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Football: Cowboy Up: Coppell rolling into showdown with No. 2 Allen Friday
By Justin Thomas, Jthomas@starlocalnews.com
Early in 2012, Coppell's football team (3-0) has re-established itself as one of the premier teams in the area, having won its three games by an average of 29 points, including a 41-8 trouncing of state-ranked Longview in their season-opening Tom Landry Classic at SMU's Ford Stadium.
Friday, however, may be the stiffest challenge yet when the Cowboys square off against No. 2 state-ranked Allen.
The Eagles enter the contest perfect as well, including a 24-0 victory over Southlake Carroll, a 37-20 win over Cedar Hill and last Friday's 42-17 rout of Hebron.
The Cowboys raced out to a 28-0 advantage after three quarters.
Jacob Logan got the scoring started by hauling in a 38-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Colby Mahon at the 3:55 mark of the first quarter.
The air attack continued in the second quarter when the Mahon connected with Cameron Smith for touchdowns of 17 and 31 yards before the Cowboys went to the break up four scores following a 2-yard touchdown run by Charles West. Luke Jenner chipped in a 5-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Mahon finished the contest 9-of-13 for 154 yards and three touchdowns, while Gavin McDaniel led the rushing attack with 16 carries for 141 yards.
Defensively, the Cowboys limited the Owls to 311 yards and forced an interception.
Now Coppell will shift its focus to Friday's showdown with Allen.
The Eagles have made their way pounding opponents on the ground, leading the area with 314 yards per game. Jeff Harris leads the Allen backs with 486 yards on 60 attempts.
Through the air, Allen utilizes a pair of quarterbacks.
Oliver Pierce has thrown for 159 yards and three touchdowns to go with 243 yards and four touchdowns, while Kyler Murray has totaled 262 yards and three scores.
Defensively, Allen runs a 3-4 similar to that of Coppell. Eagles head coach Tom Westerberg and former defensive coordinator Terry Gambill even borrowed a few principles from McBride while he was coaching at Frisco Liberty to implement at Allen.
"The systems are similar," Westerberg said. "But obviously you have to adjust based on the athletes you have and what they can handle, so you will see some differences on the field Friday night."
While Coppell has been effective through the air this season, Westerberg believes a solid defensive effort begins with slowing the run.
"Coppell's offensive line has been blocking real well and doing a good job of getting body on body,
he said. "They're very effective with the pass, but we dang sure better stop the run."
Both Coppell and Allen hope to come out on top entering an off-week before their respective district openers Oct. 12.
"Obviously we want to win and build momentum going into the bye," Westerberg said. "And that game should be a blast; we are going over to Coppell, and you know they are going to have a great atmosphere, and our kids usually do well in situations like that."
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