivalries in the state of Tennessee. Just ask iHigh Inc., a marketing firm based out of Lexington, Ky. that in 2004 started the Great American Series Rivalry to help historic high school football rivalries receive national attention.

For the third-straight year, the Coffee Pot game was selected by the series, and before the Red Raiders and Wildcats clash at Carden-Jarrell Field, here are four things to look for:

1. Break the streak

The Red Raiders hoist the Coffee pot trophy after beating Tullahoma 49-10 on Aug. 17, 2016 at John Wilkins Stadium. (Manchester Times file photo by Demarco Moore)

These two teams undoubtedly have this game circled on their schedules every year, regardless of record, so there will be no lack of motivation to play come kickoff time.

Tullahoma lifted a huge weight off the back of its program last Thursday, when the Wildcats defeated Shelbyville Central 37-29 for its first win since Halloween night back in 2014. Ironically enough, that win came against the Red Raiders.

Coffee County is looking to bounce back from an ugly loss to Franklin County in week one. The Red Raiders are also trying to break their own string of 12-straight losses dating back to Aug. 17, 2016, when they defeated the Wildcats 49-10 in the 91st Coffee Pot game.

The Wildcats will now be trying to wash a bad taste out of their mouths after losing the past two rivalry games by a combined score of 91-17, a record margin of victory in the series’ history.

2. Offense in rhythm

On the first play of last week’s 34-8 loss to Franklin County, Coffee County fumbled on its first play from scrimmage after gaining a good chunk of yardage.

The Rebels would play keep away for the remainder of the game, eating up the clock with its rushing attack and limiting the Red Raiders to just 25 plays offensively.

Coffee County never got into a rhythm against Franklin County, but if it can hold onto the football and sustain scoring drives, the Red Raiders have the talent to hold onto the Coffee Pot trophy for another year.

3. Wrap up 

As frustrating as the wing-t offense is to defend, what was even more frustrating for CCHS head coach Ryan Sulkowski was watching the Red Raiders consistently trap Franklin County’s running backs in the backfield for a loss, only to have defenders miss tackles and allow positive yardage.

Defense was the story in the offseason for Coffee County, having improved athletically.

Facing a completely different offense this week, the Red Raiders’ defense has to show up ready to play.

4.  Just win baby 

The late Al Davis said it best, “Just win, baby!”

With Coffee County’s first two games of the season being non-region match ups, a win for the Red Raiders would serve them well before beginning a tough slate of games in Region 3-6A, where every team picked up a victory in week one.

It’s Coffee Pot week, and the Red Raiders would love nothing more than to pick up win No. 1 against their arch-nemesis.

Prediction: Coffee County 30, Tullahoma 21

GAMEDAY GUIDE

Who: Tullahoma Wildcats (1-0) at Coffee County Red Raiders (0-1)
When: Friday, Aug. 25
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Carden-Jarrell Field, Manchester, Tenn.

Tickets: $7 individually. Season tickets for every CCHS home game are on sale in the high school’s main office for $30 (5 home games).

Reach Demarco Moore at dmoore@manchestertimes.com, and follow him on Twitter @iam__demo