Let's take a drive out to the suburbs in Boone County on the first Friday in September. You better give yourself enough time though, because 42 is going to be hopping as the titanic struggle between Ryle and Cooper is sure to attract a big crowd. 

Cooper comes into this matchup 2 - 0 after blowing out both Bardstown and Henry Clay. They have scored 83 points and conceded just 6. Cam O'Hara is coming off a performance at Henry Clay where he went 8 for 9 on passing attempts for 152 yards and three touchdowns, all of that happening in the first half. Jaiden Combs accounted for two of those touchdown catches while also getting a 42 yard rushing touchdown to start the scoring. Isaiah Johnson was the other receiver to catch an O'Hara touchdown pass. Austin Alexander, to no one's surprise, has anchored a Jaguar defense that has absolutely smothered the opposition. 

Ryle is also 2 - 0 with very impressive wins. Frankly, they have stunned the NKY football community, not necessarily that they have won but how much they have won by. They cruised right past Covington Catholic 30 to 14 and then absolutely decimated Conner on the road 46 to 8. Nathan Verax has found Landon Lorms for a touchdown pass both weeks. Jacob Savage has also proven himself to be a combo threat as he has dominated on the ground, scoring a rushing touchdown in both games, while also being a quality target for Verax. Add in that he as also been possibly the most involved defender on the other side of the ball and you have one of the most dynamic players in Northern Kentucky.

Last season this game was a 28 to 10 home victory for Ryle with the now graduated Logan Verax going for 156 yards passing and 102 yards rushing, contributing to 3 of the 4 touchdowns scored by the Raiders. Jacob Savage was the leading tackler. For Cooper, O'Hara threw for a touchdown and 182 yards but was also picked off by the Raider defense twice. Austin Alexander had 16 total tackles including three sacks.

Both these teams have put up points so far this season but I would be hard pressed to think either offense will have that same level of success this week. I think this is certainly closer than last year and Cooper, at home, has a legitimate chance to get the victory. They will certainly need to break a couple big plays, something they are very capable of. Ryle comes in with one of the top defenses around as well in a year of amazing defense in Northern Kentucky. The question for them will be can this offense that features some fresher faces compared to Cooper can keep clicking.

41 minutes ago, se7ens said:

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The Clash at Cooper features two excellent teams in one of the top non-district games in NKY this year. Both teams come off easy wins but Ryle has been tested once this year in the season opener vs. CovCath. Against Conner, Raiders' Jr. QB Nate Verax was 12-13 with TD passes to Jacob Savage, Landon Lorms, and Jaden Galicia. The game is a toss-up and Cooper tries to break a 9-game losing streak that started with both a regular season and playoff loss to Ryle in 2016. Give us the underdog mantle again this year. Like last year, I'll take the Raiders again. This game goes down to the wire rather than either team imploding like the Jags did in the 4Q last year in Ryle's 28-10 victory.

Ryle has been better than I expected.  The Savage kid is a complete stud but I will take Cooper in this one by a couple of scores.  Too much offense and too much Austin Alexander.  Verax will be running for his life in this one.

This is a must see game. Makes me wish this Friday was bye week for my Tigers.

Cooper by 14.

25 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

This is a must see game. Makes me wish this Friday was bye week for my Tigers.

You can watch this game on a device while you are watching our Beloved Tigers.  Free video:

https://www.meridix.com/event/252850

This may be one of the best football games statewide all season. I really don’t know who to pick. Cooper is playing amazingly, which many expected and Ryle is off to a great start too and may be better than many expected. I think it will be close for whoever wins based on what both have shown so far. If either wins more convincingly, it could be a statement to the rest of the state.

I have to take Coach Borchers and Cooper. Both teams have looked really good so far but I think this one goes the way of the Jags.

Bump.

Cooper will be the toughest defense Ryle has faced.  Look for Cooper to cruise for the win!

3 minutes ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

Cooper will be the toughest defense Ryle has faced.  Look for Cooper to cruise for the win!

It will be the same for Cooper facing the Ryle defense.  I am expecting a competitive game. 

Cooper 21-14.

Quite the juicy NoKY match-up 

 

I’m going with the Jags 

Massey ratings has this one Cooper 28-27.

Ryle can get another huge win this week. I know myself I didn’t expect to see them get a win over Cov Cath.