Coffee County finally found its spark midway through the third quarter. After the Raider defense forced a punt, junior quarterback Kaysen Lowery dropped back on the first play of the ensuing drive and launched a deep ball downfield. Senior wide receiver Kane Dixon hauled it in and raced 79 yards for a touchdown. The extra point gave Coffee County a 7–6 lead — one they would not relinquish.

The Admirals struck first late in the opening quarter, capping a long drive with a 4-yard touchdown run from Liam Hodges. But a mishandled snap on the extra point attempt left the margin at 6–0 — a detail that loomed large the rest of the way. The Raider offense sputtered through the first half, and Franklin carried that slim lead into halftime.