Photos by Becky Antunes Photography
In a matchup of two of the top teams in Class 4A DI, the Stephenville Yellowjackets (6-2, 2-0) defeated the China Spring Cougars (6-3, 2-1) 31-21 at Tarleton State University’s Memorial Stadium on Thursday night. In a game where most were expecting two high-powered offenses to score at will, it started with two methodical offenses slowly marching down the field. 
The Cougars started with the ball and slowly picked up yardage. China Spring took 15 plays and just over 7 minutes, with only two of those plays over 10 yards, to take a 7-0 lead over Stephenville. China Spring converted 3 of 4 3rd downs and one 4th down, including a 3rd & 14. QB Cash McCollum found WR Grayson Martin on the 3rd & 14 for 25 yards, then McCollum again found Martin in the endzone from 13 yards out to put China Spring on top, and the only lead the Cougars would enjoy on the evening.
Stephenville answers with their own long drive, taking up the majority of the remaining 5 minutes left in the first quarter. The Yellowjackets also needed a 4th down conversion to keep the drive alive that tied the score at 7. The teams then trade possessions as the both turn the ball over on downs outside of the red zone. An interception of McCollum set up Stephenville near midfield with just under 5 minutes remaining in the half. Again, Stephenville marches down the field, this time using 12 plays to find the endzone and take a 14-7 lead into halftime, and a dejected Cougar team slowly walked to the locker room for the intermission.
Stephenville received the second-half kickoff and needed only two plays to find the endzone. RB Tate Maruska, the Tarleton State University commit, punched it in from 15 yards out to put the Yellowjackets up 21-7. China Spring again had a long drive, chipping away yardage and converting two 4th downs. The 16th play of the drive, however, was a 4th and 3 that they were unable to convert and the Cougars turned it back over on downs on the Stephenville 18. 
China Spring was able to put together two scoring drives, including a nifty scramble by McCollum to give him some time to find RB Kyle Barton downfield for the 49 yard touchdown catch, that included an excellent block by WR Cameron Campos. Campos was able to make some great catches and score the final touchdown for the Cougars. But that was not enough to overcome the Yellowjacket offense who took advantage of a short-handed Cougar defense.
Next Up
Stephenville will travel to Alvarado next week while China Spring will host Waxahachie Life in their final district game of the season.
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