Unbreakable Football

Welcome back to 3-5A Cooper Cougars! The phrase "under-dogs" have been used against this team before the season even began. Many shuffled the thought of 'them' being anything more than just another useless team. Old fans remained hidden in the shadows and would not speak of such a team being anything like that other team over there. 

   The first Friday night football game, many sat in the stands unsure of what type of team they would be cheering on this year. Then there were those avid fans who had shown up in their red and blue glory. The first team to play, Wichita Falls Rider. A tough 4A team. The first quarter was a draw back as we watched the first quarter end with WF Rider leading the game. By the end of the second quarter, Cooper was able to score only one touchdown. This still left some worry to many of the seated fans. It wasn't until the fourth quarter where we see some real action from the Cougars. The shared touchdowns between Alford Cooper and Davon Riddick gave the Cougars the lead and win over WF Rider 40 to 21. Way to go Cougars!

    The second week, Cooper Cougars were set to face Austin Westlake. A little bit more of a fan base, just still some speculating whether the Cougars can pull off this win. As many pack in at Shotwell Stadium, more red and blue can be seen. Is there a shift coming on here? In the first quarter, we watched Davon Riddick and Khole Jackson share in touchdown scores. Making the first quarter 14 to 0 Cooper. The fans became nervous during the second quarter as we watched Austin Westlake score two touchdowns and tying up the score 14 to 14. As halftime ended, we cheered on the Cougars as they re-entered the field. "We can do this Cougars! Keep the faith!" is all I kept yelling out. Then the red and blue fell silent as we watched Westlake score and celebrate. The hype returns with a touchdown score from Davon Riddick. At the end of the third quarter, the score was tied at 21. The fourth quarter was the battle zone. Either you do or you do not! Watching Westlake put up 10 points on the board was nerve-wrecking for Cougar fans, but to see the Cougars turn their fourth quarter score adding 14 points gave more fans the sense of belief! The game ended with Cooper 35 Westlake 31.We can do this! Let's go Cougars! 

    Off to San Angelo we went! My loaded down car following! All painted up in awesome red and blue! Can we make this 3-0? Can the Cougars stay on top of the game? This is the road trip where my son introduced me to a song he said fits the Cooper Cougars to a tee, "I'm Not Afraid" by Eminem. As I drove down Hwy 277, I listened to this song and I thought of all of the people out there who have little, if any, hope for the Cougars. I thought about friends of mine, who went to AHS by the way, and how they began the season with saying things like "we will slam that door on you again and again" or "we will see in October when we beat you again! We are kings of A-town, not the Cougars!" Anyway, back to the music. The song starts out “I’m not afraid to take a stand. Everybody come take my hand. We’ll walk this world together, through the storm, whatever weather cold or warm….” Further in the music you hear more phrases that begin to click and make perfect sense when comparing with the Cougars. This song has become the song we listen to on the way to any Cougar football game (Varsity and JV). We arrived to this awesome stadium and all I could say was “WOW!” This game is an example to show how different Mike Spradlin’s coaching efforts are different from 'other' coaches. By halftime, the Cooper Cougars were leading 42 to 14. The Cougars had only ran 25 plays in the first half of the game! The difference I spoke of with Spradlin was during the second half of this game. Why the difference? Because Spradlin welcomed his second string to play a good portion of the second half. He is more concerned with giving all of the team a chance to play, than he is blowing out the opponents they play. Cougars go on to win 55 to 21! Go Cougars! We are on our way!

     The fourth week, the Cougars faced Lubbock High in Lubbock. I was not able to attend this game, you can bet I sat at Shotwell Stadium in all my Cooper glory watching the Abilene High v Plant (Florida) game. (My nephew attends Plant) I was loud and proud to cheer on Plant - on the AHS side. I did not know we were able to sit on the Plant side during the game, until I spoke with a Plant parent (who by the way I had to apologize to for the rudeness they received from AHS students). Due to lightning around Lowrey Field, the game was called at halftime. The Cougars started out slow, but I was told they played the remainder of the first have very strong. I should say so with the score being 43 to 0 at the half! Keep ‘em coming Cougars!

     The Cooper cougars also went on to beat Lubbock Coronado in the fifth week of the 2010 football season. Look at the stadium now! Look at all the red and blue! Such sweet memories to see the fans back in action again. Cheering on our team, THE Cooper Cougars. The finally non-district game was a blow-out for the first three quarters. It was not until the fourth quarter where Coronado was able to put 21 points on the board. Again, this is due to Coach Spradlin allowing other players a shot at showing what they can do. Another great win for the Cooper Cougars! 56 to 21! We are WELL on our way! 5-0 Undefeated!

     And so it begins…