The China Spring Cougars (10-0, 5-0) wrapped up the District 9-4A DII Championship, and an undefeated regular season, with a 48-7 win over the Waco Connally Cadets (4-5, 3-2) at Mac Peoples Stadium. This is the first undefeated regular season for the Cougars since 2008.
China Spring Cougars
Quick Start China Spring Offense
As has become the norm, the Cougar offense struck first and struck quickly. The China Spring defense held Connally to a three and out on their first drive. After a bad snap on the Cadet punt attempt, China Spring was set up on the Connally 3 yard line to start the drive.
The Cougars started with their short-yardage alignment and Dawson Exline scored the touchdown on the first play from scrimmage.
Connally’s second drive started out promising. Germone Powell had an 11 yard gain up the middle, followed by a seven-yard run by Tre Wisner. On the third play of the drive, Cougar LB Mason Kirk forced a fumble that was recovered by Exline on the Cadet 38 yard line.
The six-play, 38-yard drive ended again with an Exline touchdown run. Five minutes into the game, China Spring led 14-0.
Cougars Defense Passed the Test
There was no doubt that the Cougar offense was going to put up points. The test was on the Cougar defense. How would the unit perform against the high-powered Cadet offense? The defense passed with flying colors.
China Spring forced three turnovers. The fumble recovery by Exline and interceptions by Kirk and Tre Hafford. Efforts to get the ball into the hands of Cadet WR Kobe Black were met by the swarming Cougar defense.
When Cadet QB Jelani McDonald dropped back to pass, he was either sent scrambling by the Cougar rush, or forced to scramble from the tight coverage of the Cougar secondary.
Unselfish Cougars
There are many playmakers on both sides of the ball for the Cougars. Offensively, talented guys may only touch the ball once during a game. Defensively, all 11 swarm to the ball and make plays.
The players on this team want to be the ones to make the plays, but they are the biggest supporters of their teammates when they make the plays.
This unselfishness starts at the top. When asked about his first district championship and the undefeated regular season, Head Coach Brian Bell was quick to praise the others on his team.
His coaching and training staff, administration and players, were all praised by Bell. The unselfishness by all the Cougars will serve them well as they begin the playoffs.
Up Next
China Spring will face Madisonville in the Bi-district round next Friday. Connally will meet Jasper in their first playoff game.
[adsanity align=’alignnone’ id=67800]
