5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Cooper Jaguars (14-0) vs Bowling Green Purples (12-2)

Saturday December 7, 2024 at 8:00 pm at Kroger Field in Lexington, KY

 

We will run it back in 2024!

The only 2 teams in 5A fortunate enough to play their 15^th game of the season in 2024 were also the only 2 teams who earned the right to play 15 in 2023.  The Cooper Jaguars and the Bowling Green Purples will face each other for the second straight season in the very last game of the entire Kentucky High School football season. 

Cooper returns to the Championship Round for the third time in program history and ironically, they have faced Bowling Green all 3 times.  The Jaguars first made their 15^th game season in 2012 when they traveled to WKU and faced Bowling Green in a hard-fought game that BG was fortunate to win 34-20.  Cooper made their second run to the finals last season with a memorable road warrior push to get to Kroger Field.  They fought well and made some incredible, unguardable plays but fell in a tight game 28-14.  This year sets the stage for the third round between these two strong teams!    

Bowling Green has won 8 State Championships and is 8^th in Kentucky in all time wins at 761.  Bowling Green will return to the Championship round on back-to-back-to-back years having earned the right to play their 15^th game in 2022 but falling to a very strong Fredrick Douglass squad 28-7.  They were fortunate to defeat Cooper last year in a terrible weather game.  It will also be their 9^th trip to the Championship game in the last 14 seasons.  Impressive.

Series Information:

These two have only met twice before on the gridiron.  Again, in 2012 in the Championship game.  That Cooper team was led by QB Tyler Morris, leading rusher A.J. Collins who had over 1,600 yards on the season and leading WR Aaron Morgan who had over 700 yards on the year.  Their top defenders were Dustin Mitchell and Avery Bricking.  Bowling Green was led by QB Devin Hayes, RB Blue Tisdale and WR Nacarius Fant (now BGs WR Coach).  Defensively, Allen Gonsalves and LB Lincoln Quick were top players for the Purples Jungle D.

Then in 2023 in the State Championship game, Bowling Green took advantage of an early Cooper fumble and would score first and hold that lead throughout the game ending in a 28 to 14 Purples win.  But the contest felt tighter than that to me, as Cooper caused some Bowling Green turnovers as well, but were not as fortunate taking advantage of those turnovers.  That really was the key to that game, I think.    

Cooper Jaguars Information:

Cooper was ranked #1 in 5A in the last BGP poll of the regular season; held the #1 RPI spot in 5A earning them a much smoother road to the championship game compared to their road warrior path in 2023.   Cooper just seems to have been on cruise control all playoffs (and except for the Ryle and regular season Highland's game)) and season too really.  And since the first game of the season Cooper has outscored their opponents 644 to 215 (for an average score of 46 to 15).  That is pretty darn dominant! 

Coach Randy Borchers in his 17^th season leading the Jaguars and staff have done another tremendous job continuing to develop this 2024 team and earning another opportunity at the Championship level.  Cooper is led by a dynamic offense with 3 sure fire D1 athletes in JR Star QB Cam O’Hara who has been playing as well as anyone left playing with just north of a 66% completion percentage for over 3,000 yards, 45 TDs vs an exceptional 2 INTs on the year.  Super impressive!  Then dual D1 WRs (both Seniors and matchup nightmares) Austin Alexander and Isaiah Johnson who combined have over 90 catches on the season for nearly 1,700 yards and 32 TDs!  Wow!   

The Jaguar's defense has also played really well this season, only giving up just under 1,900 rushing yards and roughly 1,500 passing yards on the year.  Cooper is led defensively by star JR S Ryker Campbell, who leads the team with 91 tackles on the year and is a real ball hawk with 6 INTs (2 of those Pick 6s – Impressive) Also, star DE Austin Alexander has 10 sacks even though he has only played 11 games this season.  Outstanding. 

Bowling Green Information:

Bowling Green was ranked #4 in 5A in the last BGP poll of the season; held the #5 RPI spot in 5A earning them home games in Round 1 and 3, but on the road in Round #2 (at Rash Stadium vs Owensboro) and Round #4 at South vs South Warren.  Two blemishes on their schedule:  BG fell the first game of the year at the Rafferty’s Bowl at WKU vs a talented Frederick Douglass team 35-13 and fell later in October in the district regular season showdown vs South Warren 28 to 24.  

