The China Spring Cougars (12-0) will take on the Carthage Bulldogs (11-0) on Friday evening at 5pm at Frisco ISD’s Children’s Health Stadium in the Class 4A DII Region 3 Semifinal game.
Even Matchup
No matter how you look at it, the Cougars and Bulldogs are evenly matched. Looking at points per game, China Spring averages 49, Carthage averages 40. Defensively, China Spring is allowing 10 points per game, while Carthage averages 9.
The Cougars and Bulldogs share two common opponents, the Madisonville Mustangs and Gatesville Hornets. Carthage defeated the Mustangs 54-3 while the Cougars earned a 50-7 victory. In the matchup against the Hornets, Carthage wins 35-0 and China Spring was victorious by a score of 41-10.
The overall matchup is fairly even, but there are some advantages to be had.
Attacking Defenses
Both squads have fast, attacking defenses. You can’t talk about the Carthage defense without talking about LB Kip Lewis. Lewis is a strong, quick ball hawk. He will be in on most tackles and will create problems for the Cougar speedsters.
China Spring doubles down with their ball-hawking linebackers. LBs Brayden Faulkner and Dawson Exline create chaos for opposing offenses. Faulkner lines up in the middle but covers sideline to sideline. Exline, known to take up residence in opposing backfields, works to disrupt the flow of the offense by stuffing runs behind the line of scrimmage and flushing the quarterback out of the pocket.
Differing Offenses
Expect Carthage QB Connor Cuff to put the ball in the air. WR Montrell Hatten is the No. 1 option, but WRs Braeden Wade and Noah Paddie can do damage with the ball in their hands. Hatten can quickly get behind a defense and make an acrobatic catch. K.D. Bell is a physical tight end that can pass protect and be an outlet for Cuff.
China Spring is a run-heavy offense. QB Major Bowden can slip through a small hole then turn on the afterburners. RB Kyle Barton can run you over with power, then race down the field untouched. RB Isaiah Williams has great speed and elusiveness of his own. After the Cougars pound with the run, Bowden can throw it out to WRs Sebastian Trevino or Tre Hafford who can create their own highlights.
When The Bulldogs Have The Ball
The quickness of Exline and DLs Keith Njemini and Greg Salazar will cause problems for the Bulldog passing attack. Big plays are still a possibility with Hatten on the outside and Cuff can make plays with his legs. The Cougar defensive pressure should force the Bulldogs to keep K.D. Bell in for pass protection, reducing the options for Cuff.
When The Cougars Have The Ball
China Spring must account for Bulldog LB Kip Lewis. The Cougars have yet to see a defender like Lewis. But Lewis and the Bulldogs have yet to see the offensive speed and power of Bowden, Barton and Williams. Expect the Cougars to use the option and miss-direction to get the speedsters in the open field.
Prediction: A Heavyweight Bout
Both defenses will give up more points than they are accustomed to. Both offenses will struggle to score the amount of points they are used to putting up. This will be a battle of two great teams. The winner will be the team that can absorb the most blows, get back up and drive down the field.
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