Cove goes 2-1 in 7 on 7 CPL opener

By TJ MAXWELL

Cove Leader-Press

The Copperas Cove Bulldawgs went 2-1 in their Centex Passing League debut Monday at the Copperas Cove High School practice fields. The offense was still shaking out some chemistry issues with now senior quarterback Michael Hays seeing his first live 7 on 7 action of the season. Cove edged Cameron Yoe 14-12 to open league play before falling 26-6 to Temple in game two and surviving Belton 7-6 in their final outing. The Dawgs averaged nine points per game in the three contests, although the Dawgs lone score in their final outing against Belton came on an interception for a touchdown by senior Shamad Lomax. The defense held their own with a slight hiccup coming against the Temple Wildcats in game two. The Wildcats mustered 26 points against the Dawgs after Cove held Cameron Yoe to just 12 points in their opening win. In their opening contest, the Bulldawgs found themselves in a 6-0 hole before a pair of touchdown passes from Michael Hays to seniors Gabe Williams and Ra’shaun Henry, respectively, for a 14-6 Cove lead. Each team traded turnovers on their next possessions before a long touchdown by Yoe brought them within two, 14-12. The Dawgs stalled on the next possession and Yoe drove down to the goal line where the Cove defense made a big goal line stand on fourth down to hold the lead. It was all Temple in game two. A quick strike from quarterback Reid Hesse put the Cats up 6-0 and an interception for a touchdown put the Wildcats up 13-0. After the Dawgs broke the shutout, Hesse found two more receivers for scores to close the contest. In their final outing, the Belton Tigers took a 6-0 lead when junior quarterback Peyton Mansell found fellow junior Weston Lucas for a touchdown. The Tigers threatened to extend their lead after picking off Hays in the end zone, but another strong goal line stand by Cove on fourth down kept the Dawgs in striking distance. After the Dawgs again stalled on offense, Lomax put the Dawgs up for good with a pick six on an out pattern by Mansell. The Dawgs nearly snagged another interception on the Tigers’ next possession but the throw was unable to be handled by Austin Rice. The Bulldawgs had one last chance to extend their lead but went three and out to close the day. The Bulldawg linemen showed they’re a force by winning the opening linemen challenge with 45 points over Temple (39), Belton (34) and Cove No. 2 (26). The Dawgs won the sled push, the tractor tire flip and the 45-pound dumbbell race. They also tied Temple in the bench press. The Wildcats won the tug-of-war with Belton taking the second spot. The Dawgs return to action on Saturday in Belton at 9 a.m. with another chance to qualify for the Texas State 7 on 7 Tournament in College Station on July 10-11. They will return to Belton the following weekend for the Lone Star Shootout to be held Friday and Saturday, June 12-13 after competing in the Centex Passing League in Cameron on Monday. The linemen will compete in the second linemen challenge in Belton on Monday.