Coach Mark Spader (in his 7^th year leading the Purples) and staff have done another terrific job developing this team and earning another opportunity at the Championship level.  Bowling Green has been led all season by a high-powered offense directed by SR Star QB Deuce Bailey who has completed over 66% of his 279 passes for just under 3,000 yards and 45 TDs vs 8 INTs (not including the South Warren game).  Bailey is also an effective runner if he chooses to tuck and run.  BG has recently used JR RBs Jaxon Smith and Trey Graham who have been very effective for BG.  Smith and Graham combined with Bailey have rushed for around 1,000 yards and 12 TDs on the year.  But Bowling Green is more of a passing team this season with the standout play of several WRs led by JR Travey Barber, who has nearly 1,200 yards on the season with 22 TDs.  Outstanding!   

The Purples defensive unit has been pretty steady all season long, even though they did give up 35 points to Frederick Douglass the first game of the year and 28 points to a tough South Warren team twice.  Outside of those games, BG’s defense has controlled most teams.  And they were really tested tonight vs a very talented South Warren offense who were on the field most of the night.  Bowling Green is led on defense by JR LB Montez Trussell with a team high 100 tackles on the year and a team leading 15 sacks.  SR DT Ryan Watt and JR DE Malik Coburn have also played really well for BG as their front 7 have really improved the back half of the season and are playing as well as they have all season right now.

Game Information:

This State Championship game will again (even though I think it’s unfair to keep 5A in the #6 game slot every year) be the last game of the 2024 season and will be played at the University of Kentucky’s Kroger Field at 8 pm. 

I think Cooper has earned the right to be the favorite in this game.  They really haven’t been challenged since the first Highlands game and are playing better than most all teams left.  Bowling Green is the defending 5A State Champion but has clearly had a harder time getting back to this game than the Jaguars have.

This game will feature some of the best players 5A (and the state too for that matter) has to offer.  Check out some key stats below:

KHSAA 5A Leaders:

Passing Leaders: 

#2 Cam O’Hara – Cooper – 236 yards a game.

#3 Deuce Bailey – Bowling Green – 229 yards a game.

Receiving Leaders:

#1 Travey Barber – Bowling Green – 91 passing yards a game.

#2 Isaiah Johnson – Cooper – 84 passing yards a game.

Defensive Sacks Leaders:

#3 Montez Trussell – Bowling Green – 14 sacks on the year.

#7 Austin Alexander – Cooper – 10 sacks on the year.

KEY QUESTIONS?  Which high powered offense will be the most effective?  Which defense can make the big stops when it counts?  Which QB will have his best game of the year?  Can BG contain the D1 WRs?  Can Cooper slow down Deuce Bailey and his stable of WRs?  Going to be a really good one!  Really looking forward to it! 

Who wins this Championship Game and why?

Cooper is a buzzsaw. Give me the Jaguars 35-17

Surely you don’t want to lose to Bowling Green for the 3rd time in a state title game in as many trips.  Cooper is probably thinking why do we got to keep playing BG in the state title game.  Why couldn’t it have been SW.  You got all the pieces in place Cooper. Go take care of business. The 3rd times the charm. 

How could would it be to have 2 teams from Union (5 miles apart)  win State titles this year.  Got to make it happen. 

9 hours ago, Purple88 said:

5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Cooper Jaguars (14-0) vs Bowling Green Purples (12-2)

Saturday December 7, 2024 at 8:00 pm at Kroger Field in Lexington, KY

 

We will run it back in 2024!

The only 2 teams in 5A fortunate enough to play their 15^th game of the season in 2024 were also the only 2 teams who earned the right to play 15 in 2023.  The Cooper Jaguars and the Bowling Green Purples will face each other for the second straight season in the very last game of the entire Kentucky High School football season. 

Cooper returns to the Championship Round for the third time in program history and ironically, they have faced Bowling Green all 3 times.  The Jaguars first made their 15^th game season in 2012 when they traveled to WKU and faced Bowling Green in a hard-fought game that BG was fortunate to win 34-20.  Cooper made their second run to the finals last season with a memorable road warrior push to get to Kroger Field.  They fought well and made some incredible, unguardable plays but fell in a tight game 28-14.  This year sets the stage for the third round between these two strong teams!    

Bowling Green has won 8 State Championships and is 8^th in Kentucky in all time wins at 761.  Bowling Green will return to the Championship round on back-to-back-to-back years having earned the right to play their 15^th game in 2022 but falling to a very strong Fredrick Douglass squad 28-7.  They were fortunate to defeat Cooper last year in a terrible weather game.  It will also be their 9^th trip to the Championship game in the last 14 seasons.  Impressive.

