After a week of practice since the scrimmage, I am feeling more and more confident about Cooper's chances.

I believe their offense will be too much for Ryle and this will be a great game. If Cooper can handle the big guys on Ryle's O-Line they deffinatly have the defense to stop Ryle.

 

I take Ryle 27 x Cooper 14

This game is intriguing to me. Can't really pick a winner, but I think it will be a close contest. This will be a good barometer for both teams to find out where they are and what they need to work on early in the season. May both teams come away injury free.

Ryle in a close one.

Ryle will probably be the same team trying to run the ball every play.

I was dismayed to see Cooper get the "above the fold" coverage in the Recorder this week. After receiving so much hype in that paper for the pre-/early season last year, Ryle performed pretty miserably. Cooper, who garnered almost no press until the play-offs (and after the losses to Conner and Bowling Green) had such a great season. It's the Boone Co. version of the Madden curse.

 

I can't wait for kick-off and fully expect to be leaving the game with a "W" for the Jags. Our defense may not be what it was last year, but we have weapons on the other side of the ball and on special teams that are going to make the difference in this game. Ludwig out-gunning and Morgan out-running. Remember last year's opening drive? Oh, yeah, there wasn't one...and that kid is still here...I'm just sayin'.

I will be pulling for the Jag's and I don't know much about their overall team this year but it didn't sound very good from the Dixie scrimmage. I don't think some people realize what talent they lost from last year. I hope I'm wrong but I have a feeling it may be a long season if the Dixie scrimmage is any indication. The most important part of a team is line play and the QB and the Jag's will have a huge difficulty replacing last years players at those positions.

 

I hope to make it out tonight to cheer them on and hope they prove me wrong.

Best wishes to the Raiders. They look much improved over last year. Should be a close game that could go either way. If it is not close, I have a feeling it will be a good night in South Union!

I'm using this game as a great barometer for Cooper this year.

 

If Cooper wins big = another great season of 7+ wins.

 

If cooper wins a close one = 5-6 wins

 

If Ryle wins = Long season of possibly only 4 or fewer wins.

 

The key for Cooper will be the line play, particularly defensive line.

 

Going against a huge Ryle line Coopers defense has to be swarming to the ball or Ryle will run over them.

Gotta think Morgan will make plays if they can get him the ball. That will then open it up for Flessinger.

I would use Morgan several times a game out of the Wildcat formation. It guarantees touches and Cooper needs at least 10 per game for Morgan.