By Alex Nicoll
Staff Writer
One score was all it took to put away the Flower Mound Jaguars on Friday night. But in honor of homecoming night, Coppell decided to put on a show for the fans at Buddy Echols field and post a 45-3 score over their opponent.
Everything was in sync for the Cowboys Friday night. On defense, besides giving up one field goal, the team held them to two three-and-outs, a turnover on downs, and two fumble recoveries. On offense, Coppell took advantage of its possessions and scored every time they had the ball.
Seven times. Seven times junior quarterback Skyler Bonneau and the offensive unit crossed the pylon into the end zone. Bonneau had one touchdown pass on the nights, a 34 yard wheel pattern to senior running back Gavin McDaniel.
“We have been putting an emphasis [on scoring every time Coppell has the ball] every week,” football coach Joe McBride said.
Junior running back Charles West also added a touchdown in the second quarter off a 12 yard run. The biggest story of the night was sophomore running back Brandon Rice.
Rice finished the night with three touchdowns and the most touches he has had in a game this season.
“He is just another great asset,” McDaniel said. “We have so many running backs that can make plays and he is just another guy who adds variety to our game.”
Sophomore quarterback Myles Paschal added a 1 yard keeper for the last touchdown after the starters were replaced in the fourth quarter. The Coppell offense was balanced tonight, excelling at the run and pass, which spelled disaster for a struggling Jaguar defense. All three Cowboy running backs combined for over 300 yards rushing, with West being the leading rusher with 130 yards on 13 carries.
“Every week we want to come out here and be balanced,” McBride said. “We want to be able to throw the ball well; we want to be able to run the ball well. We want to be able to use our personnel and get everybody involved.”
Coppell struggled with penalties Friday night, finishing with 8 in the game. Costly false start and holding penalties prolonged their first drive of the second half.
The defense for Coppell had one of, if not the, most dominating performances of the year. On two consecutive possessions the Cowboys forced fumbles and junior inside linebacker Bo Anderson recovered to give the ball back to the offense. The team also held them Flower Mound to less than 100 yards rushing.
A key focus of the game was to control the Jaguars dual-threat quarterbacks, which they accomplished by having a one-lineman set. Allowing there to be more linebackers/defensive backs kept the Jaguars honest to the pass game and it stifled the run game.
“Because of what they do on offense, with it being a different type of scheme, we felt that we did not have to take on as many double teams and very powerful football,” McBride said. “It was just a matter of what we studied over the week. We didn’t need our defensive line to be down. I wanted better vision.”
For seniors Friday night’s game meant more to them than just another tally in the win column.
“It’s my senior year and I can’t believe it happened so fast,” McDaniel said. “We wanted to get a win.”