Series Information:

These two have only met twice before on the gridiron.  Again, in 2012 in the Championship game.  That Cooper team was led by QB Tyler Morris, leading rusher A.J. Collins who had over 1,600 yards on the season and leading WR Aaron Morgan who had over 700 yards on the year.  Their top defenders were Dustin Mitchell and Avery Bricking.  Bowling Green was led by QB Devin Hayes, RB Blue Tisdale and WR Nacarius Fant (now BGs WR Coach).  Defensively, Allen Gonsalves and LB Lincoln Quick were top players for the Purples Jungle D.

Then in 2023 in the State Championship game, Bowling Green took advantage of an early Cooper fumble and would score first and hold that lead throughout the game ending in a 28 to 14 Purples win.  But the contest felt tighter than that to me, as Cooper caused some Bowling Green turnovers as well, but were not as fortunate taking advantage of those turnovers.  That really was the key to that game, I think.    

Cooper Jaguars Information:

Cooper was ranked #1 in 5A in the last BGP poll of the regular season; held the #1 RPI spot in 5A earning them a much smoother road to the championship game compared to their road warrior path in 2023.   Cooper just seems to have been on cruise control all playoffs (and except for the Ryle and regular season Highland's game)) and season too really.  And since the first game of the season Cooper has outscored their opponents 644 to 215 (for an average score of 46 to 15).  That is pretty darn dominant! 

Coach Randy Borchers in his 17^th season leading the Jaguars and staff have done another tremendous job continuing to develop this 2024 team and earning another opportunity at the Championship level.  Cooper is led by a dynamic offense with 3 sure fire D1 athletes in JR Star QB Cam O’Hara who has been playing as well as anyone left playing with just north of a 66% completion percentage for over 3,000 yards, 45 TDs vs an exceptional 2 INTs on the year.  Super impressive!  Then dual D1 WRs (both Seniors and matchup nightmares) Austin Alexander and Isaiah Johnson who combined have over 90 catches on the season for nearly 1,700 yards and 32 TDs!  Wow!   

The Jaguar's defense has also played really well this season, only giving up just under 1,900 rushing yards and roughly 1,500 passing yards on the year.  Cooper is led defensively by star JR S Ryker Campbell, who leads the team with 91 tackles on the year and is a real ball hawk with 6 INTs (2 of those Pick 6s – Impressive) Also, star DE Austin Alexander has 10 sacks even though he has only played 11 games this season.  Outstanding. 

Bowling Green Information:

Bowling Green was ranked #4 in 5A in the last BGP poll of the season; held the #5 RPI spot in 5A earning them home games in Round 1 and 3, but on the road in Round #2 (at Rash Stadium vs Owensboro) and Round #4 at South vs South Warren.  Two blemishes on their schedule:  BG fell the first game of the year at the Rafferty’s Bowl at WKU vs a talented Frederick Douglass team 35-13 and fell later in October in the district regular season showdown vs South Warren 28 to 24.  

Coach Mark Spader (in his 7^th year leading the Purples) and staff have done another terrific job developing this team and earning another opportunity at the Championship level.  Bowling Green has been led all season by a high-powered offense directed by SR Star QB Deuce Bailey who has completed over 66% of his 279 passes for just under 3,000 yards and 45 TDs vs 8 INTs (not including the South Warren game).  Bailey is also an effective runner if he chooses to tuck and run.  BG has recently used JR RBs Jaxon Smith and Trey Graham who have been very effective for BG.  Smith and Graham combined with Bailey have rushed for around 1,000 yards and 12 TDs on the year.  But Bowling Green is more of a passing team this season with the standout play of several WRs led by JR Travey Barber, who has nearly 1,200 yards on the season with 22 TDs.  Outstanding!   

The Purples defensive unit has been pretty steady all season long, even though they did give up 35 points to Frederick Douglass the first game of the year and 28 points to a tough South Warren team twice.  Outside of those games, BG’s defense has controlled most teams.  And they were really tested tonight vs a very talented South Warren offense who were on the field most of the night.  Bowling Green is led on defense by JR LB Montez Trussell with a team high 100 tackles on the year and a team leading 15 sacks.  SR DT Ryan Watt and JR DE Malik Coburn have also played really well for BG as their front 7 have really improved the back half of the season and are playing as well as they have all season right now.

Game Information:

This State Championship game will again (even though I think it’s unfair to keep 5A in the #6 game slot every year) be the last game of the 2024 season and will be played at the University of Kentucky’s Kroger Field at 8 pm. 

