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JOE DODD: 2021 Gilmer v. China Spring Info & Notes

 December 17- China Spring @ Arlington

Stadium: AT&T Stadium
Capacity: 80,000       Surface: Hellas Matrix Turf with Helix Soft Top®

Mascot: Cougars                   Colors: Blue & White                 District: 4-4A DII   Enrollment: 904             2021 Record: 15-0; 5-0 District

Week 1: won @ Addison Trinity Christian (9-2) 49-15

Week 2: won v. Lorena (13-2) 21-13

Week 3: won v. Brownwood (4-7) 57-21

Week 4: won @ Lampasas (5-6) 47-7

Week 5: won @ Mexia (2-9) 56-7

Week 6: Open

Week 7: won v. Jarell (2-8) 74-0

Week 8: won @ Gatesville (4-7) 41-10    

Week 9: won v. Salado (7-4) 48-7

Week 10: won v. Robinson (2-8) 52-21

Week 11: won @ Waco Connally (4-6) 48-7

Week 12: won v. Madisonville (4-7) 50-7 (at Bryan’s Green)

Week 13: won v. Sealy (8-4) 48-7 (at Waco ISD)

Week 14: won v. Carthage (11-1) 27-17 (at Prosper’s Childrens Hospital)   

Week 15: won v. West Orange-Stark (11-2) 31-14 (at Tomball ISD)

Week 16: won v. Cuero (13-2) 34-9 (at Round Rock’s Reeves)

Total Points For:  683 Average Points For Per Game: 45.5

Total Points Against: 162 Average Points Against Per Game: 10.8

Head Coach: Brian Bell (4th season, 35-16, 35-16 overall)

Offensive Formation: Spread Defensive Formation: 4-2-5

China Spring Players to Watch:

#2 QB Major Bowden, Sr. 5’9”, 170 lbs., 4.4 (Returning starter. 2021: 1,404 passing yards, 1,675 rushing yards, and 47 total touchdowns. Semifinalists for Mr. Texas Football. Signed with Lamar as a running back)

#4 RB Kyle Barton, So. 5’10”, 180 lbs. (1,080 yards and 16 touchdowns rushing but was injured against Cuero and did not return. He is expected to miss the championship game)

#19 RB/WR/S Isaiah Williams, Sr. 5’8”, 185 lbs. (2-way starter at Wide Receiver and Safety; replaced the injured Barton at Running Back against Cuero and rushed for 172 yards and a touchdown on just 14 carries.)

#8 WR/S Tre Hafford, Jr. 6’0”, 190 lbs. (2-way starter at Wide Receiver and Safety; leading receiver with 36 catches for 622 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season)

#74 LG Kristopher Lyon, Sr. 6’ 7”, 335 lbs. 

#11 LB Brayden Faulkner, Sr. 6’2”, 225 lbs. (164.5 tackles with 4.5 sacks. Signed with Lamar)

#6 DE/RB Dawson Exline, Sr. 6’1”, 200 lbs. (Honorable Mention All-State Linebacker in 2020)


China Springs Historical Stats, Records, and Program Information (texashighschoolfootballhistory.com)

YEAR W-L-T  COACH

2010   (6-4-0) Mark Bell                                                                                 2011   (4-6-0) Mark Bell                                                                                 2012   (6-5-0) Mark Bell                      2013   (5-5-0) Mark Bell                      2014   (5-6-0) Mark Bell             2015 (12-2-0) Mark Bell             2016 (13-2-0) Mark Bell
2017   (9-4-0) Mark Bell     2018   (6-6-0) Brian Bell
2019   (4-8-0) Brian Bell   2020 (10-3-0) Brian Bell               2021 (15-0-0) Brian Bell


BY DECADES W- L- T
1954-59   11-31-0 (1956 season cancelled)
1960-69   43-49-5
1970-79   79-33-1
1980-89   39-63-0
1990-99   48-59-1
2000-09   94-29-0                                                                                        2010-19   71-47-0 2020-21   25-3-0
TOTAL: 410-314-7

