Vondareaz King Runs For 250 Yards In Cove Loss

Copperas Cove running back Vondareaz King exploded for 250 rushing yards in the season opener at A&M Consolidated, but he is quick to point out he did not earn those yards by himself.

“The blocking by my line (allowed me to be successful),” the junior running back said. “My team helped me, and I delivered.”

Despite the big night from King, the Bulldawgs were unable to collect a victory as the Tigers continually produced big plays at key moments in a 31-20 victory over the Bulldawgs in the season opener for both teams at Tigerland Stadium on Friday night.

While the outcome was not what the Bulldawgs wanted, head coach Jack Welch saw some things he could build on, primarily the play of his offensive line.

“(It was all) because of the offensive line,” the coach said. “King made some great plays on his own as he broke out of there, but our offensive line, I thought, dominated tonight, and that is a big positive because A&M Consolidated is not a slouch.”

The Tigers proved as much by recording 435 total yards of offense, including 324 passing. Senior fill-in quarterback Jaylan Cheshire, passed for 312 yards and three touchdowns — all to different receivers.

The Tigers went into the game as seven-point underdogs with a first-time varsity starter in Cheshire, who moved up the depth chart after projected starter Weston Garner injured his knee the week before the opener.

“I think that overall this was a great game for us,” Welch said. “Games like this, they put a bad taste in your mouth. Anytime you lose, you don’t like it, but the bottom line is our kids played hard tonight, and I saw a lot of possibilities. But when you play really, really good people, it is going to be glaring what you have to work on. Tonight, we saw some things we have to work on.”

But the coach also saw some things he can build on.