I think Cooper has earned the right to be the favorite in this game.  They really haven’t been challenged since the first Highlands game and are playing better than most all teams left.  Bowling Green is the defending 5A State Champion but has clearly had a harder time getting back to this game than the Jaguars have.

This game will feature some of the best players 5A (and the state too for that matter) has to offer.  Check out some key stats below:

KHSAA 5A Leaders:

Passing Leaders: 

#2 Cam O’Hara – Cooper – 236 yards a game.

#3 Deuce Bailey – Bowling Green – 229 yards a game.

Receiving Leaders:

#1 Travey Barber – Bowling Green – 91 passing yards a game.

#2 Isaiah Johnson – Cooper – 84 passing yards a game.

Defensive Sacks Leaders:

#3 Montez Trussell – Bowling Green – 14 sacks on the year.

#7 Austin Alexander – Cooper – 10 sacks on the year.

KEY QUESTIONS?  Which high powered offense will be the most effective?  Which defense can make the big stops when it counts?  Which QB will have his best game of the year?  Can BG contain the D1 WRs?  Can Cooper slow down Deuce Bailey and his stable of WRs?  Going to be a really good one!  Really looking forward to it! 

Who wins this Championship Game and why? 

OUTSTANDING overview and preview of the game @Purple88 as usual. You’re work work continues to be stellar! I’ll add that both BG and Cooper have a history in the hard court as well as both teams faced off in the 2017 Sweet 16 Championship with BG taking that contest 67-56. 

Both of these two teams have definitely won the right to “run it back” this season and I look for another great game to close out the 2024 KHSAA Football season!!

9 hours ago, Purple88 said:

5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Cooper Jaguars (14-0) vs Bowling Green Purples (12-2)

Saturday December 7, 2024 at 8:00 pm at Kroger Field in Lexington, KY

 

We will run it back in 2024!

The only 2 teams in 5A fortunate enough to play their 15^th game of the season in 2024 were also the only 2 teams who earned the right to play 15 in 2023.  The Cooper Jaguars and the Bowling Green Purples will face each other for the second straight season in the very last game of the entire Kentucky High School football season. 

Cooper returns to the Championship Round for the third time in program history and ironically, they have faced Bowling Green all 3 times.  The Jaguars first made their 15^th game season in 2012 when they traveled to WKU and faced Bowling Green in a hard-fought game that BG was fortunate to win 34-20.  Cooper made their second run to the finals last season with a memorable road warrior push to get to Kroger Field.  They fought well and made some incredible, unguardable plays but fell in a tight game 28-14.  This year sets the stage for the third round between these two strong teams!    

Bowling Green has won 8 State Championships and is 8^th in Kentucky in all time wins at 761.  Bowling Green will return to the Championship round on back-to-back-to-back years having earned the right to play their 15^th game in 2022 but falling to a very strong Fredrick Douglass squad 28-7.  They were fortunate to defeat Cooper last year in a terrible weather game.  It will also be their 9^th trip to the Championship game in the last 14 seasons.  Impressive.

Series Information:

These two have only met twice before on the gridiron.  Again, in 2012 in the Championship game.  That Cooper team was led by QB Tyler Morris, leading rusher A.J. Collins who had over 1,600 yards on the season and leading WR Aaron Morgan who had over 700 yards on the year.  Their top defenders were Dustin Mitchell and Avery Bricking.  Bowling Green was led by QB Devin Hayes, RB Blue Tisdale and WR Nacarius Fant (now BGs WR Coach).  Defensively, Allen Gonsalves and LB Lincoln Quick were top players for the Purples Jungle D.

Then in 2023 in the State Championship game, Bowling Green took advantage of an early Cooper fumble and would score first and hold that lead throughout the game ending in a 28 to 14 Purples win.  But the contest felt tighter than that to me, as Cooper caused some Bowling Green turnovers as well, but were not as fortunate taking advantage of those turnovers.  That really was the key to that game, I think.    

Cooper Jaguars Information:

Cooper was ranked #1 in 5A in the last BGP poll of the regular season; held the #1 RPI spot in 5A earning them a much smoother road to the championship game compared to their road warrior path in 2023.   Cooper just seems to have been on cruise control all playoffs (and except for the Ryle and regular season Highland's game)) and season too really.  And since the first game of the season Cooper has outscored their opponents 644 to 215 (for an average score of 46 to 15).  That is pretty darn dominant! 