Undefeated Seasons: 0
Winless Seasons: 2 (1955, 1984)       District Championships: 10 (1966, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1979, 2001, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2021)                             Last District Championship: 2021                                         State Championship Game Appearances: 4-1978 (China Spring 42 Lexington 3); 1979 (Hull-Daisetta 28 China Spring 18); 2007 (Celina 21 China Spring 14) State Championships: 1 (1978)         Playoff Appearances: 32         Consecutive Playoffs:8 (2014-2021)
Last Playoff Appearance: 2020
Playoff Record: 44-30-0














Mascot: Buckeyes                   Colors: Orange & Black                 District: 8-4A DII   Enrollment: 786             2021 Record: 14-1; 5-0 District

Week 1: won v. Gladewater (9-3) 42-14

Week 2: won v. Henderson (4-6) 50-14

Week 3: won v. Atlanta (0-10) 48-6

Week 4: won @ Lindale (7-5) 49-35

Week 5: lost @ Carthage (11-1) 7-28

Week 6: Open

Week 7: won @Longview Spring Hill (4-6) 56-15

Week 8: won v. Pittsburg (4-8) 26-13    

Week 9: won @ Texarkana Liberty-Eylau (5-6) 51-7

Week 10: won v. Paris North Lamar (1-9) 56-6

Week 11: won @ Texarkana Pleasant Grove (8-6) 55-14

Week 12: won v. Mexia (2-9) 71-14 (at Lindale’s Eagle)

Week 13: won v. Caddo Mills (8-4) 68-31 (at Mesquite’s Hanby)

Week 14: won v. Van (12-1) 56-35 (at Tyler’s Rose)   

Week 15: won v. Texarkana Pleasant Grove (8-6) 36-15 (at Mount Pleasant)

Week 16: won v. Celina (12-2) 27-7 (at Prosper)

Total Points For:  698 Average Points For Per Game: 46.5

Total Points Against: 254 Average Points Against Per Game: 16.9

Head Coach: Alan Metzel (2nd season, 28-3, 28-3 overall)

Offensive Formation: Spread Defensive Formation: 4-3







Gilmer Offensive Statistical Leaders


PASSING

Brandon Tennison 244 of 347     3,736 yards 36 TD's 4 INT’s


RUSHING

Ashton Haynes 157 carries   1,193 yards 24 TD's

Ladaylon Jackson   91 carries       717 yards 11 TD’s


RECEIVING

Rohan Fluellen 81 catches     1,373 yards 11 TD’s

Jyzaiah Rockwell 42 catches       669 yards   9 TD’s

Parker Gillow 39 catches       657 yards   9 TD’s


TEAM OFFENSE

Rushing 3,385 yards 225.7 ypg

Passing 3,817 yards 254.5 ypg

Total 7,202 yards 480.1 ypg


Gilmer Players to Watch:

#11 QB Brandon Tennison, Sr. 5’11”, 170 lbs. (27-4 as a starter. Semifinalists for Mr. Texas Football. 24/7 Sports 3-star recruit. Signed with UTSA)

#9 WR Jyzaiah Rockwell, Sr. 6’3”, 185 lbs. (24/7 Sports 3-star recruit. Signed with Sam Houston)

#44 DT Matthew Burton, Sr. 6’0”, 240 lbs. (2021 stats: 121 tackles, 51 QBP’s, 25 TFL, 15 sacks, 4 forced fumbles. Has offers from Ouachita Baptist and Southern Arkansas)

#56 DT Dereck Borda, Sr. 6’0”, 300 lbs. (90 tackles, 17 QBP’s, 9 TFL, 6 sacks. Has offer from East Texas Baptist)

#58 OL Brayden Clinton, Sr. 6’3”, 275 lbs. (57 Knockdowns. Has offers from Lamar & New Mexico Highlands)

#53 OL Bodie Henson, Sr. 6’2”, 240 lbs. (30 Knockdowns. Has offer from East Texas Baptist)

