Look: China Spring rolls to 31-14 win over Anna in UIL 4A-D1 Region II championship

China Spring RB Kyle Barton ran for 191 yards on 22 carries

CROWLEY, Texas - China Spring scored the final 17 points of the game to rally for a 31-17 win over previously unbeaten Anna in the UIL Class 4A Division I Region II football championship Friday night.

“We knew going into this thing it would be a four-quarter game,” China Spring head coach Tyler Beatty said. “Our kids playing tough competition this entire season prepared us for this.”

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Anna started the game on offense and quickly drove down the field. They lined up for a field goal to try to take an early lead, but it hit the crossbar and fell short. The Cougars proceeded to go on an 80-yard drive, culminating in a 21-yard scoring run by quarterback Cash McCollum.

McCollum finished the night 8 for 12 for 80 yards and a touchdown through the air, adding 61 yards on 11 carries and 2 scores on the ground.

Leading 7-0 early in the second quarter, McCollum did it again from 22 yards out to make the score 14-0 in favor of China Spring.

The Coyotes were able to respond on the ensuing drive when Jambres Dubar scored from three yards out. The Anna defense quickly forced the Cougars to punt and Brandon Green came up with the block in the end zone and the recovery to tie the game at 14-14.

China Spring retook the lead on the next drive when McCollum scrambled to avoid the pressure, and found a wide open Kyle Barton midway through the quarter.

Barton ran for 191 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown, on top of his lone reception that went for a 12-yard score.

Both offenses went on long drives with the remaining time but they both resulted in interceptions to leave the score at 21-14 going into the break.

The Cougars went right back to work to open the second half, driving 70 yards and setting up Barton to score from 9-yards out to make it 28-14, while taking over five minutes off of the clock.

The defenses took over from there, and not another point was scored for the remainder of the third quarter.

Early in the final frame, China Spring got the ball with excellent field position. While they were unable to find the end zone, Thomas Barr added to the lead with a 40-yard field goal to make the score 31-14.

Anna mounted one more drive to try and stay in the game, but a fumbled snap was recovered by the Cougars, allowing the defending champions to run out the clock and continue their title defense.

“We’ve got to get after it,” Beatty said. “Obviously getting back to this place is somewhat familiar. Our guys know how to win and finish games, and so whoever it is … it doesn’t really matter because we’re the China Spring Cougars and we’re going to go play hard nose football, and our brand of football.”

China Spring (13-1) moves on to face the Region 1 champion Decatur Eagles (11-3) at a time and place to be determined.

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(All photos by Brian McLean)

Photo by Brian McLean

Photo by Brian McLean

Photo by Brian McLean