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12-09-2006, 08:04 AM
Cove, Aledo battle today for spot in title game
Posted On: Saturday, December 09, 2006
By Monty Campbell
Killeen Daily Herald
COPPERAS COVE The 2006 high school football season has gone down as one for the ages for the Copperas Cove Bulldawgs as the team has continued to make history in advancing to its first state semifinal appearance.
The Bulldawgs face another tough obstacle in reaching the ultimate goal of a state championship when they battle Region I champion Aledo today at 1 p.m. at Waco ISD Stadium.
Both defenses will be on display as the Dawgs continue to receive big game-saving plays throughout the playoffs by their defensive unit and Aledo bases everything it does around a stout defense that allows just 192 yards and 7.6 points per game.
Although the Dawgs' potent offense will be faced with the difficult obstacle of trying to penetrate the Bearcat defense, they will have the
benefit of playing on a field that has practically served as their second home.
Copperas Cove (11-2) is enjoying the familiarity of Waco ISD Stadium for the third time this season and the sixth time overall in the past two seasons. During that span, the Dawgs have never lost and defeated Waxahachie and Garland in the playoffs.
After a 28-24 district-opening loss at Stephenville, Aledo (12-1) won its six remaining District 8-4A games by outscoring its opponents 290-7.
The Bearcats defense clamped down in the second half of their 28-12 win against Plainview in Lubbock after it appeared Plainview was
going to trim a 21-6 Aledo halftime lead in half on the first possession of the second half.
A 34-yard kickoff return and a converted fourth-down attempt put Plainview inside the Bearcat 30-yard line, but the Aledo defense stood up to the challenge and forced negative Plainview yardage the remainder of the drive.
Aledo continued to receive invaluable offensive output by its all-everything junior quarterback, Cole Loftin, as he contributed three touchdowns two passing to the Bearcats cause. His sidekick, Ryan McGuire, scored the other Aledo touchdown.
Although those two players comprise 64 percent of the total yardage and 45 percent of the Bearcats' scoring, Copperas Cove head coach Jack Welch knows that there is much more to Aledo than that duo.
"Aledo has always been a good football program that has big offensive and defensive linemen. Their line averages about 6-3, 250 pounds," Welch said. "Their quarterback reminds me a lot of Brent Garner. He's very tenacious."
The Bearcats have been able to use that size on the offensive line this season by running the ball 70 percent of the time, a ratio that makes Welch compare them to Dallas Wilson.
Leading the way on the offensive line for Aledo is Kyle Hix, a 6-foot-7, 305-pounder who has already committed to Texas. His teammate, Michael Wilcoxin (6-3, 260), bolsters the defensive line and will join him at UT.
Loftin has been terrorizing opposing defenses to the tune of 1,349 yards on 110 carries and 16 touchdowns this season in the run-oriented offense. McGuire, the other main cog in the Bearcat offense, has also eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards, entering the game with 1,007 on 106 carries.
When forced into a passing situation, Aledo prefers to spread Loftin out as a receiver and bring in Brady Thomas, who has completed half of his passes (31-of-62) for 540 yards and seven touchdowns. But he also thrown five interceptions.
The Bearcats defense, which shut out five consecutive district foes to end the season, is led by Blane Cheatham's 122 tackles and Taylor Zambreski's four interceptions. Logan Armstrong (100 tackles) and Calvin Jones (96 tackles) round out the other Aledo defensive standouts.
Copperas Cove enters uncharted waters coming off of one of the most thrilling victories in school history, 30-27 over No. 1 Texarkana Texas High last weekend.
Despite the magnitude of the victory, Welch feels like his team has the ability to keep everything in perspective and continue to play toward the goal of winning a state championship.
"I think our guys keep everything in context. I hope they are level-headed about it, I know the coaches are," Welch said. "We have preached about being a 48-minute football team all year long and I am sure the guys will come out ready to play."
The Dawgs continue to rely on the playmaking abilities of starting tailback Jerrard Millsap, who has amassed 1,460 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground this season while carrying the ball 176 times.
Junior quarterback Robert Griffin, like his counterpart from Aledo, also likes to run the ball, gaining 660 yards on 108 carries and scoring
six touchdowns. Griffin continues to impress through the air as well, passing for 1,670 yards and 20 touchdown passes while only throwing four interceptions.
The receiving corps, led by Rashad Hawk's 45 catches and 580 yards, continues to make the big reception when needed as well.
"We are starting to realize that the light at the end of the tunnel is there, we can grab it," Welch said. "It's just so close, now all we have to do is just grab it."
--------------------------------------
from FW Star-Telegram
GAMEDAY
Aledo vs. Copperas Cove
4A Division I state semifinal
1 p.m. today, Waco ISD Stadium
Radio: KTFW/92.1 FM
The Aledo Bearcats (12-1) have won nine straight. Copperas Cove (11-2) dropped from 5A this season and has been to the playoffs eight of the past nine years. ... The Bulldawgs have a very athletic defense, with linebackers who are aggressive and blitz often. Aledo will have to block well downfield to succeed with its running game, which averaged 308.6 yards per game during the regular season. ... Defensively, Aledo will need to always be aware of TE Logan Brock because he's an excellent blocker for RB Jerrard Millsap. Brock is also a solid pass receiver for QB Robert Griffin.
