Archive : September 2004

September 21, 2004

The Voice of Reason

Oh, how quickly things change. One week ago, I?m grinning like an idiot writing about a 3-0 start, and now I?m scratching my head wondering what to write now. As I scratch (and ponder the amount of hair that seems to be falling out) only one phrase pops into my head? ?Remain calm.?

For all you Cooper fans (and bad guy fans alike), allow me to be the voice of reason. Remain calm. It will be alright. However, I must say that I too was freaking out when I left San Angelo Stadium. How could this team lose to an 0-2 team? Is there any hope for the season? Those were just a few of the many questions bouncing around my brain last Friday night. However, as I navigated the vast hills of Southern Taylor County on my way home, I began to see things more clearly.

What impact will the San Angelo game have on the rest of Cooper?s season? Whatever impact the Coogs want. Those young men can get down in the dumps and go downhill from here, or they can learn from their mistakes and bounce back even better than before. Now, anybody who has followed Cooper football for more than two weeks can tell you how the Coogs will probably respond. I see no reason for this year to be any different.

So what?s the best recipe for a loss like this? Well, nothing heals a loss like a win? a big win. The Coogs will face what is arguably the best district in the state of Texas in a couple of weeks. The game against Lubbock Coronado served as a springboard for a young Cooper team last year. Hopefully, it can do the same this year.

I also feel inclined to say that San Angelo Central is a good team. Those of us that saw Abilene High dominate Central, were confused Friday night because we weren?t watching the same Bobcat team. Only time will tell just how good a team they are, but I feel pretty comfortable saying that they could easily win district 2-5A. The good news for Cooper fans is that we won?t have to play them again? at least not this year.

God Bless and GO COOGS!!!

Updated Cougar rosters, stats and standings:
www.geocities.com/coopercougars

The Voice of Reason

Oh, how quickly things change. One week ago, I’m grinning like an idiot writing about a 3-0 start, and now I’m scratching my head wondering what to write now. As I scratch (and ponder the amount of hair that seems to be falling out) only one phrase pops into my head… “Remain calm.”

For all you Cooper fans (and bad guy fans alike), allow me to be the voice of reason. Remain calm. It will be alright. However, I must say that I too was freaking out when I left San Angelo Stadium. How could this team lose to an 0-2 team? Is there any hope for the season? Those were just a few of the many questions bouncing around my brain last Friday night. However, as I navigated the vast hills of Southern Taylor County on my way home, I began to see things more clearly.

What impact will the San Angelo game have on the rest of Cooper’s season? Whatever impact the Coogs want. Those young men can get down in the dumps and go downhill from here, or they can learn from their mistakes and bounce back even better than before. Now, anybody who has followed Cooper football for more than two weeks can tell you how the Coogs will probably respond. I see no reason for this year to be any different.

So what’s the best recipe for a loss like this? Well, nothing heals a loss like a win… a big win. The Coogs will face what is arguably the best district in the state of Texas in a couple of weeks. The game against Lubbock Coronado served as a springboard for a young Cooper team last year. Hopefully, it can do the same this year.

I also feel inclined to say that San Angelo Central is a good team. Those of us that saw Abilene High dominate Central, were confused Friday night because we weren’t watching the same Bobcat team. Only time will tell just how good a team they are, but I feel pretty comfortable saying that they could easily win district 2-5A. The good news for Cooper fans is that we won’t have to play them again… at least not this year.

God Bless and GO COOGS!!!

Updated Cougar rosters, stats and standings:
www.geocities.com/coopercougars

September 15, 2004

0-3 to 3-0

By Tommy Kilpatrick / Cooper Cougars Blogger

As a Cooper fan, I can?t help but be thrilled with the 3-0 start to the 2004 season? especially after the 0-3 start last year.

Of course, the case can be made that Cooper has not opened the 2004 season with the same caliber of opponents they did in 2003, but I think only time will tell just how good they are.

Mansfield Summit is believed to be one of the better Metroplex teams despite their 1-2 record so far this season. Brownwood was an 11-1 playoff team last year, but that team has been replaced with one riddled with injuries and stacked with juniors and sophomores.

Finally, Del Rio was? well? the Rams had a lot of tough kids that had to play both ways due to an amazing lack of depth.

All that being said, compare the numbers. Last year the Coogs started off 0-3, scoring just over 19 points per game while giving up over 35. This year the Coogs have started off 3-0, scoring 32 points per game but giving up just over 7 points a game.

That?s right? the defense is holding their opponents to a full 4 TDs per game less than what they gave up last season. I can?t help but be impressed with the job Coach Secord and his staff has done on that side of the ball.

Now, the Cougars prepare for their first road game of 2004? a short trip to the hostile home of the San Angelo Central Bobcats.

Most Cooper fans saw the Bobcats get dismantled by Abilene High a little over a week ago, but most Cooper fans also know to expect a tough game from Central.

San Angelo Stadium has not been friendly to Cooper in the past and I see no reason to expect a change this year. Central bounced back from their tough loss to Abilene High to give Midland High everything they wanted and then some.

