Strong showing Posted On: Thursday, Oct. 29 2009 07:39 AM By Angel Verdejo
The Cove Herald

Copperas Cove has been tested many times this season and passed most of them, as evidenced by the team's 7-1 overall record and first-place tie atop District 12-5A.

With the playoffs just two weeks away, the Bulldawgs will likely face their last major test Friday when they face district co-leader A&M Consolidated. A&M Consolidated's lone district loss was a 28-0 shutout at Belton, who Cove beat 10-0 the following week. The Dawgs lost to Bryan, who trailed the trio atop 12-5A after Friday's loss to Temple.

Cove and A&M Consolidated have been the standard in this area for the last five seasons, with both being the only current 12-5A schools to reach the playoffs every year since 2005.

The Dawgs and Tigers kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bulldawg Stadium.

Both should extend their playoff streaks to five straight years, with A&M Consolidated staying at the top of 12-5A while dealing with major quarterback issues.

A&M Consolidated (5-3, 4-1) should be confident in that the offense will have the same quarterback starting in consecutive games for the first time in a month. Rickey Smith, a former wide receiver, was the fifth quarterback for the Tigers and adds the passing threat back into the offense, A&M Consolidated coach Jim Slaughter said.

"We were so bad before in our ability to throw the ball — we didn't even have the threat of the pass," Slaughter said. "They could line up everybody from our tackles to our tight ends and not even worry. We were so bad that we couldn't even get the threat of the pass to scare them any."

The Tigers lost both Dillen Ashton and Parris Colbert to season-ending knee injuries in back-to-back games. They used two sophomore quarterbacks against Belton, both who were scheduled to spend the year at the sub-varsity level.

The quarterback isn't the main ingredient in the Tigers' run-first offense with running backs Clinton Banks (142 carries-884 yards, 12 touchdowns) and Christian Nutall (111-753, 11) leading the district second-leading rushing attack. Smith has attempted just 17 passes in two games, but did throw for 117 yards in last week's 34-17 win over Harker Heights.

"If nothing else, to have the ability to threaten to throw on you is a big weapon," Slaughter said.

Coach Jack Welch said, "I'm very impressed with this quarterback. He throws the ball real well; he looks like a natural. It might be a blessing in disguise."

Cove is coming off a 60-6 win over Shoemaker, as the Dawgs ran for their second-highest output (345 yards) this season and third 300-yard game. With running back Brandin Byrd's 801 yards, Friday's game will feature three of the top six backs in the district.

But what has helped Cove this season along with its last few games against A&M Consolidated is its special teams. Cove's Brelan Chancellor has the area's longest kickoff return (100 yards), while Nik Greene has the longest punt return.

"They can beat you with so many things," Slaughter said. "Not only are they great on offense and defense, but they do a spectacular job on their kicking game. It's a difference maker nearly every time they play.

"We have learned that lesson the hard way."

Cove blocked a Tiger punt and return for a touchdown in a 2005 win, while its kickoff return team continually gave the Dawgs good field position in the 31-27 loss in College Station.

Last week against Shoemaker, Cove's Cooper Brock blocked a punt and Gene Gilbert returned the loose ball 10 yards for a touchdown. The Dawgs got a second special team score when William Randolph recovered an errant Shoemaker snap in the end zone.

The two scores on special teams give Cove six non-offensive touchdowns this season.

Contact Angel Verdejo at averdejo@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7564.