Shorthanded Cove 7 on 7 team goes winless at Westlake SQT

By TJ MAXWELL

Cove Leader-Press

AUSTIN - The Copperas Cove 7 on 7 team hasn’t been at full strength all year with injuries, vacations and other elements that make it difficult to build the chemistry needed to thrive.

That situation continued in Austin on Friday as the Bulldawgs attempted to qualify for the state tournament unsuccessfully for the second-straight week.

With senior quarterback Jaylen Smith missing for the first time all year and senior receiver Floyd Connell missing his third-straight contest, the Dawgs were unable to put together enough consecutive plays to get a win at Westlake High School on Friday.

The Dawgs began the day with a shootout against Cedar Park that got away from them late.

Cove went score for score against Cedar ark in the first half, trailing by just three, 25-22 until a last minute touchdown gave Cedar Park a 32-22 half time advantage.

The Dawgs again pulled within a score, 41-34, before Cedar Park finished on a 19-7 run to earn the 60-41 win.

The Dawgs again hung tight early in their second game against San Angelo Central, trailing by a 20-14 score at the half.

The Bobcats, however, held the Dawgs to just 12 points in the second half while racking up 28 of their own on the way to a 48-26 win.

The Dawgs took an early 13-7 lead in their final contest of pool play against Alamo Heights with touchdowns from junior quarterback Easton Simpson to senior Kaleb Hontz and senior Zaye Pettit. 

The Mules then outscored Cove 46-13 to win 53-26, capped by an interception for a touchdown in the waning seconds of the contest. 

The Dawgs also completed touchdowns from Simpson to seniors Myles Alexander and Joseph Santiago. 

Austin High School, Cedar Park and Del Valle all qualified from the tournament.

The Bulldawgs have one final chance to qualify this Friday at the Lake Travis State Qualifying Tournament.