The China Spring Cougars (6-1, 1-0) open up District 5-4A DI with a win over the Alvarado Indians (3-4, 0-1) by a score of 59-17.
Competitive First Quarter
The Cougars and Indians traded blows in the first quarter at Cougar Field. Alvarado received the opening kickoff and made a methodical march down the field, taking up most of the first quarter. RB Jayden Bridgewater did most of the damage on the ground in that first drive. Seven plays of the 13 play drive saw the ball in Bridgewater’s hands. The Indians, however, had to settle for a 34 yard field goal from K Dylan Cox. On a 3rd & 6 from the Cougar 17, QB Cardea Collier’s pass was deflected by DB Jase Garrett.
The China Spring answer was quick. WR/LB Tristian Exline set up the Cougars with a 47 yard kickoff return. QB Cash McCollum found WR Cameron Campos from 13 yards out, the first of his two touchdown receptions, giving the Cougars a 7-3 lead.
The Indians had a quick answer of their own. On the third play of the ensuing drive, Collier was flushed from the pocket. That allowed WR Logan McDaniel to get behind the Cougar defense. Collier found the wide open McDaniel for a 68 yard touchdown reception, and an Alvarado 10-7 lead.
The Cougars again had a swift answer, this time from the legs of RB Kyle Barton. The Junior running back accounted for 64 yards of the 70 yard, four play drive. Barton ended the drive with a 41 yard touchdown run, and the Cougars went into the second quarter with a 14-10 lead. They didn’t look back.
Second Quarter Track Meet
Photo Credit: Becky Antunes Photography.
The second quarter was much different than the first. China Spring found the endzone six times. Five of those touchdowns were from the offensive unit, and the Cougars wasted no time getting to the endzone. China Spring had two-four play drives, two-three play drives and one-two play drive. That sixth touchdown came from a 45 yard pick six by Jase Garrett.
Barton ended the night with 123 yards on 10 carries and three touchdowns on the ground and one reception for 23 yards and a touchdown. McCollum was efficient through the air going 8/10 for 201 yards and three touchdowns.
Strong Cougar Defense
China Spring changed up the defensive front and it paid dividends. Jaeden Davis moved from linebacker to the defensive line and made an immediate impact. Davis ended the night with 9 tackles, two of those behind the line of scrimmage, and a pass break up. Garrett and WR/DB Tre Hafford were all over the Indian receivers and made it difficult for Collier to complete a pass.
Exline and Hafford, the two Cougars to start on both sides of the ball, were making their presence felt at all times. Both had excellent kickoff returns. Hafford had a great punt return to set up the Cougars with a short field, and both were a constant disruption to the Indian offense.
Next Up
China Spring will travel to La Vega (4-3, 1-0) to take on the Pirates in a huge rivalry game. The Cougars and Pirates have two common non-district opponents, the Connally Cadets and Lorena Leopards. While the Cougars took care of both the Cadets and Leopards, La Vega fell to both.
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