The China Spring Cougars (9-0, 4-0) travel to Mac Peoples Stadium to take on the Waco Connally Cadets (4-4, 3-1) on Friday night. A district 9-4A championship is on the line for the Cougars as they take on their long-time rival.
China Spring vs Waco Connally
High Powered Cadet Offense
China Spring Head Coach Brian Bell uses one word to describe the Cadet offense: “Explosive”. The Connally offense is averaging 34 points per game and racked up 120 points in their last two games. Last week against Gatesville, the Cadets had three touchdowns of 80 plus yards.
The Cadets are full of big-time playmakers. Cadet QB Jelani McDonald has 502 yards and six touchdowns on the ground and 834 yards and nine touchdowns in the air on the season. RB Tre Wisner has contributed 11 touchdowns on the ground on 859 yards. WR Kobe Black is a threat on the outside.
According to Coach Bell, the Cadets have unique ways to get the ball in the hands of their playmakers. Their offense has a lot of players that can do big things with the ball.
Stingy China Spring Defense
Coach Bell says the Cougar defense will need to do a good job to contain the Cadet offense. That is something China Spring has been doing well all season. As a team, the Cougars are allowing 11 points per game.
Led up the middle by DL Greg Salazar and LB Brayden Faulkner, runs between the tackles don’t go far. On the outside, DE Keith Njemini, LB/DE Dawson Exline, and LB Mason Kirk swarm the outside runs.
When the Cadets do decide to put the ball in the air, expect pressure from the Cougar defense. When McDonald does have time to pass, look for S Isaiah Williams and CB Jacob Mott to have tight coverage on the receivers.
This will be the toughest test of the year for the Cougar defense. Anticipate Faulkner in on most defensive plays. The Senior linebacker is coming off a performance with 20 tackles, two fumble recoveries, a blocked FG, and a defensive touchdown, all in one half of play last week.
Photo Credit: Becky Antunes Photography
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