The China Spring Cougars jumped out to a big lead in the first 20 minutes of clock time and cruised to a 43-9 win over the Mexia Blackcats Friday night.

China Spring used ball control on the first possession to score the first points of the game. Cougar running back Emmanuel Abdallah scored on a one-yard run to open the scoring and give China Spring a lead they would hold the remainder of the night.

The Cougar offense clicked on the big play mentality for the next score. China Spring quarterback Mark Bowden ran a sweep to the right side and hit the corner on his way to a 35-yard run and increase the lead to double figures.

Mexia quarterback Le’Marion Miller was intercepted, and the ball was returned deep into the Blackcat end of the field. China Spring would capitalize on the great field position when Bowden threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Tre Hafford. The China Spring lead grew to 20-0 with just over nine minutes left in the first half.

The Mexia offense was still trying to get moving but the Cougar offense was in high gear early. Collin Locking caught a short touchdown pass midway through the second quarter to continue to build on the lead.

The Blackcats would get points before the half on their best drive of the first half. The running of Miller and Trey Holdman put the Blackcats in good position for a touchdown, with a key third down conversion on a long run by Holdman. The drive would stall, and Gustavo Martinez came on and kicked a 28-yard field goal and the Cougars led 27- 3 at the half.

Mexia took the second half kickoff and began their second consecutive productive drive. The marched 52 yards in nine plays and Miller scored on a 29-yard run to open the second half scoring.

The extra point failed but the Blackcats had cut into the lead at 27-9.
Ching Spring would counter that score with a Bowden 44-yard touchdown run and Sergio Watkins added a seven-yard burst for a touchdown to complete the scoring on the night.

Mexia finishes their non-district campaign 1-3 and will take a week off before beginning district play in two weeks.