LSG Preview — Copperas Cove Bulldogs

Team: Copperas Cove Bulldogs

District: 12-5A

Coach: Jack Welch (15 years) 133-46-1 at Copperas Cove (1st All-Time in Copperas Cove history); 175-73-1 overall

Last Years Record: 13-2 overall 6-1 Distirct

2008 Games:
at San Angelo Central (0-10) (W 56-0)
vs Waco (6-5) (W 41-20)
at McKinney Boyd (3-7) (W 42-14)
vs *Killeen Ellison (5-5) (W 45-0)
at *Temple (5-6) (W 56-14)
vs *Bryan (4-5) (W 30-10)
at *Belton (3-7) (W 52-26)
vs *Killeen Shoemaker (4-7) (W 31-14)
at *A&M Consolidated (6-5) (L 27-31)
vs *Killeen Harker Heights (1-9) (W 38-6)

Playoffs: Division II Semifinals
Won 21-7 vs Mesquite Horn (4-7) -- Bi-District
Won 16-9 vs Garland Naaman Forest (9-3) -- Area
Won 55-48 vs Cypress Ridge (9-3) -- Regionals
Won 45-7 vs Klein Oak (10-2) -- QuarterFinals
Lost 7-23 vs Wylie (13-3) -- SemiFinals

Returning Lettermen: 18

Returning Starters: Offense: 4 Defense: 4

Key Players:
QB Cody Vaughn 1088 yards 12 TDs passing
RB Brandin Byrd 1061 yards rushing 10 TDs
RB Will Wright 1080 yards 19 TDs rushing
WR Brelan Chancellor 715 yards 10 TDs rushing
LB Donnell Hawkins 153 tackles
LB Brandon Durant 65 tackles
DB Fernando Smith 53 tackles 4 INTs

Notes:
Being one of the smallest schools in Class 5A does not slow down Copperas Cove. They advanced to the Semifinals last year including a very memorable game against Russell Shephard and Cypress Ridge. The Bulldogs will have lots of talent returning including two 1000 yard rushers and they will once again have a very fast and dominating defense. 2009 should be another 9+ win season which would be thier 10th in the last 12 years. Look for them to go 9-1 or 10-0 in the regular season winning district 12-5A and advancing to the quarter or semi finals.

History:
11 Consecutive Winning Seasons
9 of last 11 seasons had 9+ wins
2-0 vs. Aledo 2 playoff matchups in QuarterFinals in 2006 & 2007
Playoff Appearances (11) 1960,98,99,2000,01,02,04,05,06,07,08

Championship History: Copperas Cove (2) 0-2
2006 4A Division I - San Antonio Alamo Heights 40, Copperas Cove 28
2007 4A Division I - Lamar Consolidated 20, Copperas Cove 14

Last 5 year record: 60-11

Last 10 year record: 104-23

By: Michael Wright
Lone Star Gridiron
www.lonestargridiron.com