Big Game Prediction: China Spring at Lorena

Preview and prediction for the Week 1 Texas high school football game between China Spring and Lorena featuring North Texas QB commit Cash McCollum and Baylor WR commit Jadon Porter.

Two-time defending state champion China Spring starts the year once again as one of the favorites in 4A-Division I, but this team will look a lot different in 2023 with several three-year starters graduating.

Lorena, which stumbled in the first-round of the playoffs a year ago, could be back to its 2021 state title form with a veteran team returning to the mix led by Baylor commit WR Jadon Porter.

North Texas commit QB Cash McCollum will have much of the China Spring offense on his shoulders after graduation depleted much of the skill talent. CSHS will be able to run the ball with the return of RB Kyle Barron, who ran for nearly 1,800 yards in 2022. The defense comes into the season with plenty of question marks as well.

Lorena comes in with very few questions as the Leopards bring back an impressive 35 lettermen and 15 total starters from last year’s team. Aside from WR Porter, QB Jackson Generals is back to pilot the offense. Lorena does have a couple of questions that need answering on defense, but there’s a lot of options with experience.

Lorena hung around with China Spring on the road last year. The Leopards have a chance to upset the larger program, but the difference early on will be China Spring’s play at the QB spot and McCollum in crunch time will make a few plays to lift the Cougars.

Stepp’s Pick: China Spring by 7

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