Coffey’s 280+ yard night helps Redskins snap Chicks undefeated conference season

BLYTHEVILLE— The Blytheville Chickasaws came into their Friday night matchup against 4A-3 Conference opponent Pocahontas Redskins undefeated in conference play. However, the Chicks undefeated conference season was snapped by Pokie as the Redskins leaned on 5’10 junior quarterback DJ Coffey’s 284-yard performance to lead the Redskins to a 30-18 victory. 

When asked about the snapping of the undefeated conference record, Chicks newly named head coach Jett Howard stated, “I’d rather take that loss on the chin now and get my guys back refocused heading into next week. I think that’s probably for the best. So we can see where we are and what we need to fix. I feel like had we won this game we might have went into next week feeling high and mighty and probably gotten knocked down a peg. So, I feel like getting a reality check this game and still having an opportunity going into next week... I’m okay with that.”

Coffey carried the ball 52 times for the Redskins with four of those finishing in the endzone. 

Howard stated he felt the line did a good job. However, the size of Pocahontas and the lack of making tackles led to Coffey’s big night. 

The Chicks opened the scoring when a bad snap occurred at the 9:20 mark giving the Chicks the ball on the Redskin 12-yard line. Two plays later, Chicks senior Ingram Battles took a pitch from junior quarterback Jontavius Johnson for a 12 yard run to pay dirt. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, giving the Chicks a 6-0 lead. 

The Redskins then took the lead at the 6:48 mark with a 40-yard run from quarterback DJ Coffey to pay dirt and the successful two-point conversion gave PHS a two-point lead. 

BHS regained the lead with 1:12 left in the first half as Johnson threaded the needle between several Redskin defenders as he connected with senior Tyrin Walker for an 82-yard touchdown giving the Chicks a 12-8 lead. 

”Just a good play by (Johnson and Walker),” explained Howard. “Good job by Jontavius actually getting the ball out there... stepping into the pocket and making that throw down the field. Good hand-eye coordination by Tyrin to bring that ball down and then having the worth all to get some extra yards and turn it into a touchdown.”

Coffey had more yards rushing in the first half with 112 while the Chicks had a total of 109. 

With 4:08 remaining in the third quarter, Coffeey capped off a five-play drive with a two-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion was no good and the Redskins led 14-12. 

Blytheville’s leading rusher was junior receiver Derick King who broke off for a 57-yard touchdown run at the 11:50 mark in the final quarter, which gave the Chicks a four-point lead. 

After the touchdown by King, Pocahontas took control of the game with two more Coffey touchdowns of six-yards and 12-yards, respectively. 

BHS was defeated in all assets of the game with the Redskins controlling the line of scrimmage and the time of possession. 

Pokie had 349-yards of total offense to Blytheville’s 216 -yards. 

The Chicks will travel down to the south end of Mississippi County next Friday night to take on this year's 4A-3 Conference champions, the Rivercrest Colts.  

The Colts defeated the Trumann Wildcats Friday night, 49-14. 

Howard stated the Colts match the Chicks at the skill position and the in-county matchup will be a “good game”.