Copperas Cove Bulldawgs show sparks on both sides of the ball in annual Blue vs. Gold scrimmage

By TJ MAXWELL
Cove Leader-Press

Copperas Cove football fans in attendance of Saturday’s annual Soap, Shampoo and Towel Blue vs Gold scrimmage were not disappointed as the Bulldawgs demonstrated some pinpoint passing, hard running and big hits.
“I feel like our progression is good,” said Copperas Cove athletic director and head football coach Jack Alvarez after Saturday’s scrimmage.  “We can’t be satisfied with where we’re at right now. We have to be continually growing. We have to keep pushing the kids to be as good as they can possibly be everywhere – on the field, in the classroom or at Walmart. Wherever they are, they’ve got to be their best all the time and that’s what I’m striving for. 
“I just know that if I don’t win a state championship every year, I feel like I didn’t do right.”
Junior running back Brandon Ortega got things started with a hard run up the middle for the first score for the offense. 
Junior quarterback Russel Cochran then found senior wide receiver Jahmeel Rice for a 45-yard score on the first play of the offense’s next possession. 
Senior running back Elijah De La Cruz made his triumphant return after injuring his leg in the spring game last year that kept him sidelined all of last year. He squirted free for a long touchdown score where he ran away from the defender.
Senior running back Micah Cox didn’t want to be left out of the fun. He shot through a hole opened by senior lineman Aaron Shanahan, junior lineman McKenzie Agnello and the rest of the offensive line. Cox then finished the run on his on with a selection of jukes that led him to open field. 
Another long pass from Cochran to Rice nearly went for another score but senior quarterback Jerome Gaillard was able to make an open-field tackle to prevent the score.
However, Cochran found his other 6-foot-3 receiver Jaylin Smith running down the left sideline for a score on the very next play. 
Alvarez likes the effort and attitude he’s seeing from his players.
“I don’t have anything negative to stay,” said Alvarez. “We’ve had a lot of fun coaching these guys. They are trying to do what we ask them to and I have no complaints.” 
He’s just worried about depth at some key positions, especially on defense.
“I think we’ve got to find some depth at a lot of different positions,” said Alvarez. “I think our top one and two are pretty close to being pretty good, but we still have a few spots that we’re looking at.”
Alvarez will know a lot more about his team after Friday’s scrimmage against the Abilene Eagles. 
“I want to see us execute on both sides of the ball,” he said. “I want to see the defense, lock-down cover and run to the ball. We are unselfish with our effort to the ball and we were last year also. We just have to see some guys make plays on defense.”