Coach Randy Borchers in his 17^th season leading the Jaguars and staff have done another tremendous job continuing to develop this 2024 team and earning another opportunity at the Championship level.  Cooper is led by a dynamic offense with 3 sure fire D1 athletes in JR Star QB Cam O’Hara who has been playing as well as anyone left playing with just north of a 66% completion percentage for over 3,000 yards, 45 TDs vs an exceptional 2 INTs on the year.  Super impressive!  Then dual D1 WRs (both Seniors and matchup nightmares) Austin Alexander and Isaiah Johnson who combined have over 90 catches on the season for nearly 1,700 yards and 32 TDs!  Wow!   

The Jaguar's defense has also played really well this season, only giving up just under 1,900 rushing yards and roughly 1,500 passing yards on the year.  Cooper is led defensively by star JR S Ryker Campbell, who leads the team with 91 tackles on the year and is a real ball hawk with 6 INTs (2 of those Pick 6s – Impressive) Also, star DE Austin Alexander has 10 sacks even though he has only played 11 games this season.  Outstanding. 

Bowling Green Information:

Bowling Green was ranked #4 in 5A in the last BGP poll of the season; held the #5 RPI spot in 5A earning them home games in Round 1 and 3, but on the road in Round #2 (at Rash Stadium vs Owensboro) and Round #4 at South vs South Warren.  Two blemishes on their schedule:  BG fell the first game of the year at the Rafferty’s Bowl at WKU vs a talented Frederick Douglass team 35-13 and fell later in October in the district regular season showdown vs South Warren 28 to 24.  

Coach Mark Spader (in his 7^th year leading the Purples) and staff have done another terrific job developing this team and earning another opportunity at the Championship level.  Bowling Green has been led all season by a high-powered offense directed by SR Star QB Deuce Bailey who has completed over 66% of his 279 passes for just under 3,000 yards and 45 TDs vs 8 INTs (not including the South Warren game).  Bailey is also an effective runner if he chooses to tuck and run.  BG has recently used JR RBs Jaxon Smith and Trey Graham who have been very effective for BG.  Smith and Graham combined with Bailey have rushed for around 1,000 yards and 12 TDs on the year.  But Bowling Green is more of a passing team this season with the standout play of several WRs led by JR Travey Barber, who has nearly 1,200 yards on the season with 22 TDs.  Outstanding!   

The Purples defensive unit has been pretty steady all season long, even though they did give up 35 points to Frederick Douglass the first game of the year and 28 points to a tough South Warren team twice.  Outside of those games, BG’s defense has controlled most teams.  And they were really tested tonight vs a very talented South Warren offense who were on the field most of the night.  Bowling Green is led on defense by JR LB Montez Trussell with a team high 100 tackles on the year and a team leading 15 sacks.  SR DT Ryan Watt and JR DE Malik Coburn have also played really well for BG as their front 7 have really improved the back half of the season and are playing as well as they have all season right now.

Game Information:

This State Championship game will again (even though I think it’s unfair to keep 5A in the #6 game slot every year) be the last game of the 2024 season and will be played at the University of Kentucky’s Kroger Field at 8 pm. 

I think Cooper has earned the right to be the favorite in this game.  They really haven’t been challenged since the first Highlands game and are playing better than most all teams left.  Bowling Green is the defending 5A State Champion but has clearly had a harder time getting back to this game than the Jaguars have.

This game will feature some of the best players 5A (and the state too for that matter) has to offer.  Check out some key stats below:

KHSAA 5A Leaders:

Passing Leaders: 

#2 Cam O’Hara – Cooper – 236 yards a game.

#3 Deuce Bailey – Bowling Green – 229 yards a game.

Receiving Leaders:

#1 Travey Barber – Bowling Green – 91 passing yards a game.

#2 Isaiah Johnson – Cooper – 84 passing yards a game.

Defensive Sacks Leaders:

#3 Montez Trussell – Bowling Green – 14 sacks on the year.

#7 Austin Alexander – Cooper – 10 sacks on the year.

KEY QUESTIONS?  Which high powered offense will be the most effective?  Which defense can make the big stops when it counts?  Which QB will have his best game of the year?  Can BG contain the D1 WRs?  Can Cooper slow down Deuce Bailey and his stable of WRs?  Going to be a really good one!  Really looking forward to it! 

Who wins this Championship Game and why? 

@Purple88 Absolutely fantastic write up!

 

I’m taking the Jags and I think they win in a high scoring contest. 
 

Cooper 42 BG 35

 

Let’s go Jags! Finish the job!!

