Undefeated Patriots Pick Up Region Win Over Coffee Co.

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rain stayed away and the crowd was full in Rudderville, Tennessee on Friday night for a big region clash between Page and the road Coffee Co. Red Raiders and it was an entertaining game that saw the home Patriots walk away with the 28-14 victory.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pats came out on fire in the 1st quarter, especially through the air, driving down the field where quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='305696' first='Colin' last='Hurd'] </strong>found senior wideout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='203835' first='Boyce' last='Smith'] </strong>in the front of the end zone to put the Pats on the board first and they never looked back.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a display of excellence from the Page offense in the 1st half where they mainly focused on using the passing attack as their main firepower while using the running game as a compliment.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was made a point prior to this game for Hurd to put the ball in the hands of Smith and senior standout receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215066' first='Max' last='Collins'] </strong>early and often and make the Coffee Co. secondary work, trying to cover these two guys and the Red Raiders were not successful. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":442157,"width":795,"height":525,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/20220909_194940-scaled-e1662912207677-1024x675.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-442157" width="795" height="525"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith finished the game with 12 catches for 187 yards and one touchdown while Collins produced a 100 yard game as well while also catching three touchdown passes with the final one coming in the 4th quarter to seal the victory for the Patriots.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first half was handled easily by Page, taking a 21-0 lead into the locker room but when they came back onto the field for the second half, they were still asleep which gave an open window to the Red Raiders and they took advantage.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the entire 3rd quarter, Page could not get anything going on offense and their defense started to bend, eventually allowing their first score of the game after a 98 yard drive finished by a 21 yard run by sophomore quarterback <strong>Cole Pippenger</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things started to become a little tight around the stadium as momentum was starting to shift towards the Red Raiders as the game headed into the 4th quarter. The Coffee Co. offense was moving the ball well and felt like they had finally found themselves in this game but their good fortune wouldn't last much longer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Raiders had multiple offensive chances in the 4th quarter to bring the game to within one score but each time they faltered and would eventually see Page put the game away.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was a nice test for both teams but especially the Patriots as they have 5A title aspirations and the Red Raiders is one of the better teams from their region that will push them on the field this season, so coming away with this win is a major deal for their team growth. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":442158,"width":848,"height":477,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/20220909_192552-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-442158" width="848" height="477"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Page Has a Deep Receiving Corp</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Patriots offense has been a consistent machine over the past several years and this season is no different, especially with the talent they have out at receiver. Through four games played, Page is averaging more than 30 points a contest and a lot of those points have come by way of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='203835' first='Boyce' last='Smith']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215066' first='Max' last='Collins']</strong> and <strong>Cason Walker</strong>. Those three wideouts have been consistent performers so far this season for the Pats and go to guys in the clutch for quarterback/linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='305696' first='Colin' last='Hurd']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All three wideouts have college traits and abilities but the guy who may have the biggest upside is Collins. The 6'2 long and physical pass catcher has put up some big numbers so far this year, leading the team in receiving yards and touchdowns. His play thus far has also helped boost his recruiting stock, forcing collegiate coaches to pay more attention</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is a sure handed, perfect option for the slot that knows how to get open and is as consistent as any receiver to ever play at Page High School. He too has boosted his stock and Smith can only push it higher with continued strong play going forward. Walker doesn't have the accolades as Collins and Smith but he is a very good athlete that could develop on the other side of the ball in college.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277796' first='Ethan' last='Cunningham'] </strong>at running back and Power Five prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149171' first='Ronan' last='O'Connell'] </strong>up front, the Page offense is stacked with enough talent to get back to Chattanooga and compete for the 5A title but those wide receivers must continue to remain a huge factor on their chase to the championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sleeper Playoff Team: Coffee Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- While the Red Raiders didn't win the game, they showed me enough against Page that they have a good enough team to have a winning season and cause some damage in the playoffs once we arrive there. The offense has a go-to back in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='234964' first='Konor' last='Heaton']</strong>, who ran tough against the Patriots while showing nice vision and lower body balance while also having a nice passing attack with Pippenger behind center and two excellent wideouts in receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='250856' first='Travis' last='Martin'] </strong>and tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222566' first='Jahlin' last='Osborne']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coffee Co. also has a pretty solid defense as well and they did a nice job Friday night of maintaining their poise when down early then bounced back in the 2nd to shut down a potent Patriots offense. These guys have a few nice pieces to build around, especially sophomore linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='250830' first='Jayden' last='Carter'].&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Raiders must continue watching film and learning from their mistakes because they have enough talent to make some noise the rest of the season. Their schedule does present a few tough games, including Lebanon at home next week but it does show opportunities to string together some wins and place themselves nicely heading into the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":442156,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/20220909_204720-1-1-scaled-crop-1755x1152-1662911876.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-442156"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->