By Alex Nicoll
editor-in-chief
@NicollMac
While the fans at Buddy Echols Field were entertained with all the festivities of senior night, the Cowboys survived a second half push by Colleyville Heritage to win, 34-22, Friday.
Coppell opened up the game fast scoring on its first three possessions. Senior quarterback Skyler Bonneau connected with two of his receivers in the first half: the first being a 32 yard strike to junior wide receiver Obi Obialo and the other a 23 yard pass to senior fullback Parker Wilson.
Senior running back Charles West scored the lone rushing touchdown of the first half for Coppell, off a 14 yard rush.
The Cowboys defense brought an intensity, on senior night, that was too much for Heritage to handle. Even though the defense forced three fumbles on the night, only one was recovered by junior linebacker Austin Hansen.
A turning point in the first half was senior defensive back Jacob Murray’s touchdown saving tackle on fourth and goal from the Coppell’s own five yard line.
Both teams finished with less than 150 yards total offense in a run-oriented first half. Heritage and Coppell combined for 39 rushes and only 14 passes to close out the second quarter.
It was all Heritage in the second half as they outscored Coppell 22-14. Senior quarterback Trevor Anderson finished 18-32 for 283 yards and two touchdowns and one interception.
The Coppell defense faltered some down the stretch, but stopped Heritage at crucial moments of the game. Senior defensive back Jacob Murray picked off Anderson’s pass in the third quarter, stopping a potential scoring drive and senior defensive back Bryce VonZuermuehlen blocked an extra point.
“Don’t rain on my parade,” DeWitt said. “The defense played well, they’re a really good football team. There was an inadvertent whistle that took away a fumble. [Heritage] made some plays and got in the end zone. Then [Heritage] they got an onside kick in the short field and they made some plays. [Heritage] is a great football team and I thought our kids played great.”
The big name for the night was senior running back Demarco Corbin. The back finished with 199 yards of total offense and two touchdowns.
West finished with 190 yards on 18 attempts and two touchdowns. For the seniors, this win meant more than just breaking the tie for third place in District 7-6A with Heritage. This was their last game on Buddy Echols field.
“Honestly this exactly how I wanted to go out. It’s kind of bittersweet that this is my last game on this field but it means a lot to me that we won this game,” Murray said.