Posted On: Saturday, December 09, 2006
By Monty Campbell
Killeen Daily Herald
COPPERAS COVE The 2006 high school football season has gone down as one for the ages for the Copperas Cove Bulldawgs as the team has continued to make history in advancing to its first state semifinal appearance.
The Bulldawgs face another tough obstacle in reaching the ultimate goal of a state championship when they battle Region I champion Aledo today at 1 p.m. at Waco ISD Stadium.
Both defenses will be on display as the Dawgs continue to receive big game-saving plays throughout the playoffs by their defensive unit and Aledo bases everything it does around a stout defense that allows just 192 yards and 7.6 points per game.
Although the Dawgs' potent offense will be faced with the difficult obstacle of trying to penetrate the Bearcat defense, they will have the
benefit of playing on a field that has practically served as their second home.
Copperas Cove (11-2) is enjoying the familiarity of Waco ISD Stadium for the third time this season and the sixth time overall in the past two seasons. During that span, the Dawgs have never lost and defeated Waxahachie and Garland in the playoffs.
After a 28-24 district-opening loss at Stephenville, Aledo (12-1) won its six remaining District 8-4A games by outscoring its opponents 290-7.
The Bearcats defense clamped down in the second half of their 28-12 win against Plainview in Lubbock after it appeared Plainview was
going to trim a 21-6 Aledo halftime lead in half on the first possession of the second half.
A 34-yard kickoff return and a converted fourth-down attempt put Plainview inside the Bearcat 30-yard line, but the Aledo defense stood up to the challenge and forced negative Plainview yardage the remainder of the drive.
Aledo continued to receive invaluable offensive output by its all-everything junior quarterback, Cole Loftin, as he contributed three touchdowns two passing to the Bearcats cause. His sidekick, Ryan McGuire, scored the other Aledo touchdown.
Although those two players comprise 64 percent of the total yardage and 45 percent of the Bearcats' scoring, Copperas Cove head coach Jack Welch knows that there is much more to Aledo than that duo.
"Aledo has always been a good football program that has big offensive and defensive linemen. Their line averages about 6-3, 250 pounds," Welch said. "Their quarterback reminds me a lot of Brent Garner. He's very tenacious."
The Bearcats have been able to use that size on the offensive line this season by running the ball 70 percent of the time, a ratio that makes Welch compare them to Dallas Wilson.
Leading the way on the offensive line for Aledo is Kyle Hix, a 6-foot-7, 305-pounder who has already committed to Texas. His teammate, Michael Wilcoxin (6-3, 260), bolsters the defensive line and will join him at UT.
Loftin has been terrorizing opposing defenses to the tune of 1,349 yards on 110 carries and 16 touchdowns this season in the run-oriented offense. McGuire, the other main cog in the Bearcat offense, has also eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards, entering the game with 1,007 on 106 carries.
When forced into a passing situation, Aledo prefers to spread Loftin out as a receiver and bring in Brady Thomas, who has completed half of his passes (31-of-62) for 540 yards and seven touchdowns. But he also thrown five interceptions.
The Bearcats defense, which shut out five consecutive district foes to end the season, is led by Blane Cheatham's 122 tackles and Taylor Zambreski's four interceptions. Logan Armstrong (100 tackles) and Calvin Jones (96 tackles) round out the other Aledo defensive standouts.
Copperas Cove enters uncharted waters coming off of one of the most thrilling victories in school history, 30-27 over No. 1 Texarkana Texas High last weekend.
Despite the magnitude of the victory, Welch feels like his team has the ability to keep everything in perspective and continue to play toward the goal of winning a state championship.
"I think our guys keep everything in context. I hope they are level-headed about it, I know the coaches are," Welch said. "We have preached about being a 48-minute football team all year long and I am sure the guys will come out ready to play."
The Dawgs continue to rely on the playmaking abilities of starting tailback Jerrard Millsap, who has amassed 1,460 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground this season while carrying the ball 176 times.
Junior quarterback Robert Griffin, like his counterpart from Aledo, also likes to run the ball, gaining 660 yards on 108 carries and scoring
six touchdowns. Griffin continues to impress through the air as well, passing for 1,670 yards and 20 touchdown passes while only throwing four interceptions.
The receiving corps, led by Rashad Hawk's 45 catches and 580 yards, continues to make the big reception when needed as well.
"We are starting to realize that the light at the end of the tunnel is there, we can grab it," Welch said. "It's just so close, now all we have to do is just grab it."
--------------------------------------
from FW Star-Telegram
GAMEDAY
Aledo vs. Copperas Cove
4A Division I state semifinal
1 p.m. today, Waco ISD Stadium
Radio: KTFW/92.1 FM
The Aledo Bearcats (12-1) have won nine straight. Copperas Cove (11-2) dropped from 5A this season and has been to the playoffs eight of the past nine years. ... The Bulldawgs have a very athletic defense, with linebackers who are aggressive and blitz often. Aledo will have to block well downfield to succeed with its running game, which averaged 308.6 yards per game during the regular season. ... Defensively, Aledo will need to always be aware of TE Logan Brock because he's an excellent blocker for RB Jerrard Millsap. Brock is also a solid pass receiver for QB Robert Griffin.