Photos by Becky Antunes Photograph
The China Spring Cougars (13-1) defeated the Anna Coyotes (13-1) in the Class 4A DI Region Final by the score of 31-14. In the matchup of the defending champion vs Cinderella, the champs showed why they are the champs.
First Half Fight
The first half lived up to the billing of the huge match up between two powerful teams. Anna took the opening kickoff and China Spring was prepared for the Coyote passing attack led by QB Evan Bullock. The Louisiana Tech commit came into the game with over 4000 yards passing, 56 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions on the season. The Cougar defense, which usually stacks the box with their defensive playmakers came out in a spread out defense with extra players in the secondary to guard against Bullock’s ability to get the ball out to his receivers.
Anna also came out with a different look and ran the ball on 8 of the first 9 plays of the game. RB Jambres Dubar had 33 yards on the ground on that first drive and the Coyotes methodically marched down the field into the red zone. With a 1st & 10 at the Cougar 12, Bullock went to the air and came up empty. After two incompletions and pass to Dubar that resulted in negative yardage, Anna elected to attempt a 35 yard field goal. The kick bounced off the crossbar and the Cougar defense was able to keep the Coyotes off the scoreboard.
China Spring takes over and begins their own march down the field. The usual quick strike offense steadily goes down the field in chunks. The big 4 playmakers of the Cougar offense all touch the ball on the drive. RB Kyle Barton led the way with 26 yards on 4 carries. WR/LB Tre Hafford contributed a 12 yard reception and WR/LB Tristian Exline had a 12 yard run which also drew a facemask call on the Coyotes. The drive was capped by a 21 yard touchdown run by QB Cash McCollum. McCollum, following a big block by C Landon McMillan, runs right up the middle to put the Cougars on the board to take the 7-0 lead.
Anna’s next drive saw them earn two first downs, but a holding call and a huge sack of Bullock by DL Greydon Grimes on a 2nd & 20 forced Anna to punt the ball back to China Spring. Starting at their own 32, the Cougars again methodically march down the field on the backs of the big 4. McCollum again runs right up the middle, this time from 22 yards out, and puts China Spring up 14-0 with 11;28 remaining in the half.
Anna came into this game undefeated for a reason and came out fighting on the next drive. The Coyote offense that was expected came to life in their 3rd drive. Bullock passed for 57 of the 72 yards needed to reach the endzone. Dubar, WR Jonathan Brown and WR Sean Steens all recorded receptions. Dubar then ran the ball from 2 yards out to get Anna on the board and within 7 points of China Spring.
The Cougars were unable to move the ball after the Anna score. Stopped with the help of a sack on McCollum deep in Cougar territory, China Spring is forced to punt from their endzone. Anna LB Brandon Green is able to break through the Cougar line and block Exline’s punt. Green recovers the ball in the endzone for the touchdown. In a span of 1:34, Anna goes from trailing by 14 to tying the Cougars with 6:12 remaining in the half.
Anna pulling even was all the Cougars needed to flex their muscles and put the game away. Hafford took the ensuing kickoff down to the Coyote 34 yard line. McCollum and Barton did all the damage on the short 5 play drive. McCollum found Barton from 12 yards out to put China Spring up 21-14.
With a big return of their own, Anna sets up at the China Spring 38. Dubar picks up 10 yards on 3 carries, then Bullock aims for the endzone. Hafford, again making one of his patented big plays, intercepts Bullock’s pass with 2:24 remaining in the half. The teams trade possessions to close out the half with China Spring taking the 21-14 lead into the locker room.
Second Half Cougar Dominance
In contrast to the first-half battle, China Spring dug into their championship pedigree and dominated the Coyotes on both sides of the ball. The Cougars took the opening kickoff of the second half and delivered their best drive of the season. 11 plays, 70 yards and almost 6 minutes off the clock. 8 rushes, 3 passes and one big 3rd down conversion capped by a Barton 9 yard touchdown run. A long sustained drive was important for the Cougars to open the half. With a top tier quarterback and a team that has beaten very good teams in close games, the Cougars knew the Coyotes would come out with halftime adjustments to get the ball in the endzone. But China Spring simply didn’t allow it.
The new look Cougar defense was the story of the game, especially in the second half. The Coyotes amassed only 99 total yards in the final two quarters, with 59 coming on one drive. That drive ended with a 20 yard failed field goal attempt.
That Cougar defense saw offensive stars Barton and WR/QB Jackson Battles in the secondary. Exline also moved back deep from his normal linebacker spot on occasions. With the defense spread out, the concern was that Bullock would not be pressured as much as most opposing quarterbacks. That was not the case. DLs Greg Salazar, Grimes and Jaylen Trotter had Bullock scrambling all night. LBs Ryder Reeves and Zane Borland maintained the second tier.
Having Exline in the secondary proved beneficial with 3:24 remaining in the game. The senior do-it-all player intercepts Bullock to seal the win for China Spring.
Player(s) of the Game
Kyle Barton earned player of the game honors, and rightfully so, with 185 total yards and 2 touchdowns. But the true players of the game were the entire China Spring team and coaching staff. Until the Coyotes, the Cougars have not faced a challenge in the playoffs. These Cougars came in with a game plan on offense to get in the endzone while controlling the clock. In a huge credit to the players and coaching staff, China Spring came in with a completely different defensive scheme, with players that haven’t seen a defensive snap this season, and hold an explosive Anna offense to 7 points. This win showed that the Cougars don’t have to win with the flashy 70 yard touchdown plays. This Cougar team can get it done in the trenches.
Next Up
China Spring will take on the Decatur Eagles (11-3) in the State Semi-Final round of the Class 4A DI Playoffs on Friday December 9th at Vernon Newsome Stadium in Mansfield, with a trip to AT&T Stadium on the line. The Cougars and Eagles come in with three shared opponents: Anna, Stephenville and Alvarado. Decatur lost to Anna (54-35) and Stephenville (52-34) and took the win over Alvarado (59-29). China Spring has defeated all three shared opponents.
*All stats are unofficial
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