The China Spring Cougars traveled to Gatesville to meet the Hornets on Friday night and came away with a 41-10 road victory. The Cougar offense was not clicking on all cylinders but was still able to put a lot of points on the board.
Unfamiliar Territory
For the first time this season, China Spring trailed in the game. The Cougars took the opening kickoff, but a fumble on the first play from scrimmage turned the ball over to Gatesville at the China Spring 22 yard line. The Cougar defense stood strong and kept the Hornets out of the endzone.
Strong defensive plays from Senior LB Dawson Exline and Junior DB Tre Hafford on Gatesville’s first drive forced the Hornets to settle for a field goal attempt. Gatesville Senior K Luis Macias drilled the kick from 26 yards out and the Hornets took a 3-0 lead over China Spring.
China Spring’s second drive started just inside Gatesville territory. After moving the ball down to the Hornet 23, China Spring was looking at a 4th and 6.
Sure-footed Cougar K Thomas Barr was available, but in the high wind conditions, China Spring elected to go for it. QB Major Bowden was stopped short, turning the ball over on downs.
China Spring Takes to the Air
On Gatesville’s next drive, the Hornets were facing 4th and an inch from their own 34. QB Wesley Brown was met by Cougar defenders Greg Salazar and Keith Njemini and stopped for a loss.
Bowden and the Cougars take over and begin an air assault. On the six-play drive, Bowden puts the ball in the air four times. He hits Junior WR Jackson Battles twice, the second one from 17 yards out for the China Spring touchdown.
Bowden goes on to record four passing touchdowns on the night. In addition to the Battles reception, Sophomore Kyle Barton hauls one in from 22 yards out. Hafford, making his presence known on both sides of the ball, pulls in two touchdown receptions.
Isiah Williams: Playmaker
Senior Isiah Williams continues to make plays everywhere on the field. Williams earned Player of the Game honors for his exploits. Defensively, he races to the ball from his secondary position. He was in on many tackles at the line of scrimmage.
Williams’ first splash with the ball in his hands was an electric 55-yard kickoff return in the 1st quarter. In the 2nd quarter, Williams lines up next to Bowden in the backfield and takes the handoff going up the middle. With the gap closed up, he bounces outside. Once around the corner, Williams goes untouched for 75 yards and a touchdown.
Next Week
Gatesville (2-5, 1-1) will travel to Robinson (2-5, 1-1) to take on the Rockets next Friday. China Spring (7-0, 2-0) will face their toughest test of the season as the Cougars host the Salado Eagles (5-2, 2-0).
While there will be two games to go after next week, the matchup between the Cougars and Eagles should decide who will take home the district championship.
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