FREDERICKSBURG, TX — Cementing a historic season and pursuing a state title, the Christoval Cougars took on the Falls City Beavers in the State Semi-final tonight, Dec. 4, in Fredericksburg. The Cougars, who have met little resistance thus far in the playoffs, finally came up against an opponent who punched back. A back and forth slugfest for much of the contest finally came to an end with Falls City on top. Christoval fought hard until the end but came up just short, 27-18.
The Cougar offense started their first possession at the 22-yard line after receiving the opening kickoff. Mostly running the ball out of the spread, #10 Brayden Wilcox moved the ball down the field on several explosive plays. However, the early production did not translate into points. The first drive came to an end on an incompletion during a failed 4th and one attempt at the Beaver 26-yard line.
Falls City took little time getting their offense going. Running a traditional triple-option oriented running offense, the Beavers picked up several first downs as they marched the ball into Cougar territory. With their backs against the goal line, the Christoval defense failed to keep the Beavers’ potent running game out of the endzone. #33 Luke Shaffer punched the ball in from 1-yard out, and the Beavers lead first 7-0.
Not wanting to fall behind early, the Christoval offense came back out on the field, hoping for better results than their first drive. Overcoming adversity multiple times during the possession, Brayden Wilcox converted a 4th and one at the Cougar 39-yard line and then another a series later at the Falls City 47-yard line. Through the combined efforts of Wilcox and #7 Josh Fava, the Cougars pushed the ball deep in Falls City territory. Wilcox snapped off an explosive run just outside the 20-yard line for the first Cougar touchdown of the evening. A failed 2-point conversion attempt left Falls City with the lead, 7-6.
The Cougars defense had their work cut out for them after a short kickoff gave the Beavers excellent field position at the Falls City 42-yard line. Doing a fantastic job on both sides of the ball, Wilcox tackled the Falls City running back for a loss that set up a fumble on 3rd down by the offense. Christoval forced their first punt of the night, and the offense came back out onto the field.
An outstanding punt by Falls City had the Cougars begin their next drive at the Christoval 2-yard line. With their backs against the wall, Christoval failed to move the ball on three straight plays and punted the ball away. Falls City’s defense did what they needed to do and won the field position battle. With the Beaver offense starting their next possession at the Christoval 37-yard line, the Cougar defense had to step up and stop Falls City. The Beavers had other ideas as a deep pass hauled in by a Beaver wide receiver for 29-yards and another touchdown. Falls City extended their lead 14-6.
Watch as Falls City scores a passing touchdown play, taking with the score 14-6 before the PAT:
Wilcox and Fava continued to light up the field on the ensuing offensive possession for the Cougars. Wilcox ran the ball effectively for a first down before Fava ripped off a monster 70-yard run to the Falls City 8-yard line. Falls City’s defense stiffened inside the 10-yard line and forced the Cougars into a 4th down situation outside the 1-yard line. Wilcox could not be denied and pushed the ball into the endzone on a 1-yard quarterback sneak. Another failed 2-point conversion attempt left Christoval trailing by two points headed into the locker room at the half, 14-12.
Both teams’ defenses came out of the half strong, stonewalling each other on their respective opening possessions. Falls City’s special teams gave them a definite advantage as the Beavers backed up the Cougars inside their 10-yard line. After the Cougars did nothing on offense with their back against their own goal line, the subsequent punt gave the ball back to the Beavers at the Christoval 37-yard line. Falls City then proceeded to grind out multiple first down plays, pushing the ball inside the Cougar 10-yard line. A 2-yard touchdown run extended the Beavers lead, 20-12.
The Cougars answered back instantly on their ensuing drive. Brayden Wilcox launched a deep ball to a wide-open #12 Apiatan Salinas for a 75-yard touchdown. Christoval failed to score on their 2-point conversion attempt and remained behind, 20-18.
The Cougar defense came back onto the field, fired up and ready to go as they rode the momentum from the last score. Stuffing any attempt at production by Falls City, the defense forced a three and out. Another booming punt by the Beavers gave the ball back to Christoval with a chance to take the lead at the Cougar 25-yard line.
Wilcox continued to be a force for the Cougars, both through the air and with his legs. Christoval continued to drive when a penalty stalled the drive. The officials’ questionable call on catch and run by #11 Riley Workman took what should have been a considerable gain for the Cougars and turned it into a loss on the penalty. A big hit on a block on the play was called a blindside block by the officials. Christoval did not overcome the penalty and, after two more short gains, punted the ball away.
With the 4th quarter underway, Falls City’s offensive style showed up as the Beavers ground out a 12-play drive that took more than five minutes off the clock. Time and time again, Christoval’s defense had the Beavers in a 3rd and short situation but could not get a stop them and get off the field. Falls City scored on a 2-yard run up the middle and extended their lead, 27-18.
With time no longer their ally, Christoval needed to score quickly. Beginning the possession at their own 25-yard line, the Cougars continued to have success on the ground. This success allowed the passing game to become a factor for the Beaver defense to consider as the Cougars drove the ball down the field. Completing two passes for more than 30 yards, Christoval closed in on another score. The game’s deciding play happened just outside the red zone. With two minutes left, the Beaver defense hit Wilcox hard on a quarterback keeper and forced a fumble. The Beaver defense recovered, and that turnover decided the victor.
Christoval fought hard to the end but ultimately came up short. The Cougars lost a heartbreaker Friday night, 27-18.
Analysis
Defensively, Christoval played one heck of a game against an incredibly talented squad from Falls City. Anytime a game remains close into the later stages, a triple-option offensive scheme shines. Because Falls City held onto the lead with ten minutes left in the 4th quarter, they had the option to bleed the clock for all it was worth. The Cougar defense as a whole made plays tonight when it mattered and missed some as well. Allowing the final touchdown drive ended up being the backbreaker for the Cougars, but overall, the defense played impressively hard the entire night.
Offensively, tip your hat to Brayden Wilcox. This young man can ball. He made things happen for the offense all night and gave the Cougars the spark they needed to stay in the game for the entire game. As shootouts go, he cannot be ashamed of his performance.
Head Coach Casey Otho spoke in length about Wilcox after the game. “He’s a special kid. He’s come a long way in his career. I think he will continue his career at the next level. He’s really led this team to where they are today and where they will be in the future.”
The offensive line also played their hearts out tonight. There were multiple occasions where Wilcox bought time to wait for a receiver to come open and had to scramble out of the pocket. In these instances, the offensive line had to make several different blocks on several different defenders on the same play. They also controlled the line of scrimmage for most of the night, allowing steady the production on the ground.
In the end, this game came down to special teams. Falls City’s ability to punt and kick the ball deep and pin Christoval deep in their own territory made it incredibly difficult to score on the Beaver defense. Conversely, missed 2-point conversions and short punts and kickoffs by Christoval gave Falls City a much easier time in sustaining drives.
Christoval had a season for the record books this year as they had their best record (12-2) since becoming an 11-man squad.
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