#68 OL Jarot Ritter, Sr. 5’10”, 220 lbs. (4-year starter at center. Has offers from East Texas Baptist & Howard Payne)

#17 WR/DB Rohan Fluellen, Jr. 6’0”, 175 lbs. (24/7 Sports 3-star recruit with offers from Houston, Marshall, Pittsburgh, Stephen F. Austin, Tennessee, UTSA, Western Kentucky & Wisconsin)

#5 RB/LB Keith Rockwell, Jr. 5’10” 205 lbs. (4 TD’s rushing, 2 TD’s receiving, 84 tackles, 9 TFL)

#10 QB/WR/CB Cadon Tennison, Fr. 5’11”, 170 lbs. (Younger brother of QB Brandon Tennison. Has offer from UTSA)

#75 OL Lucas Cano, Fr. 6’3”, 275 lbs. (Has started 8 games as a freshman)


Gilmer v. China Spring  All-Time Series   


This will be the first meeting between the two schools


STREAKS

China Spring has a 15 game winning streak (last loss: 52-14 to Carthage, 12/4/2020 in Regional Final)

Gilmer has a 10 game winning streak (last loss: 28-7 to Carthage, 9/24/2021)

Gilmer has a 48 consecutive games scoring streak (last shutout was 14-0 to Pleasant Grove in 2018)

China Spring has a 2 game losing streak in state championship games (last win 42-3 over Lexington in 1978 Class 1A championship)


PLAYOFF NOTES

This is Gilmer’s 42nd appearance in the playoffs

This is China Spring’s 32nd appearance in the playoffs

This is Gilmer’s 21st consecutive year in the playoffs

This is China Spring’s 8th consecutive year in the playoffs

This is Gilmer’s 2nd consecutive year to reach the State Championship

This is Gilmer’s 8th appearance in the State Championship

This is China Spring’s 4th appearance in the State Championship

The last time the Buckeyes advanced to the State Championship was 2020

The last time the Cougars advanced to the State Championship was 2007

This will be Gilmer’s 4th appearance in the State Championship in 10 years

This will be Gilmer’s 7th appearance in the State Championship in 18 years

This will be Gilmer’s 126th playoff game in school history

This will be China Spring’s 75th playoff game in school history

Gilmer is 93-31-1 in playoff games all time (74%) 

Gilmer is 65-17 in playoff games since 2001 (79%) 

Gilmer is 3-4 in State Championship games all time (43%)           1981: Lost to Cameron Yoe 26-3 2004: Defeated Jasper 49-47           2007: Lost to Liberty Hill 38-13                     2009: Defeated Abilene Wylie 43-26 2012: Lost to Navasota 39-3 2014: Defeated West Orange-Stark 35-25 2020: Lost to Carthage 70-14

China Spring is 1-2 in State Championship games all time (33%) 1978: Won v. Lexington 42-3                     1979: Lost to Hull-Daisetta 28-18           1988: Lost to Celina 21-14  

Gilmer's 93 playoff wins are the 11th most in Texas high school football history (Source: www.TexasHighSchoolFootballHistory.com)     

Gilmer has either won the state championship or lost in the playoffs to the eventual state champion in 11 of the past 18 years  

2003-lost to 3A DII State Champion Atlanta in round 4 2004-won 3A DI State Championship           2006-lost to 3A DI State Champion Texarkana Liberty-Eylau in round 1   2007-lost to state champion Liberty Hill in 3A DI State Championship         2008-lost to 3A DII State Champion Carthage in round 4                   2009-won 3A DII State Championship         2012-lost to state champion Navasota 3A DII State Championship 2013-lost to 3A DII State Champion Argyle in round 3 2014-won 4A DII State Championship 2019-lost to 4A DII State Champion Texarkana Pleasant Grove in round 4 2020-lost to state champion Carthage in 4A DII State Championship

GAME NOTES

Gilmer is 1-2 in games played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington 2012: Lost to Navasota 39-3 in 3A DII State Championship 2014: Defeated West Orange-Stark 35-25 in 4A DII State Championship 2020: Lost to Carthage 70-14 in 4A DII State Championship

