Cooper looks to start their return march to the title game as they host Bardstown. They won last year's matchup won 35 to 14 with Cam O'Hara throwing for 5 touchdowns while going a staggering 16 of 20 for completions and amassing 315 yards passing. Austin Alexander accounted for 148 of those yards and 2 touchdowns as well as ten tackles. No doubt these two will need to be the engines again if they went to pull off that kind of victory over a Bardstown group that can't be taken lightly.

I know Bardstown is solid but I really like Cooper in this game, by a lot. 

The Tigers are primed and ready for a long trip up to Union, Kentucky for a re-match with the Jaguars.  In last years 35-14 skewering in the opener at Bardstown, the Jags sputtered early but were able to turn to their big dogs for long TD's, and got 20+ tackles from now graduated senior linebacker Jack Lonaker enroute to a state runner-up berth in 5A.  Most of those big dogs (less Lonaker) are back, including Junior QB Cam O'Hara, the state's top-rated QB and four-star recruit DE Austin Alexander.

In contrast, Bardstown is very different this year, with a new head coach, Justin Grundy, taking the helm in place of retired HC David Clark, and have graduated the school's all-time leading rusher, Ty Ty Williams, now playing on scholarship at Campbellsville.  Another significant difference from last year's game will be the Tiger passing game, which was non-existent to start the season last year and allowed Lonaker and the Jag defense to put 8-9 in the box to stop the run.  Bardstown returns QB Amonti Marshall who improved over the course of the season, but also will see reps from sophomore QB Carson Riley who has had nice showings in scrimmages against Somerset and LexCath.  Senior WR Riley Hatfield, who did not join Bardstown until he transferred from Larue County mid-point last year, is the top Tiger weapon at wideout.  In addition, the Tigers have 2 300+ lb. offensive tackles in seniors Tyler Harmon and Nate King, who lead the way for the running-back-by-committee approach now manned by Senior Kenyin Calhoun and Juniors Sevyn Hamilton and Devin Newsome.

The Tigers linebacker corps is very solid, with Newsome, Senior Kaden Stone and Senior Caden Farrell returning to lead a run defense that did a pretty decent job against the Jags last year.  Alas, the Achilles Heel for Bardstown last year was pass defense, and the scrimmages have shown that trend to be continuing. No doubt, Air O'Hara & Co. have watched those films with the glee of a fat kid eyeballing a chocolate cake.  If the Tigers do not come up with a solid plan to contain the Jaguar pass game, there will be nothing left of them but the crumbs.

5 hours ago, theguru said:

I know Bardstown is solid but I really like Cooper in this game, by a lot. 

My heart wants to argue with you like I did last season, but my head knows what my eyes have seen.

Cooper 35-21.

Cooper 42-14.

Cooper Jaguars Coaches Show Jaguars vs Bardstown Week 1.

 

Tremendous Coaches Show!  Wow!  I'm impressed.  But more impressed with how well spoken the 4 captains were.  Not hard to see why Cooper is such a fine team.

3 minutes ago, Purple88 said:

Tremendous Coaches Show!  Wow!  I'm impressed.  But more impressed with how well spoken the 4 captains were.  Not hard to see why Cooper is such a fine team.

Cooper is a "high end" school and they have a media professional running the show. 

Austin Alexander is a first class kid.  I hope he has a great season!

Cooper won the toss and will receive.  

Jags start on own 16.  

Jags drive stalls at own 35.  O’Hara’s punt downed at Bardstown 18.  9:11 1Q

Bardstown punt from own 31.  Combs returns 10 yards to Cooper 41.  Jags ball, 0-0, 6:11 1Q

O’Hara to Campbell for 29 yard pass.  Jags driving on Bardstown 18.