Photos by: Becky Antunes Photography
The China Spring Cougars (9-1, 4-0) claim the District 5-4A DI District Championship with a 48-7 win over the Waxahachie Life Mustangs (2-6, 0-3).
Unusual Environment
This was not a normal environment for a game for the China Spring Cougars. It would start earlier in the day when it was announced that the Award Winning China Spring Cougar Band would not be in attendance. The potential for inclement weather and the need for the band to depart early on Saturday morning for their Area Competition led the band to make the difficult decision to not attend the game in Waxahachie. The Mustang band was also not in attendance.
That inclement weather also impacted pregame activities. Lightning in the area kept the teams and fans out of the stadium until approximately 30 minutes before kickoff. Both teams performed an abbreviated warm-up and stayed on the sidelines to begin the game.
With no bands and the weather keeping many fans away as well, the game had a “junior varsity” feel to begin. Not fitting for the newly crowned #1 team in 4A.
Unusual Environment Continued
While the Cougars first drive was very typical, 3 plays capped with a RB Kyle Barton 63-yard touchdown run, the ensuing kickoff and Mustang drive was unfamiliar for China Spring. The Cougar kickoff team had several missed tackles. K Thomas Barr was finally able to stop the return on the China Spring 45-yard line. The missed tackles continued on the drive. Mustang RB Kordell Berry was able to get the Mustangs down to the Cougar 13-yard line on 4 carries. QB James Hicks was then able to find WR Cason Rogers and tie the score at 7-7.
The Weather Calmed, And So Did China Spring
The Cougar offense stayed on track, scoring touchdowns on their first 4 drives, and the defense came back to form holding the Mustangs to a 3 and out on their next three drives. LB Jacob Mott didn’t allow that 4th drive to go to a punting situation as he picked off Hicks to set up another Cougar touchdown.
Also coming back to form was Barton. The Junior running back has been bottled up the past couple of weeks but finished the night with 8 carries for 134 yards and three touchdowns. WR/DB Tre Hafford, WR/LB Tristan Exline, WR Jackson Battles, and RB Moses Garza all contributed a touchdown each on the night.
District Champs
The win secured a second consecutive district championship for China Spring. The Cougars move into a very timely bye week as they prepare for their Bi-District opponent. China Spring will face the fourth-place team out of District 6-4A DI.
Extra Point
A round of applause goes out to China Spring’s Electric Blues Dance Team and the Cougar Cheerleaders for leading the Fight Song and Alma Mater in the absence of the band! Great job ladies!
*All stats are unofficial
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