By Victor Carrasco
Staff Writer
The Coppell and Southlake rivalry has been a roller coaster ride over the years, and this game was no different. The final score of 37-38 alone shows just how tight and heated this game and rivalry was and has been. The stands were jam packed and the student section was completely full and some students had to sit outside of the student section. The excitement and tension filled the air along with the powder being thrown and shot out of cannons.
About ten minutes after the gates opened, the student section was quickly taken up and it became difficult to find an open seat. Many Coppell fans wouldn’t miss this game for the world after last year’s last second loss. Once the cannons went off, the fans disappeared in the powder. Nobody in the area could see beyond five feet in front of them. The level of exhilaration in the stands was incredible and the noise was deafening. I could barely hear my friends screaming in my ear over the roaring fans, gong, and bullhorns. It was truly the most wild, loud, and heart pumping crowd at a Coppell football game this year.
The game started with a surprise in the Coppell starting lineup. Senior running back Brandon Rice was playing for the first time of the season after missing the first five games with a leg injury. Right out of the gate, Rice showed no signs of weakness and scored a 24 yard rushing touchdown on just his second carry.
He did not slow down and continued to have his way with the Southlake defense, finishing the game with 118 rushing yards on 21 attempts and a rushing touchdown. Rice also contributed with 2 receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown. Fans, players, and coaches were certainly glad to see him back on the field.
“He played phenomenal.” Head Coach Mike DeWitt said after being asked about Rice’s performance.
Despite Rice’s memorable comeback, the Coppell Cowboys failed to hold off the Southlake Dragons and lost the game in double overtime 37-38. The Coppell sideline and stands went from thunderous to dead silent in the blink of an eye as Southlake celebrated.
Although the Cowboys had just gone through a tough loss, Coach Dewitt had good things to say about his team. “We’re upset and heartbroken that we didn’t win it, but I’ll tell you what we won in a lot of other areas and I’m proud of our guys for battling.” DeWitt said.