China Spring is a 2 points favorite over Gilmer according to PigskinPrep.com which predicts a 24-22 victory for the Bobcats

China Spring is ranked 1st in the Class 4A-II Pigskinprep.com power rankings

Gilmer is ranked 2nd in the Class 4A-II Pigskinprep.com power rankings

Gilmer was ranked 2nd in the final regular season Class 4A-II Associated Press & TexasFootball.com poll

China Spring was ranked 5th in the final regular season Class 4A-II Associated Press & TexasFootball.com poll 

Gilmer Senior QB Brandon Tennison is 27-4 as a starter. All 4 losses were to the state champions that season and the defending state champion this season                                                                   


SEASON NOTES

Gilmer head coach Alan Metzel is 28-3 in his 2nd season at Gilmer. All 3 loses were to Carthage

Gilmer’s offense is averaging 480.1 total yards per game

Gilmer's 824 offensive plays consist of 473 rushing attempts (57%) and 351 passing attempts (43%)

Gilmer averages 254.5 yards per game passing (53%) and 225.7 yards per game rushing (47%)

Gilmer’s offense is averaging 8.7 yards per play

Gilmer has rushing touchdowns by 9 different players

Gilmer has receiving touchdowns by 8 different players

Gilmer’s schedule is the 13th toughest in Class 4A-II according to PigskinPrep.com

China Spring's schedule is the 9th toughest in Class 4A-II according to PigskinPrep.com

China Spring and Gilmer share 2 common opponents this season. The Cougars defeated Mexia 56-7 and the Buckeyes defeated Mexia 71-14. The Cougars defeated Carthage 27-17 and the Buckeyes lost to Carthage 28-7 

Gilmer's 46.5 points per game is the 4th best in 4A-II

China Spring's 45.5 points per game is the 5th best in 4A-II

China Spring’s 10.8 points allowed per game is the 5th best in 4A-II

Gilmer’s 16.9 points allowed per game is the 14th best in 4A-II

Celina's 34.7 points differential per game is the 2nd best in 4A-II

Gilmer's 29.6 points differential per game is the 7th best in 4A-II

Gilmer’s offense has turned the ball over 16 times (4 Interceptions and 12 fumbles)

Gilmer’s defense has forced 37 turnovers (22 Interceptions and 15 fumbles)

Gilmer has a +21 turnover ratio for the season

Gilmer’s defense allows an average of 287 total yards offense per game

Gilmer’s defense allows an average of 124.5 rushing yards per game

Gilmer’s defense allows an average of 162.5 passing yards per game

Gilmer’s defense has 47 sacks (3.1 per game average)

Gilmer’s defense has recorded 24 sacks in the 5 playoff games

Gilmer's opponents have converted 62 of 185 3rd downs (34%)            

Gilmer's opponents have converted 17 of 57 4th downs (30%)

Gilmer’s defense has allowed 150 yards or more rushing in only 5 games this year

Gilmer’s defense has allowed 200 yards or more passing in only 5 games this year

Gilmer’s defense has allowed 300 total yards or more in only 6 games this year

Celina’s defense has allowed 300 total yards or more in only 2 games this year

Gilmer Senior QB Brandon Tennison needs 111 total offensive yards to pass Aaron Brown’s 2017 season for the 5th best in school history. 


5,357 2016 Aaron Brown (15 games)

5,135 2004 Manuel Johnson (16 games)

4,851 2020 Brandon Tennison (15 games)

4,429 2009 Darian Godfrey (15 games)

4,373 2017 Aaron Brown (13 games)

4,263 2021 Brandon Tennison (15 games)

Gilmer Senior QB Brandon Tennison needs 131 passing yards to pass his own 2020 season for the 4th most in school history.


