If the Collinsville football team were a member of District 5-3A Division I, it would already have a 3-0 record.
In nondistrict play, the Pirates defeated three members of that district — Alvord, Muenster and Tioga. Collinsville (5-0) also defeated Class 2A Division I Cooper and 3A Division II Bells.
The Pirates are off this week because of a bye. They return to action Oct. 9 when they visit Lindsay in the District 9-2A Division II opener for both teams.
“Our kids mentally just don’t quit. We have been in some battles,” Collinsville head coach Garrett Patterson said. “I don’t feel like we have had an easy game yet. But we are so resilient. It doesn’t matter the team or the score, we just play.”
Collinsville defeated Alvord, 62-35, last week, and Patterson believes the kicking game helped make a difference.
“I was really proud of our kickoff (coverage) and kickoff return teams. We made some adjustments in the week,” Patterson said. “They covered well and gave the Alvord offense a long field all night and changed the momentum of the game with the recovery on the kickoff.”
Offensively, quarterback Paxton Davidson led the way with 275 yards and five touchdowns passing to go with 113 yards and a score rushing. Chase Sheppard led the ground game with 153 yards and a touchdown, while Caysen Schafer (nine catches, 96 yards, two TDs) and Jaxon Spivey (10 catches, 93 yards, three TDs) were the top receivers.
Rylan Brown also ran for 67 yards and two scores. Last week’s win marked the third time Collinsville has scored more than 50 points and the second time the Pirates have topped 60.
On the season, Davidson has passed for 1,282 yards and 16 touchdowns to go with 518 yards and nine scores rushing. Schafer (37 catches, 396 yards, eight TDs), Sheppard (467 yards, four TDs rushing) and Spivey (46 catches, 412 yards, five TDs) are also among the Pirates’ top offensive contributors.
As the season progresses, Patterson wants to see his defensive secondary cut down on pass interference penalties. During the bye week, he also wants his team to get healthy.
“We are pretty worn down right now. Our non-district schedule was very tough,” Patterson said. “(We need to) keep working on our special teams and cleaning up things.”
