Go Friday Night

Cooper vs Coronado Summary

By Andrew Silva
September 30, 2006

If you went to Friday night’s game that saw the Coogs destroy the Mustangs (you can’t even spell Mustangs?!!!) then let me just say WOW!!! The Cougars did an excellent job Friday night beating a good Lubbock Coronado team. The Cougars are peaking at the right time as they are preparing to go into a tough district schedule. The Cougar offense got it going quick and often as all night long the Mustang defense had no answer for the Cougars quick spread O. I saw a few things from the O that had previously been missing. First off, I found it much improved the way the Cougars ran the no-huddle Friday night. For the most part the offense hurried to the line and got the next play off quickly after the previous one. Unlike previous weeks, they did not take 15-20 seconds at the line getting the play in before snapping the ball. This week you noticed the quick, no-huddle kept the defense on their heels all evening and did not allow them to make personnel changes to preferred matchups. Second, we finally got to see the spread offense run the way it is supposed to be and exploit the matchups that make it a popular offense that is tough to stop. What I mean is that we saw the ball “spread” around the field with completions made short, intermediate, and deep in the middle of the field and both sidelines.
On defense, we saw the Coogs completely unleash the blitz for really the first time all year. The secondary played great all game with tight one on one coverage on the sidelines especially on the deep ball. This confidence in the one on one coverage allowed the Coogs to unleash the blitz and bring the extra backers late in the game. The Mustangs simply were not prepared for the Cougar blitz and could not block the extra defenders. However, now that the blitzes are being unveiled more, look for future opponents to have them scouted better. Therefore the Coogs still need to find a way to get pressure on the quarterback from their front four alone. There were a couple of times that the ends brought good pressure but the Coogs are still struggling with breaking down and making the tackle.
Special teams also looked improved this week with nice returns on kickoff returns and better coverage on kickoffs. The Coogs punt formation worries me some, as it seems every week our opponent is getting closer and closer to blocking one. I guess if we continue to get the 15 yard personal foul penalty for roughing the kicker, then that’s okay as long as Lil’ Swink survives.
Overall, great job by the Cougars for keeping up the intensity all night and not allowing the Mustangs back in the game. Congratulations to our Cooper boys, keep up the hard work next week as you prepare for Brownwood and then on to District and our goal of restoring the Roarrrrrrrrrr!!!

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