Central came from behind but still lost to a very good Midland team 31-30. If I were a betting man, I would expect to see the Central team that came back against Midland? not the one that fell to Abilene High. Central may prove to be the toughest test for the Cougars so far this season.

Updated Cougar rosters, stats and standings:
www.geocities.com/coopercougars

0-3 to 3-0

By Tommy Kilpatrick / Cooper Cougars Blogger

As a Cooper fan, I can’t help but be thrilled with the 3-0 start to the 2004 season… especially after the 0-3 start last year.

Of course, the case can be made that Cooper has not opened the 2004 season with the same caliber of opponents they did in 2003, but I think only time will tell just how good they are.

Mansfield Summit is believed to be one of the better Metroplex teams despite their 1-2 record so far this season. Brownwood was an 11-1 playoff team last year, but that team has been replaced with one riddled with injuries and stacked with juniors and sophomores.

Finally, Del Rio was… well… the Rams had a lot of tough kids that had to play both ways due to an amazing lack of depth.

All that being said, compare the numbers. Last year the Coogs started off 0-3, scoring just over 19 points per game while giving up over 35. This year the Coogs have started off 3-0, scoring 32 points per game but giving up just over 7 points a game.

That’s right… the defense is holding their opponents to a full 4 TDs per game less than what they gave up last season. I can’t help but be impressed with the job Coach Secord and his staff has done on that side of the ball.

Now, the Cougars prepare for their first road game of 2004… a short trip to the hostile home of the San Angelo Central Bobcats.

Most Cooper fans saw the Bobcats get dismantled by Abilene High a little over a week ago, but most Cooper fans also know to expect a tough game from Central.

San Angelo Stadium has not been friendly to Cooper in the past and I see no reason to expect a change this year. Central bounced back from their tough loss to Abilene High to give Midland High everything they wanted and then some.

Central came from behind but still lost to a very good Midland team 31-30. If I were a betting man, I would expect to see the Central team that came back against Midland… not the one that fell to Abilene High. Central may prove to be the toughest test for the Cougars so far this season.

Updated Cougar rosters, stats and standings:
www.geocities.com/coopercougars

September 6, 2004

Football Friday Nighhh, uh ... Saturday Afternoon

Ahhh? the high school football Saturday afternoon game. I?m still not sure if I like the idea of high school football during the day.

I think you tend to lose some of the intensity that goes along with Friday night games. That being said, Saturday was a great day to be a Cougar.

Cooper completely dominated Brownwood in every area of the game. Give credit to coach Secord for breathing new life into the defense, and to coach Churchman for establishing a balanced offense.

Daniel Overall stepped up and showed that he is a threat with the deep ball. Jerry Harper stepped up in his first game and showed that a defense will need 12 men on the field just to bring him down.

It was also a big day for the defense. Andy Walton, Evan Scrivner and Rodney Lewis all stepped up with huge games. We?re only two weeks into this season, but I don?t think it is too soon to say that the Cougars are playing some pretty good football.

Speaking of good football? As a fan of the game, I can?t help but look across the railroad tracks and see that Steve Warren?s Eagles are off to a dominating start.

You also have to look south of the Mall of Abilene and see that, once again, Hugh Sandifer has the Wylie Bulldogs rolling early.

All this looking begs the question? Is there a better town for high school football in West Texas? For the past few years the city of Abilene has sent both its 5A teams to the playoffs.

That?s something no other city in West Texas has ever been able to do, and we?ve done it five years in a row. Wylie has turned themselves into a dominating playoff force, and ACHS has a couple of 6 man state championship appearances to brag about.

Of course, if your going to look at all the success within the Abilene city limits, you have to look just past them and see the Jim Ned Indians, Merkel Badgers... well, that?s another blog.

God Bless and GO COOGS!!!
Tommy K.

Updated Cougar rosters, stats and standings:
www.geocities.com/coopercougars

Football Friday Nighhh, uh ... Saturday Afternoon

Ahhh… the high school football Saturday afternoon game. I’m still not sure if I like the idea of high school football during the day.

I think you tend to lose some of the intensity that goes along with Friday night games. That being said, Saturday was a great day to be a Cougar.

Cooper completely dominated Brownwood in every area of the game. Give credit to coach Secord for breathing new life into the defense, and to coach Churchman for establishing a balanced offense.

Daniel Overall stepped up and showed that he is a threat with the deep ball. Jerry Harper stepped up in his first game and showed that a defense will need 12 men on the field just to bring him down.

It was also a big day for the defense. Andy Walton, Evan Scrivner and Rodney Lewis all stepped up with huge games. We’re only two weeks into this season, but I don’t think it is too soon to say that the Cougars are playing some pretty good football.

Speaking of good football… As a fan of the game, I can’t help but look across the railroad tracks and see that Steve Warren’s Eagles are off to a dominating start.

You also have to look south of the Mall of Abilene and see that, once again, Hugh Sandifer has the Wylie Bulldogs rolling early.

All this looking begs the question… Is there a better town for high school football in West Texas? For the past few years the city of Abilene has sent both its 5A teams to the playoffs.

