Photos by Legendary Texas HS Football photographer, Pat Carrigan.
In a barn burner between cross town rivals, the China Spring Cougars (6-2, 2-0) defeat the La Vega Pirates (5-3, 1-1) 52-49 at Cougar Stadium on Friday night.
After a three and out by the China Spring defense, the Cougars and Pirates traded blows just like Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed in their last bout. China Spring found the endzone on their first drive as the Cougars marched down on an 8 play, 60 yard drive, capped by QB Cash McCollum finding WR Grayson Martin from 21 yards out. La Vega answered with their own 8 play drive and scored when RB Bryson Roland found space through the Cougar defense for the 26 yard TD run. The score was tied at 7 with 3:01 remaining in the first quarter.
Back and Forth
The Cougars and Pirates traded touchdowns to a 21-21 tie, with 5:48 remaining in the second quarter. China Spring struck quickly. A four play drive with the familiar connection of McCollum to Martin for the 40 yard score, then McCollum finds a wide open RB Kyle Barton up the middle for the 65 yard catch and score.
La Vega used the running game of QB Jabulani Thornton and RB Bryson Roland, with Roland scoring all three touchdowns in the half for the Pirates. The duo were able to use their speed and quickness to get through the Cougar defenders.
China Spring goes up 28-21 on a five play drive led by WR Cameron Campos. Campos fought through defenders on a 3rd & 3 from midfield to pull in the reception from McCollum to keep the drive alive, then made an excellent catch over a defender in the endzone from 29 yards out for the score.
Looking to keep the punch for punch going, but hurt by a chop block penalty, La Vega faces a 4th & 5 from the China Spring 38 and lines up in punt formation. The Pirates attempt a fake but the pass is dropped near midfield and the Cougars take over with time winding down in the half. The Cougars are able to drive down to the 1 yard line, but settle for a K Joseph Dickerson 20 FG and a 31-21 lead going into halftime.
Second Half, Same as the First
China Spring took the opening kickoff of the second half and drove 56 yards on 9 plays, capped again by a McCollum to Martin connection, putting the Cougars up 38-21. China Spring looked to have momentum on their side, but LB Ryder Reeves, the run stopper in the middle of the defense, suffered a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the game. The Pirates were able to exploit the personnel change. La Vega used a 13 play, 72 yard drive to seize the momentum back. The next drive for the Cougars brought the punt team out for the first time. La Vega immediately answered with a 4 play, 84 yard drive to bring the Pirates within 3 at 38-35.
The Cougars countered quickly on three plays capped by McCollum finding WR Matthew Battles over the middle for the 62 yard touchdown to end the 3rd quarter and bring the score to 45-35. La Vega closed the gap back in just 46 seconds as Thornton found WR Amir Gibson for the 25 yard touchdown, again bringing the Pirates within three at 45-42.
China Spring was again stopped and forced to punt on a 4th & 14 from their own 45. A great punt by Martin pinned the Pirates inside their own 5 yard line, but they escaped quickly, then preceded on a 13 play, 96 yard scoring drive as Thornton found his brother WR Jabarie Thornton from 9 yards out. With 3:26 remaining in the game, La Vega had their first lead at 49-45.
With the Cougar running game almost non-existent for the first three quarters, RB Kyle Barton was able to find a sliver of daylight and use his speed to hit the holes. Barton racked up 46 yards on four straight carries to set the Cougars up first and goal at the Pirate 2 yard line with just under a minute to go in the game. McCollum used the draw to tiptoe into the endzone and put China Spring up 52-49 with just 49 seconds remaining in the game. 
An excessive celebration penalty was assessed to the Cougars after the touchdown, causing them to kickoff from their own 25 yard line. A strong kick off of the leg of K Grady Flanigan and great coverage by the Cougars had the Pirates start from their own 31 yard line.
La Vega was able to make it to midfield with one second remaining on the clock. Cougar defenders were set up well in their own zone as the ball was snapped. Thornton, unable to find an open receiver, started scrambling as he felt pressure from the Cougar defensive front. As Thornton steps up in the pocket, and as he reaches back to heave a Hail Mary to the endzone, DL Izaak Lard comes from behind and strips the ball as time expires.
China Spring holds on for the thrilling 52-49 victory!
Next Up
Both games in District 5-4A DI will be exciting next week, and there is an opportunity to catch them both. La Vega will host Alvarado next Friday, while China Spring travels to Stephenville next Thursday night to take on the Yellowjackets at Tarleton State University’s Memorial Stadium.
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