4A Team of the Week: China Spring Cougars
Stephenville and China Spring squared off in a highly anticipated 4A Division I showdown last Friday.
The Cougars won the 4A Division II State Championship a year ago but moved up to 4A Division I this year at realignment.
They were greeted with a daunting district bunkmate as they were placed in District 5-4A Division I alongside Stephenville, the defending 4A Division I state champion.
With Stephenville ranked at number one and China Spring ranked at number two in 4A Division I, the expectations for the game were through the roof.
It’s safe to say the matchup lived up to the hype.
With just 90 seconds left on the clock and China Spring up 35-28, the teams traded interceptions. The second interception by Stephenville defensive back Bradley Beaty gave the Yellow Jackets one last chance.
Quarterback Ryder Lambert needed just one play, finding sophomore Tristian Gentry for a 38-yard touchdown. Lambert struck again on the ensuing two-point conversion, scoring on a quarterback keeper to give Stephenville a 36-35 lead with just 52 ticks left on the clock.
STEPHENVILLE … FOR THE LEAD!
Ryder Lambert hits Ethan Cullis for the Yellow Jackets’ biggest Waco Army Recruiting Company touchdown of the game … and then Lambert takes it himself on the two-point conversion!
Stephenville 36, China Spring 35, 0:56/Q4#txhsfb pic.twitter.com/jHjqIhAuvN
— Look! Livestreams (@LookLivestreams) October 22, 2022
But with the top spot in 4A Division I on the line, China Spring had a response. The Cougars advanced the ball into Stephenville territory, setting up a 42-yard field goal attempt to win the game.
Cougar kicker Thomas Barr had ice in his veins, nailing the field goal to give China Spring a 38-36 victory in an instant classic.
CHINA SPRING FOR THE WIN! MR. AUTOMATIC DID WHAT HE DOES!
China Spring overcomes a last-minute Stephenville touchdown to go aaalll the way down the field, setting up a 42-yard Pointwest Bank field goal by Thomas Barr.
He drilled it.
FINAL: China Spring 38, Stephenville 36 pic.twitter.com/rhhVny8oTa
— Look! Livestreams (@LookLivestreams) October 22, 2022
With its toughest district matchup behind it, China Spring will now close out its regular season against Waxahachie Life this Friday before it embarks on another playoff run as it seeks its second-straight state title.
Previous 4A Winners
Week One: Uvalde
Week Two: Anna
Week Three: Dallas Pinkston
Week Four: Canyon West Plains
Week Five: La Vernia
Week Six: Brookshire-Royal
Week Seven: Hamshire-Fannett
Week Eight: Iowa Colony
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