Best public school program in state wins - Birds.  I really think they are the best overall program in the state because of the ease of Trinity fielding a massive team year after year.  Highlands at home, correct?’

Birds 40-32

 

 

2 minutes ago, Brown said:

Best public school program in state wins - Birds.  I really think they are the best overall program in the state because of the ease of Trinity fielding a massive team year after year.  Highlands at home, correct?’

Birds 40-32

 

 

Incorrect, game is at Cooper since they have the #1 RPI rating in 5A.

18 minutes ago, FrankNicodemus said:

Incorrect, game is at Cooper since they have the #1 RPI rating in 5A.

OK - still taking Highlands in the upset.

The difference in the first game which Cooper won by 3 was the opening kickoff which the Jags returned for a TD and a 7 point lead which took about 10 seconds off the clock.  The rest of the game was as close to even as one can get; without that opening return it would have been a 4 point game the other way.  If Highlands wins some would call it an upset but not me.  Go Birds!

7 minutes ago, Bluebird said:

The difference in the first game which Cooper won by 3 was the opening kickoff which the Jags returned for a TD and a 7 point lead which took about 10 seconds off the clock.  The rest of the game was as close to even as one can get; without that opening return it would have been a 4 point game the other way.  If Highlands wins some would call it an upset but not me.  Go Birds!

That kickoff was a very important play but not the difference in the game IMO.  I see you've forgotten the play just before halftime when the Cooper rb is heading to endzone from about a 70 yard run and the HHS player shows great hustle to knock the ball out of the Jags rb arm at the goal line which went through the endzone giving HHS the ball at the 20 yard line.  The Jags secure that touchdown and Cooper goes up by 14 at half if memory severes me correctly. Prior to that, Cooper was driving for another score and O'Hara throws an interception when he should have just taken a sack.  

That game could be rationalized however you want to but the bottom line is this, throw the previous games out the window.  This will be a battle between 2 very good teams who are fighting to get to the championship.

Cooper 35-28.

1 hour ago, Bluebird said:

The difference in the first game which Cooper won by 3 was the opening kickoff which the Jags returned for a TD and a 7 point lead which took about 10 seconds off the clock.  The rest of the game was as close to even as one can get; without that opening return it would have been a 4 point game the other way.  If Highlands wins some would call it an upset but not me.  Go Birds!

If we're gonna play the what if game, we can go ahead and include the two turnovers Cooper had inside the 5 yardline and count those as touchdowns and the Jags win going away. 

I believe the factors that might give Highlands a bump in this one is the evolution of Highlands offense over the course of the season.

1 - TE Lorenzen has emerged and developed as a first down machine running and receiving.

2 - QB Rio Litmer has improved a ton and is playing with confidence.

Looking forward to see how it unfolds.

POLL UPDATE (as of 2:43pm 11/25):

It literally is only Monday and we have just eclipsed 100 total votes on this game:

Cooper = 61 votes

Highlands = 40 votes

In comparison to the regular season match there was a total of only 87 votes casted:

Cooper = 51 votes

Highlands = 36 votes

41 minutes ago, El Diablo said:

I believe the factors that might give Highlands a bump in this one is the evolution of Highlands offense over the course of the season.

1 - TE Lorenzen has emerged and developed as a first down machine running and receiving.

2 - QB Rio Litmer has improved a ton and is playing with confidence.

Looking forward to see how it unfolds.

Good points, but that also works both ways imo. Since the first time they played, the new linebackers for Cooper this year now have more experience, and same with the offensive line for Cooper. Not to mention the weather actually probably favored Highlands in the first game with the rain. You would have thought the rain and the big Oline would have gave Highlands an advantage in the first game, and Cooper still won. 
 

At the end of the day both teams are great teams and two of the best in the state regardless of class IMO. Both teams are now even better versions of themselves than they were a few weeks ago when they played. It should be a fun one Friday night. I’m keeping with my Cooper wins 35 to 24 prediction. 

4 minutes ago, FrankNicodemus said:

POLL UPDATE (as of 2:43pm 11/25):

It literally is only Monday and we have just eclipsed 100 total votes on this game:

Cooper = 61 votes

Highlands = 40 votes

In comparison to the regular season match there was a total of only 87 votes casted:

Cooper = 51 votes

Highlands = 36 votes

This is a State Championship type of game with these two great teams. It will be a fun one for sure!
 

Whats capacity at Cooper?

1 hour ago, futurecoach said:

Good points, but that also works both ways imo. Since the first time they played, the new linebackers for Cooper this year now have more experience, and same with the offensive line for Cooper. Not to mention the weather actually probably favored Highlands in the first game with the rain. You would have thought the rain and the big Oline would have gave Highlands an advantage in the first game, and Cooper still won. 
 

At the end of the day both teams are great teams and two of the best in the state regardless of class IMO. Both teams are now even better versions of themselves than they were a few weeks ago when they played. It should be a fun one Friday night. I’m keeping with my Cooper wins 35 to 24 prediction. 

I am sure Cooper has improved as well. But I can tell you this, Rio and Lorenzen have developed their relationship and if it is hitting on Friday it will be a difference in the game.

Also as a one time Highlands player and a long time Highlands fan, rain has NEVER helped Highlands. Rain only helps 1994 Boone Co. 

Home Field is too big an advantage for Cooper in this one. Jags win 31-21

7 hours ago, Brown said:

Best public school program in state wins - Birds.  I really think they are the best overall program in the state because of the ease of Trinity fielding a massive team year after year.  Highlands at home, correct?’

Birds 40-32

 

 

Don't tell Boyle County that lol.