That’s something no other city in West Texas has ever been able to do, and we’ve done it five years in a row. Wylie has turned themselves into a dominating playoff force, and ACHS has a couple of 6 man state championship appearances to brag about.

Of course, if your going to look at all the success within the Abilene city limits, you have to look just past them and see the Jim Ned Indians, Merkel Badgers... well, that’s another blog.

God Bless and GO COOGS!!!
Tommy K.

Updated Cougar rosters, stats and standings:
www.geocities.com/coopercougars

September 3, 2004

The Revival of a Rivalry

When you think of the legendary programs of Texas high school football, the Brownwood Lions usually find their way to the top of that list, and when you think of classic Big Country rivalries, Cooper vs. Brownwood is among the best. For the first time since 1995, those two teams will meet on the gridiron in a game that hopefully will mark the revival of a rivalry.

Despite the tradition and legend that has surrounded the Lions over the past few decades, Cooper leads the series standings with 21 wins and just 12 losses. Most of those wins coming against the legend himself, the late Coach Gordon Wood. These are no longer Coach Woods? Lions, but the desire to win and demand for excellence has not changed in Brownwood. The Lion fans are among the best in the state and expect nothing but the best from their kids.

The Lions are coming off a tough 17-7 loss to Brenham in week 0. They are also faced with numerous injuries and youth on both sides of the ball. However, in typical Brownwood fashion, you can expect the coaches, players and fans to give it their all and so should we. Shotwell should be a special place Saturday afternoon. The players are different and so are most of the coaches, but the heart of this rivalry still lives on.

God Bless and GO COOGS!!!
Tommy K.

Updated Cougar rosters, standings and stats:
www.geocities.com/coopercougars

The Revival of a Rivalry

When you think of the legendary programs of Texas high school football, the Brownwood Lions usually find their way to the top of that list, and when you think of classic Big Country rivalries, Cooper vs. Brownwood is among the best. For the first time since 1995, those two teams will meet on the gridiron in a game that hopefully will mark the revival of a rivalry.

Despite the tradition and legend that has surrounded the Lions over the past few decades, Cooper leads the series standings with 21 wins and just 12 losses. Most of those wins coming against the legend himself, the late Coach Gordon Wood. These are no longer Coach Woods’ Lions, but the desire to win and demand for excellence has not changed in Brownwood. The Lion fans are among the best in the state and expect nothing but the best from their kids.

The Lions are coming off a tough 17-7 loss to Brenham in week 0. They are also faced with numerous injuries and youth on both sides of the ball. However, in typical Brownwood fashion, you can expect the coaches, players and fans to give it their all and so should we. Shotwell should be a special place Saturday afternoon. The players are different and so are most of the coaches, but the heart of this rivalry still lives on.

God Bless and GO COOGS!!!
Tommy K.

Updated Cougar rosters, standings and stats:
www.geocities.com/coopercougars

September 1, 2004

When you play one of us...

During the Randy Allen era, when current head coach Marty Secord was an assistant, we had a saying around Cougar Country. ?When you play one of us, you play ALL of us.? Coach Secord has brought that saying back to the field house, and on October 8th, it will be demonstrated on the field of Shotwell Stadium.

A ceremony called ?Passing the Ball? is being planned as a part of the pregame festivities leading up to the first district game against Midland Lee. All former players and coaches are being invited to take part in this ceremony that will begin promptly at 6:45 pm. Signs will be made for each decade of Cougar football from the 1960?s to the 2000?s. Each former player or coach will line up behind the sign that represents the decade in which they were at Cooper. A game ball will then be passed through the decades where it will be presented to the 2004 team captains just prior to kick off.

This a special way to recognize and appreciate all those that have worn the Red and Blue in the past, as well as those that wear it today. Please, tell as many former Cougars as possible and get the word out. For more information, please check out the following site.

www.coopercougars.com/athletics/football/invitation.htm

God Bless and GO COOGS!!
Tommy K.

Updated Cougars rosters, standings and stats:
www.geocities.com/coopercougars

When you play one of us...

During the Randy Allen era, when current head coach Marty Secord was an assistant, we had a saying around Cougar Country. “When you play one of us, you play ALL of us.” Coach Secord has brought that saying back to the field house, and on October 8th, it will be demonstrated on the field of Shotwell Stadium.

A ceremony called “Passing the Ball” is being planned as a part of the pregame festivities leading up to the first district game against Midland Lee. All former players and coaches are being invited to take part in this ceremony that will begin promptly at 6:45 pm. Signs will be made for each decade of Cougar football from the 1960’s to the 2000’s. Each former player or coach will line up behind the sign that represents the decade in which they were at Cooper. A game ball will then be passed through the decades where it will be presented to the 2004 team captains just prior to kick off.

This a special way to recognize and appreciate all those that have worn the Red and Blue in the past, as well as those that wear it today. Please, tell as many former Cougars as possible and get the word out. For more information, please check out the following site.

www.coopercougars.com/athletics/football/invitation.htm

God Bless and GO COOGS!!
Tommy K.

Updated Cougars rosters, standings and stats:
www.geocities.com/coopercougars

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