5,013 2016 Aaron Brown (15 games)

4,102 2004 Manuel Johnson (16 games)

3,969 2014 McLane Carter (16 games)

3,866 2020 Brandon Tennison (15 games)

3,736 2021 Brandon Tennison (15 games)

Gilmer Senior QB Brandon Tennison needs 3 touchdown passes to pass Darian Godfrey’s 2007 season for 8th most in school history


48 2016 Aaron Brown (15 games)

48 2004 Manuel Johnson (16 games)

47 2006 G.J. Kinne (11 games)

47 2014 McLane Carter (16 games)

42 2009 Darian Godfrey (15 games)

40 2013 Tanner Barr (13 games)

40 2020 Brandon Tennison (15 games)

38 2007 Darian Godfrey (15 games)

36 2021 Brandon Tennison (15 games)


Gilmer Junior WR Rohan Fluellen’s 1,373 receiving yards is the most in school history  


1,373 2021 Rohan Fluellen (15 games)

1,368 2016 LaMarcus Morton (15 games)

1,305 2011 Darrion Pollard (13 games)

1,168 2003 Manuel Johnson (14 games)

1,141 2020 Dylan Fluellen (14 games)

          Gilmer Junior WR Rohan Fluellen needs 4 receptions to pass Darrion Pollard’s 2011 season for most in school history


84 2011 Darrion Pollard (13 games)

81 2021 Rohan Fluellen (15 games)



Gilmer Junior RB Ashton Haynes needs 1 rushing touchdown to pass Bran Webb Jr.’s 2017 season and tie Justin Johnson’s 2007 season for 3rd most in school history


27 2010 Luke Turner (13 games)

27 2003 Derek McKenzie (14 games)

25 2007 Justin Johnson (14 games)

24 2017 Bran Webb Jr. (13 games)

24 2021 Ashton Haynes (15 games)


Gilmer Junior RB Ashton Haynes needs 1 offensive touchdowns to pass Derek McKenzie’s 2003 season and Luke Turner’s 2010 season for 5th most in school history


35 2014 Blake Lynch (16 games)

31 2014 Kris Boyd (16 games)

29 2017 Bran Webb Jr. (13 games)

29 2007 Justin Johnson (14 games)

27 2010 Luke Turner (13 games)

27 2003 Derek McKenzie (14 games)

27 2021 Ashton Haynes (15 games)


Gilmer Senior Kicker Jose Hernandez needs 3 extra points to pass Adon Olivares’ 2009 season for 4th best in school history


90 2013 Pablin Olivares (13 games)

86 2014 Juan Esquivel (15 games)

82 2016 Adan Ibarra (15 games)

78 2009 Adon Olivares (15 games)

76 2021 Jose Hernandez (15 games)


HISTORICAL NOTES

This is Gilmer’s 108th season to play football

Gilmer has never had a winless season

Gilmer's 723 wins are the 14th most in Texas high school football history (Source: www.TexasHighSchoolFootballHistory.com)

Gilmer’s 26 seasons with 10 wins or more is tied for the 12th most in Texas high school football history (Source: www.TexasHighSchoolFootballHistory.com)

Gilmer's 38 district championships are tied for the 9th most in Texas high school football history (Source: www.TexasHighSchoolFootballHistory.com)

Gilmer has recorded 15 undefeated regular seasons, tied for 9th most in Texas high school football history (Source:www.TexasHighSchoolFootballHistory.com)  

Gilmer is 255-46 since 2000 (85%)

Gilmer Senior QB Brandon Tennison has 9,995 total offensive yards for his career. Making him one of only 3 players in school history to reach 9,000 total yards in a career


11,720 2006-2009 Darian Godfrey

9,995 2018-2021 Brandon Tennison

9,771 2016-2017 Aaron Brown   

Gilmer Senior QB Brandon Tennison has 7,734 passing yards for his career, which makes him one of only 3 players in school history to reach 7,000 passing yards in a career.


