SERIOUS BUSINESS
By TJ MAXWELL
Cove Leader-Press
The Copperas Cove Bulldawg football team will begin its arduous preseason schedule with a road trip to face the A&M Consolidated Tigers at Tiger Field in College Station tonight.
“I think the thing you’re going to see is two tradition-rich programs,” said Copperas Cove head coach and athletic director Jack Welch.
The Tigers return their top three offensive weapons with senior quarterback Mason Hickson, senior running back Tyri Merchant, and senior wide out Rodney Jernigan. The Tigers were 5-6 last year and were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by eventual state runners up Temple in a lopsided 58-14 ball game.
“Offensively, they have eight returning starters coming back,” said Cove defensive coordinator Reb Brock. “The key is their quarterback Mason Hickson. He was the guy that started against us last year and the running back Tyri Merchant can really go. You can’t miss a tackle on him.
“They have two returning starters on the offensive line and Rodney Jernigan is returning starter at receiver. He had a long catch against us last year.”
The Dawgs defeated Hickson and clan in a record-setting 62-38 win at Bulldawg Stadium last year to open the season with now UTSA quarterback Manny Harris throwing for 486 yards and four touchdowns on 30 of 43 passing. Harris also ran nine times for 83 yards and another score.
The Bulldawgs will enter the game with revamped offensive weapons. Junior quarterback Caine Garner will take over for the departed Harris. Garner shone as the Junior Varsity Gold quarterback a year ago, but he will have his work cut out for him in his first year on varsity.
Senior running back Antonio Lealiiee and senior receivers Ra’shaun Henry and Bradley Lawson and junior Isaiah McGriff bring some much-needed varsity experience to the Cove backfield. They replace running backs Trent Canion and LeDerian Johnson and receivers Tre Powell and Derris Prater who accounted for 581 yards and five touchdowns in last year’s contest.
The speedy Consolidated defense will be a tough test for the inexperienced Cove offense.
“They play a three-man front with four linebackers and four defensive backs and they put a lot of pressure on you,” said Cove associate head coach and offensive coordinator Tracy Welch. “These kids can really run and run well. I know three of the four linebackers are back.”
The Dawgs have some returning experience on defense as well, led by senior defensive backs Shamad Lomax and Elijah Jordan and speedy senior linebacker D’Mani Paepalalo.
Lomax and Jordan each registered an interception on Hickson in last year’s matchup. Jordan won’t play against Consol due to an injury suffered in practice. Senior Donte Irving will get the start at corner opposite Lomax.
I don’t know what’s going to happen in these first four ball games except for one thing – excitement,” said Jack Welch. “We’re going to get after them.”