Why Not Christoval? Cougars Preparing for Biggest Game in Their Modern History

CHRISTOVAL, TX-- The Christoval Cougars beat Cross Plains 40-34 last Friday for the program’s first playoff win as an 11-man team and their first playoff win in 26 years. It was also the program's 400th win all-time.

“It was a big goal we all had,” junior Clayton Edmiston said. “It was a real big part of my life. That was the happiest I’ve ever been after a sporting event, winning that playoff game. So, it was pretty important to the whole team.”

For head coach Casey Otho and his team, the meaning of the win didn’t set in right away.

“It hadn’t sunk in … until the next day that we had done something special,” Otho said. “I really feel for these kids. They’re the ones who kinda did it all.”

Christoval had to battle back and win that game after going down 14-6. They eventually took a 21-20 lead in the second half. With the game tied at 34, Christoval sophomore QB Brayden Wilcox found Edmiston to get set up in the red zone. Wilcox finished off the drive with a 14-yard run to give Christoval the 40-34 lead. Edmiston then intercepted the Cross Plains quarterback to seal the game.

“It took me a while to realize that we had actually made history,” Wilcox said. “But when Clayton made that last interception and we kneeled it, I was like ‘Man, we did it! We finally did it.”

A program-changing win like that can either lift a team so high that they never come back down or give them momentum going forward. Otho feels his team falls into the latter.

“Well, it gives us momentum for the future,” he added. “It gives us a new step to look forward to, knowing we can get past this first round and work toward the next level.”

Their prize for that win? A meeting with arguably the best team in Class 2A Division II, Wellington. Christoval relishes the opportunity in front of them.

“For me, I like it,” Wilcox said. “I like the challenge. I’m excited to play them. The fact that they’re [no. 2] in the state, I’m excited to go up against them.”

Heading into their clash with no. 2-ranked Wellington, the Cougars are thinking why not Christoval, especially with that momentum?

“Somebody’s gotta beat ‘em, eventually,”Otho said. “Whether it’s us or the next round, or they could win the whole thing. But they definitely have something to be worried about.”

So, why not the Christoval Cougars?

First off, Christoval has one distinct advantage: speed.

Wellington is a team that likes to stack the box. That clogs up the run game, at least between the tackles.

That’s fine for the Cougars, who like to showcase their speed by getting their skill guys, like Wilcox, Edmiston and David Fava, out wide and into space.

However, if Christoval does get bottled up into the proverbial phone booth, it could spell a lot of trouble for the Cougars. The Skyrockets boast a lot of size up front, highlighted by 6-foot-11, 365-pound Texas Tech commit Trevor Roberson.

He can open holes for seniors JoJo McKnight and Seven Wilbur, who have combined for 1,496 yards and 16 touchdowns rushing. The Cougars are aware of how difficult that test will be.

Yet, that doesn’t stop them from believing they can continue on this historic run.

“[The win] is pretty freeing,” Wilcox said. “It’s good knowing we were the first ones to ever do it and that stigma isn’t on us anymore.”

Christoval has come close to winning playoff games in the past. Last year, in Wilcox’s freshman campaign, the Cougars got a tough draw with Hawley, eventually losing 52-0.

The times have changed, however. Christoval’s star QB wasn’t at full strength and was still inexperienced despite starting most of that season. He’s leaning on that experience to prepare for this week.

“I played [last year], but I didn’t do near as good as I have done,” the sophomore said. “The fact knowing I had to come back this year and prove myself was a big deal to me. I had to do something.”

This year, Christoval has flourished in big game situations.

Two weeks ago, they knocked off Eldorado to clinch a share of the 8-2A Division II crown. Early in the season, Christoval went up to Grape Creek and beat the Eagles, a team two divisions higher. That experience is also paramount for this young Cougar squad.

“I think once we know there’s pressure on the line -- and we don’t feel too pressured -- once we know it’s playoff time, it’s all or nothing, then we kind of step up. We know what’s at stake here,” Edmiston added.

Christoval (8-3) will face Wellington at Post’s Jimmy Redman Memorial Stadium Friday at 1:00 p.m.