9,392 2006-2009 Darian Godfrey

8,536 2016-2017 Aaron Brown

7,998 2018-2021 Brandon Tennison

Gilmer Senior QB Brandon Tennison 77 career touchdown passes are the 2nd most in school history


116 2006-2009 Darian Godfrey

78 2018-2021 Brandon Tennison 

Gilmer Junior WR Rohan Fluellen needs 15 receptions to pass Chase Tate for most in school history


161 2011-2014 Chase Tate

147 2020-2021 Rohan Fluellen

Gilmer Junior WR Rohan Fluellen is only the 5th player in school history with 2,000 receiving yards in a career. He needs 27 receiving yards to pass his brother Dylan Fluellen for most in school history  


2,363 2018-2020 Dylan Fluellen

2,337 2020-2021 Rohan Fluellen

2,183 2004-2006 Curtis Brown

2,108 2014-2016 LaMarcus Morton

2,072 2011-2014 Chase Tate



Gilmer Junior WR Rohan Fluellen’s 18 career touchdown receptions is tied for 5th most in school history. Fluellen needs 1 touchdown reception to pass Lamar Harris for 4th most in school history


27 2018-2020 Dylan Fluellen

25 2004-2006 Curtis Brown

23 2014-2016 LaMarcus Morton

22 2005-2007 Lamar Harris

18 2004-2005 Willie Darden

18 2020-2021 Rohan Fluellen


Gilmer Junior RB Ashton Haynes 28 career rushing touchdowns is the 9th most in school history. Haynes needs 3 rushing touchdowns to pass Kelton Collier for 8th most career rushing touchdowns


60 2012-2014 Kris Boyd

55 2006-2009 Darian Godfrey                       

45 2004-2007 Justin Johnson

40 2008-2011 Luke Turner

34 2018-2019 Darrell Bush

33 2017-2018 Brannon Webb Jr.

33 2002-2003 Derek McKenzie

30 2013-2016 Kelton Collier

28 2020-2021 Ashton Haynes


Gilmer Junior RB Ashton Haynes 31 career offensive touchdowns is tied for 16th most in school history. Haynes needs 3 offensive touchdowns to pass Derek McKenzie for 12th most career offensive touchdowns


75 2012-2014 Kris Boyd

55 2006-2009 Darian Godfrey

54 2004-2007 Justin Johnson

48 2008-2011 Luke Turner

40 2017-2018 Brannon Webb Jr.

37 2013-2016 Kelton Collier

36 2018-2019 Darrell Bush

36 1981-1984 Tommy Palmer

35 2014 Blake Lynch

35 2004-2006 Curtis Brown

35 1928-1930 Rex Hudson

33 2001-2003 Derek McKenzie

31 2002-2004 Manuel Johnson

31 1970-1971 Buddy Tate

31 2013-2015 Demarco Boyd

31 2020-2021 Ashton Haynes




The 2021 Buckeyes need 4 points to pass the 2007 team for 5th most points in a season      


950 2014 16 games (2nd most in Texas history)

782 2009 15 games

724 2016 15 games

709 2013 13 games

701 2007 15 games

698 2021 15 games


The 2021 Buckeyes 46.53 points per game average is currently the 9th best in school history


59.37 2014 (5th best in Texas history)

54.54 2013

53.64 2006

52.13 2009

48.69 1930

48.27 2016

46.73 2007

46.69 2017

46.53 2021


The 2021 Buckeyes 7,202 total yards is the 5th most in school history. The 2021 team needs 100 total yards to pass the 2004 team for 4th most in school history


8,577 2014 16 games

7,900 2016 15 games

7,533 2020 16 games

7,301 2004 16 games

7,202 2021 15 games


The 2021 Buckeyes 480.1 average yards per game is currently the 7th best in school history


545.8 2013

536.1 2014

519.0 2017

526.7 2016

514.0 2006

497.5 2007

480.1 2021







The 2021 Buckeyes 3,817 passing yards is the 5th most in school history. The 2021 team needs 294 passing yards to pass the 2020 team for 4th most in school history


5,076 2016 15 games

4,703 2014 16 games

4,152 2004 16 games

4,111 2020 16 games

3,817 2021 15 games


The 2021 Buckeyes 254.5 average passing yards per game is currently the 8th best in school history


338.4 2016

315.3 2006

293.9 2014

275.3 2013

275.1 2017

259.5 2004

256.9 2020

254.5 2021


Did you know?

