Passing offenses highlight Bulldogs, Cougars
“I think you can concentrate your kids more,” he said. “You can spend more time on offense and defense with varsity kids instead of coaches having to go with the JV and freshmen. You have a few more coaches helping you. It makes it easier for us.”
The Bulldogs are making their third straight postseason appearance but first in the Class 3A playoffs in at least five years.
Their reward for finishing second in District 8-3A? Playing China Spring, ranked No. 3 in the Texas Football Class 3A poll, in the bi-district round of the Class 3A Division I playoffs 7:30 p.m. today at Killeen’s Leo Buckley Stadium.
The Cougars enter the contest 5-0 as the District 7-3A champions, 10-0 overall and were a runner-up squad last season. They have 14 starters back, eight of them on defense.
China Spring utilizes a spread offense, Walker said.
“They’re very explosive,” he said. “They’re big upfront. They have great skilled kids.”
The Cougars are led by junior quarterback Brian Bell, the son of head coach Mark Bell, who has completed 104 passes for 1,871 yards. His favorite receiver is Mike Hicks with 28 catches for 689 yards. Hicks also leads the rushing attack with 38 carries for 242 yards.
“(Hicks is) their ‘go daddy,’” said Walker adding that Bell has the ability to throw in a spread formation or operate the Slot-T. “They’re very well armed.”
The Bulldogs skipper has a lot of respect for China Spring’s offense.
“One way or another you’re going to have to defend them exceptionally well,” he said. “We have to have people out there to match up with them. Hopefully, we can cover those guys.”
The key for Burnet is going to be how the secondary performs, he said.
“If we can get all of our coverages down and get them disguised and not blow any coverages, then we’ll be fine,” the coach said.
He compared China Spring to Brownwood, a squad that took a 21-0 lead against the Bulldogs in the first quarter of the season opener and won, 35-24.
But Walker said the Cougars may have an edge in one area.
“China Spring is better upfront with the offensive line than Brownwood was,” he said. “We have gotten better as the year has gone on, especially on defense.”
The Bulldogs will counter with quarterback Dillon Chafin, Bubba Richards and Chandler West.
Chafin has thrown 128 passes for 1,925 yards and 23 touchdowns against nine interceptions.
Richards has 88 carries for 484 yards, while West has 59 rushes for 367 yards.
Spencer Thurman has 24 catches for 443 yards, while Justin Wills has 24 receptions for 414 yards.
Free safety Hicks led the Cougars with 101 tackles last season. Other standouts include safety Ryan Boutwell, linemen Garrett Boyd, Daric Gorton and Santiago Suarez and defensive back Cody Foster.
“(China Spring) tries to disguise things and offset what you’re doing,” Walker said. “It’s a matter of picking up their stunts. Their defense is very talented.”
The Bulldogs skipper said the Cougars have a kicker with a strong leg.
“If he gets inside the 50, I think he can boot it,” he said. “They have an excellent kicker. He’s very talented.”