Big Cats will be prowling and growling at Planet Ford Stadium on Thursday, September 2 as the Spring Lions take on the Klein Oak Panthers in a rematch of their 2020 playoff game. The kick-off is set for 7 PM.
Spring Lions
17 starters returned for head coach Trent Miller from a team that went 9-1 and was a regional semifinalist in 2020.
The Lions are coming off a 38-17 win over Fort Bend Travis in Week 1.
Offense
The offense is dynamic, led by QB Bishop Davenport. He accounted for 4209 total yards and 43 touchdowns in 2020. For his efforts, Bishop earned the district 14-6A Most Valuable Player Award.
In Week 1, Davenport passed for 301 yards and 2 touchdowns, and 1 INT. He also added 85 yards on the ground and scored a rushing TD.
Bishop has some dependable targets to throw to.
WR Travis Sims caught 60 of Bishop’s passes last season for 730 yards for 6 TDs. And, WR Cadyn Bradley caught 30 balls for 385 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Sims caught 10 passes for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns in the win over Fort Bend Travis.
Defense
The defense is led by LB Bralon Jones, LB Darryl Doherty, DB Dorian Friend, and DB Jeffrey Foster (3 INTs in 2020).
Last week, Doherty had seven tackles and 2 tackles for loss. Bryce Morton had two sacks.
Spring does not have a definitive option at running back. So, the Lions will lean on Davenport more in the run game to avoid being one-dimensional. His 85 yards rushing against Fort Bend Travis led the team.
Klein Oak Panthers
Brandon Carpenter was promoted to head coach and welcomed just eight starters back from a 4-5 playoff team of a year ago. They lost to Spring 31-14 in the area finals.
The Panthers beat Spring Dekaney 41-6 in Week 1.
Offense
The Panthers have some talent on offense, with ATH Kaleb Black running routes with his 4.4 speed. He caught 37 balls for 485 yards and four touchdowns in 2020. RB Charles Garrett rushed for 464 yards and four touchdowns.
But it was RB Keishaun Wooten who rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Dekaney.
QB Preston Hatter made a name for himself in the playoffs last year by throwing for four touchdowns against Cy-Ridge.
In week 1, Hatter passed for two touchdowns and rushed for 67 yards.
Defense
And, the defense is loaded with playmakers from last year’s team:
- DB Antwion Broussard: 84 tackles, 1 INT, 2 kick returns for touchdowns.
- DB Joshua Wiggins: 30 tackles
- LB Gannon Tullos: 103 tackles, 4 sacks, and 3 INTs.
- DE Dorian Gates: 55 tackles, 15 TFLs, 10 sacks.
Tullos had a sack and Ryne Berger recorded two sacks against Dekaney.
Can Klein Oak’s defense disrupt Spring’s dynamic offense? Comment below.
