On Tuesday evening, the 8th grade North football team jumped on the bus for the short ride over to Buddy Echols Stadium... where they were prepared to take on their crosstown rivals from Coppell Middle School East. In a game that is always circled on the calendar, the Cougars had goals of a sweep on the night.

In the A game, it didn't take long for North to fire up the crowd. After holding East on their first possession, Cougar returner Darran Perry fielded the Bronco punt and raced up the sideline for a return TD; putting North up 6-0 early. Still in the first period, Perry again, this time from the QB position, took a run around the end to score from 10 yards out and stretched the North lead to 12-0. As play continued into the second quarter, North QB Rylan Horn connected over the top to tight end Crosby Grizzle for a 55 yard TD reception to go up 18-0. With the Cougar defense swarming the Broncos, the next big play was Cougar linebacker Nathan Campbell recovering a fumble to give the ball back to North. And once again, it was Perry taking off for a thrilling 80 yard TD scamper to extend the Cougar lead to 24-0. Despite Leo Popp recovering the ensuing kickoff to keep the ball for North, the Cougars finally ran into some resistance and took the 24-0 lead to the half time break. Starting the second quarter, it was Perry once again from the deep returner position breaking into the open and scoring on the return to push the North advantage to 30-0. However, the Broncos still had some fight left in them and did find a way to respond with a long TD run to get on the scoreboard. And with the clock quickly ticking away, North did have one more opportunity to cash in when Wyatt Synowicki recovered a Bronco muffed punt. However, the Cougars were not able to find the end zone again but went ahead and celebrated the 30-6 victory to start the night! The victory kept the Cougars undefeated and eyeing the chance to compete for the district championship next month!

In the B game, it was the East Broncos who found their way to the end zone first; scoring on a Cougar punt with a long return around the end to go up 8-0. But the North squad kept pushing and added their own TD on a QB keeper by Jackson Greene to cut the deficit down to 8-6. And as North kept pushing, boosted by some tough plays by running back Chris Angel, they hoped to jump out in front. But it was the Broncos who were able to find a late touchdown on a pass over the top to take a 16-6 lead to the half. The Cougars came out hungry and excited to stay in the fight, and did punch in a score off of a great run from Angel to stay close at 16-12. But as the second half progressed, it was the Broncos who were able to connect on a few more plays; eventually running out the clock to secure a 28-12 win. With the loss, B team now stands at 2-2 on the season.


UP NEXT:
Vs. CMS West on Tuesday, 10/6/26. ***Being played at CHS Buddy Echols Field
A team starts at 5:00; B team to follow

#GoCougars!