China Spring High School is 109 driving miles from AT&T Stadium in Arlington

Gilmer High School is 135 driving miles from AT&T Stadium in Arlington

This is Gilmer’s first back-to-back state championship game appearance

China Spring has given up 54 points in 5 playoff games (10.8 ppg) and Gilmer has scored 258 points in 5 playoff games (51.6 ppg)

Gilmer has given up 102 points in 5 playoff games (20.4 ppg) and China Spring has scored 190 points in 5 playoff games (38 ppg)

China Spring’s defense allowed a touchdown or less in 7 of its 15 games this season

Gilmer QB Brandon Tennison has 1,482 passing yards and 18 passing touchdowns in the 5 playoff games

Gilmer has had 6 former players play in the NFL; including two active NFL players, Kris Boyd and Blake Lynch who starred on the Buckeyes 2014 state championship team and now play together with the Minnesota Vikings

China Spring has had 1 former player play in the NFL; Kyle Nelson who played only his senior season at China Spring in 2005. Nelson played for San Diego in 2012 and Washington in 2013 and with San Francisco from 2014-2020

Since 2000, Gilmer is 218-12 (95%) when scoring 30 or more points in a game. When scoring less than 30 points in a game; Gilmer is 38-33 (54%)

Since 1980, the Buckeyes have lost only 15 games when scoring at least 30 points

China Spring and Gilmer have combined for 12 state championship game appearances and 4 state championships

When China Spring last made the state championship game in 2007, the Cougars’ current head coach Brian Bell was a sophomore backup quarterback at the school.

Gilmer’s 7 previous trips to the state championship game has resulted in alternating losses and wins for the Buckeyes. If history holds true; a win is next in line for Gilmer

China Spring features a father and his three sons on the Cougars squad. Father John Exline coaches the Cougars running backs and his sons Dawson Exline, Tristan Exline and Caden Exline are among China Spring’s best players. Dawson Exline, a senior, starts at Defensive End. Tristan, a junior, starts at Fullback and Caden, a sophomore, plays on both lines

China Spring will be moving up to class 4A DI for the next two seasons


China Spring and the Bell Family

China Spring head coach Brian Bell is a 2010 graduate of China Spring and starred at quarterback for the Cougars from 2008 to 2009. His brother Shawn Bell was the Cougars’ offensive coordinator in 2008 and his father Mark Bell was China Springs head coach.

As a true freshman at Sam Houston State, Bell took over as starting quarterback in the third game of 2010 and became the Bearkats’ all-time “winningest” quarterback, leading team to 39 victories in 52 starts the past three seasons. Bell finished his college career as Sam Houston’s career leader in both passing yards (8,655), passing TDs (84) and total offense (10,184)

Shawn Bell was China Spring’s quarterback from 1998 to 2001 then played at Baylor from 2002-2006. Bell re-wrote the passing records during his time as Baylor's quarterback from 2003-06, owning 28 school records at the conclusion of his career. His 5,666 career yards and 38 career TDs currently stand as the fifth most all-time.

Shawn began his coaching career in 2007 working with the wide receivers at Stony Point High School in Round Rock. Bell was offensive coordinator at China Spring for the 2008 season before moving to Clifton High School in 2009 for his first head coaching stint. From 2010 to 2015, Bell was head coach at Magnolia West High School in Magnolia, Texas. Shawn spent the 2016 season as head coach at Cedar Ridge High School, in Round Rock, Texas before joining the coaching staff at Baylor in December 2016. Shawn currently serves as quarterback coach for the Bears.

Mark Bell retired as head coach in 2018 after 21 seasons as China Spring’s head coach but remained Athletic Director; hiring Brian as head coach. Mark retired as athletic director at the end of the 2020-2021 school year.

Brian has coached the Cougars to a 35-16 record and playoff appearances each of his four seasons as head coach. 


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