The Cloudland Highlanders’ playoff journey came to an abrupt end on Friday night as they faced the Coalfield Yellow Jackets in the first round of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Class 1A playoffs. The Highlanders succumbed to a decisive 51-6 defeat, marking the conclusion of their season.
Coalfield established dominance early in the game, quickly building a substantial lead that they maintained throughout. By halftime, the Yellow Jackets had created a comfortable margin, continuing their strong performance into the second half. Although Cloudland managed to score in the fourth quarter, it was not enough to close the gap.
This loss brought Cloudland’s season to a close with a record of 5-6, including a commendable 5-2 record within Region 1-1A. In contrast, Coalfield improved to 9-2 overall and remained undefeated in Region 2-1A play with a record of 7-0.
Significant Matchup History
This game marked the 11th meeting between the two schools, with Coalfield holding a favorable 8-3 advantage in the series. The last time Cloudland triumphed over Coalfield was on November 19, 2021, when they secured a narrow 22-21 victory in the state quarterfinals.
Leading the charge for Coalfield was senior running back Jaiden Bunch, a semifinalist for the 2025 Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Award. Bunch displayed remarkable skill and endurance, rushing for 109 yards and scoring two touchdowns, significantly contributing to his team’s offensive control throughout the game.
The victory not only advanced Coalfield in the playoffs but also enhanced the legacy of head coach Benson Napier, who moved up the all-time wins list in the program’s history. The Yellow Jackets have a strong postseason record, reflecting their consistent performance in playoff scenarios.
Next week, Coalfield will host Jo Byrns High School at Rochelle Field for the second round of the TSSAA Class 1A playoffs, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.. For Cloudland, despite the disappointing end to their season, the team finished with a winning region record and achieved their goal of returning to postseason play, fostering optimism for the upcoming 2026 season.
