The China Spring Cougars (10-1) enjoyed a home playoff game and crossed that familiar goal line 10 times in a 72-7 victory over the Ft. Worth Western Hills Cougars (6-5) in the Bi-District round of the UIL playoffs.
Photo by Becky Antunes Photography
Efficient China Spring Offense
RB Kyle Barton made the most of his six carries on the night reaching the endzone three times and amassing 113 yards. As has become the norm, blink and you’ll miss the China Spring scoring drives. China Spring had seven offensive scoring drives in the first half. In those seven drives, they ran a grand total of 23 plays with the longest drive taking six offensive snaps. The offensive line was the story of the game. Barton had huge lanes to run in and QB Cash McCollum was able to sit back and let his receivers get open. McCollum accounted for four touchdowns through the air.
Big Play Tre
WR/DB Tre Hafford lived up to the nickname. Defensively, Hafford was able to leap in the air and intercept QB Keyon Butler early in the first quarter. On the next play, McCollum finds Hafford wide open down the middle for a 55 yard touchdown reception.
Big Plays For All
Hafford wasn’t the only one making big plays. WR Jackson Battles and WR/LB Tristan Exline pulled in great receptions. Battles crossed the goal line once, with Exline scoring twice. The entire defensive unit was making big plays all night. LB Jaylen Trotter and DB Cage McCloud teamed up for the defensive scoring play. Trotter forced a fumble that McCloud finished off with the scoop and score. DB Jase Garrett was applying big hits forcing incompletions. WR/DB Cameron Campos picked off Butler twice and LB Zane Borland was pulling Butler down behind the line of scrimmage.
Photo by Becky Antunes Photography
Second Half, Second Team
With a 55-0 halftime score, the two Cougar teams elected to have a running clock on the second half. With the first teamers resting on the bench, the second team got its chance to shine. RB Miles Reed had three rushes for 50 yards and a touchdown on the first drive of the second half. RB Moses Garza followed that up with a 19 yard touchdown on the second drive. Junior Varsity QB Matthew Battles led the longest scoring drive of the night for China Spring. Battles rushed six times for 49 yards on the Cougars 12 play drive that was capped by a 25 yard field goal by K David Smith.
Area Matchup
China Spring will face the Kaufman Lions (8-3) in the Area Round. Kaufman defeated Wilmer-Hutchins 41-0.
Kaufman vs. China Spring. Friday Nov 18, 7:00pm @ Corsicana High School.
*All stats are unofficial
CLICK HERE to listen to the Texas HS Football Podcast, with Taylor Arenz
