Congratulation to Highlands on the win.

 

Cooper has a number issues they need to address.

 

1. Need to be organized enough to sub when going against the quick no-huddle offense. The d-line was gassed at the end of the game partially do to lack of rotation. Coaches would send in players so late that they would almost get caught with extra on field. Happened enough they stopped subbing instead of getting them in and out as the play just finishes.

 

2. Defense is lacking attitude and an identity. Last year the Keller twins at linebacker provided this and took the good defense and made them special. Need to find that spark and attitude quick or it will be a rough year.

 

3. Hydration! Way too many players cramping. Yes there were a lot of injuries which you can't always avoid but cramping is avoidable.

 

4. Conditioning - yes Cooper did have a conditioning program in the offseason. It wasn't as strong as in years past and it showed. Still, how this game was played was the extreme case and drew issues out for the defense.

 

A lot to work on for Cooper but fixable. We need to get the injured back (8 not dressed of which 6 were linemen - and lost most of the starting linebackers in the first half). Offense looked good and will be fun to watch this year. A lot of games to go and this team can make a run, but have to fix a few things.

 

Go Cooper!

Don't forget 75, Bluebirds are playing up as well. They really should be 3A or 4A.

 

I know, just pointing out why Cooper may not be able to platoon, particularly this early in the season.

I know, just pointing out why Cooper may not be able to platoon, particularly this early in the season.

 

Yes, "early". I'm sure coach Borchers will have the Cougars there at the end.

 

Was the amount of full contact practice cut and dead period extended a little by KHSAA this year?

Yes, "early". I'm sure coach Borchers will have the Cougars there at the end.

 

Was the amount of full contact practice cut and dead period extended a little by KHSAA this year?

 

Not sure about the dead period, been several years since I had to worry about it.

 

I agree that Borchers will have them prepared as the season progresses, he's a top notch coach.

Class size is not a great correlation for 2-platoon. Tradition and # of kids in the program is much more precise. Beechwood, NCC and HHS (obviously) probably have more kids in their program than many larger schools.

 

Once you have a certain # of kids in the program with a certain level of quality, you have to decide whether and how much 2-platoon you want to do. This is determined by the difference in quality between the player forced to play 2 ways and the replacement that would take that spot if partial / full 2-platoon was instituted. The difference is reduced by the conditioning issue and by the ability of both players to focus fully / partially on 1 position during practice throughout the year.

 

Collins learned the lesson well in the 2013 State Championship. Blown out by a 2-platoon HHS the year before, they selectively implemented a partial 2-platoon and were able to take HHS in a barn-burner the next year.

Drive Efficiency (always a stat that I like to focus on)

 

HHS - 10 drives; 7 TDs; 2 punts (scored TDs on 5 straight if I remember correctly); 1 victory formation at end of game; HHS' other score was the fumble in the endzone recovered for a TD after their 2nd punt

 

Cooper - 11 drives; 6 TDs; 3 fumbles (1 for a TD and 1 at end of game at HHS 2 yd. line); 1 missed FG; 1 turnover on downs to end 1st half

Remember that Cooper is a 5A team playing up and there are plenty at that level not platooning.

 

Don't forget 75, Bluebirds are playing up as well. They really should be 3A or 4A.

 

Class size is not a great correlation for 2-platoon. Tradition and # of kids in the program is much more precise. Beechwood, NCC and HHS (obviously) probably have more kids in their program than many larger schools.

 

Once you have a certain # of kids in the program with a certain level of quality, you have to decide whether and how much 2-platoon you want to do. This is determined by the difference in quality between the player forced to play 2 ways and the replacement that would take that spot if partial / full 2-platoon was instituted. The difference is reduced by the conditioning issue and by the ability of both players to focus fully / partially on 1 position during practice throughout the year.

 

Collins learned the lesson well in the 2013 State Championship. Blown out by a 2-platoon HHS the year before, they selectively implemented a partial 2-platoon and were able to take HHS in a barn-burner the next year.

 

I really am trying to leave this "issue" behind me but no matter how we slice up the pie Cooper should not be playing 6A Football. Again this year the Jags would be a title contender in 5A but in 6A they are just another team.

 

And Highlands playing up from 4A to 5A is nothing like any team playing up from 5A to 6A. Apples and Atom Bombs.

 

With all that said, best of luck to both teams this year.

I was very impressed with the highlands o line. The blocking schemes were perfect for opening holes against a big defensive line. Plenty of room for running backs to find holes. The yards after contact was also very impressive.

A picture is worth 1000 words they say.

 

I really am trying to leave this "issue" behind me but no matter how we slice up the pie Cooper should not be playing 6A Football. Again this year the Jags would be a title contender in 5A but in 6A they are just another team.

 

And Highlands playing up from 4A to 5A is nothing like any team playing up from 5A to 6A. Apples and Atom Bombs.

 

With all that said, best of luck to both teams this year.

Saying Cooper

would be a title contender this year is a slap in the face to 5A this year.

 

Cooper lost so many players to graduation that you saw first hand last night how much they hurt because they had to play too many players both ways. Cooper has the # of players to platoon but when you have so many players who can't play yet at this level without a major drop off on the field then platooning can't be done. Bigger schools have players going both ways too I need to remind people. You can have 80 kids but if only 15 are good enough not to hurt the team in the field then you have to go with what you have.

 

Cooper ers lost to a team that so many remind everyone is the team many should model themselves after. They are the torch carriers for the state, yet even realist HHS fans would admit that wasn't a very good defensive showing either by the Bluebirds.

 

To think Cooper would be a favorite this year in 5A is stupid and is basically saying 5A has no one very good in that class this year.

 

To compare Cooper teams, I compared

last years team with 2012's as far as amount of talent. I compare this team to 2013 where there are only a handful of playmakers on the field.

What is enrollment at Cooper this year? If reclassification happened this year, would Cooper still be 5A by enrollment?

 

I am going to guess and say when this year's enrollment numbers are in, Cooper will be a 6A school by size. Yes, they could still be playing 5A based on the last reclassification numbers, but enrollment wise I think they are very close to 6A if not there. If not yet, I believe they will be 6A by size at the next reclassification.

What is enrollment at Cooper this year? If reclassification happened this year, would Cooper still be 5A by enrollment?

I have no idea. I think they would still be 5A for another year.

 

I just don't think it matters especially this year. Same as last year. I know some want to act like they know better but trust me, last year Cooper wasn't winning state in 5A and this year they ain't beating BG. If it's state titles everyone is interested in for these 2 schools, the bester bet would be HHS winning if they stayed in 4A.

I said last night that if kept his head up it would have been a great hit. He lowered his head, you could hear a good pop and see a bluebird helmet fly back. That will get called every time.

A picture is worth 1000 words they say.

 

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Personal foul for sure.

I have no idea. I think they would still be 5A for another year.

 

I just don't think it matters especially this year. Same as last year. I know some want to act like they know better but trust me, last year Cooper wasn't winning state in 5A and this year they ain't beating BG. If it's state titles everyone is interested in for these 2 schools, the bester bet would be HHS winning if they stayed in 4A.

 

And if it's State Titles is what everyone is worried about, Cooper has zero chance in 6A, and a MUCH better opportunity in 5A. Saying otherwise is simply incorrect.