BG has not faced a QB like O'Hara. The kid is a scrambling machine. He scrambles not to rush for yards but to buy time for his playmakers. He is special and has the complimentary weapons around him. Reminds me of Frank Tarkenton, or Roger the dodger. 

8 minutes ago, Who Knew said:

BG has not faced a QB like O'Hara. 

Uh, yeah they have. The Bunton kid for South Warren is basically a Brahma bull on the loose when he scrambles and is an Eastern Michigan committed QB for a reason. Is O’Hara probably the best BG will face, sure, but don’t get it mixed up, BG has seen high caliber RB’s, WR’s, QB’s and every other position aplenty this season. 

1 hour ago, VF111 said:

Uh, yeah they have. The Bunton kid for South Warren is basically a Brahma bull on the loose when he scrambles and is an Eastern Michigan committed QB for a reason. Is O’Hara probably the best BG will face, sure, but don’t get it mixed up, BG has seen high caliber RB’s, WR’s, QB’s and every other position aplenty this season. 

Just saying this kids is special and different. He's started since his freshman year. He has been the difference maker in so many of their games. You will get to see him live. Let me know if I'm wrong or right after the game.

Just now, Who Knew said:

Just saying this kids is special and different. He's started since his freshman year. He has been the difference maker in so many of their games. You will get to see him live. Let me know if I'm wrong or right after the game.

This same Bowling Green team who returned 70-80% of their starters saw him last year in this same game. 

It rained, but BG completely shut their passing game down.  Bowling Green has been here before and won’t be starstruck like you’re insisting. It’s going to be a good game. 

5 minutes ago, BillNye said:

This same Bowling Green team who returned 70-80% of their starters saw him last year in this same game. 

It rained, but BG completely shut their passing game down.  Bowling Green has been here before and won’t be starstruck like you’re insisting. It’s going to be a good game. 

I don't think I ever stated that BG will be starstruck or intimidated. What I did intend to say is I've watched Cam for three years now. Was he the best QB his frosh or sophmore seasons? NO. He has worked at his craft and has become one of the best complete Qb's in the state. Very high IQ and decision making. Doesn't get rattled after bad plays. Never seems anything but cool calm and collected. I believe he is the diffrence. JMO.  

3 minutes ago, Who Knew said:

I don't think I ever stated that BG will be starstruck or intimidated. What I did intend to say is I've watched Cam for three years now. Was he the best QB his frosh or sophmore seasons? NO. He has worked at his craft and has become one of the best complete Qb's in the state. Very high IQ and decision making. doesn't get rattled after bad plays. Never seems anything but cool calm and collected. I believe he is the diffrence. JMO.  

Like I said, it’s going to be a good game. I would argue that I could say those same points about Deuce Bailey. I have a lot of respect for the Jags and I think as long as the weather is good there will be a lot of fireworks. Exciting times!

Great job, 88. We have grown accustomed to your commitment of research and good ole fashion hard work; great job, again this year - thank you! 
 

No question about it that Cooper has had a generational type season this year. But, as the great theologian, Lee Corso says, “Not so fast.”

I believe the Cooper coaching staff, deep down, knew they were more than capable making it back to Kroger Field and I personally believe that they knew they would be facing the Purples again this season.

BG is VERY fortunate to survive the South Warren game in week 14. I encourage anyone to go watch that game and watch the complete debacle with the clock keeper. It was unbelievable throughout the entire game. Purples still find a way!

Therefore…

The Purples are who Cooper and the rest (99%) of 5A thought the Purples were! 
 

I think it’s very fair to say that the monsoon these two teams had to play in last year (along with some costly Cooper turnovers) probably won’t happen again this year. Meaning, we’ve got a great game on our hands.

I personally don’t think Cooper has the speed and aggressiveness as South Warrens defense. At least they didn’t last season. However, Cooper does have some studs on the team that is a problem.

I don’t think there’s any question that BG has the speed advantage, which to me is always the difference maker in high school football. Of course, turnovers is the great equalizer but if the Purples win the turnover battle, their speed will get them another ring.

Purples 45

Jags 28

 

3 hours ago, bluecolonels95 said:

Surely you don’t want to lose to Bowling Green for the 3rd time in a state title game in as many trips.  Cooper is probably thinking why do we got to keep playing BG in the state title game.  Why couldn’t it have been SW.  You got all the pieces in place Cooper. Go take care of business. The 3rd times the charm. 

How could would it be to have 2 teams from Union (5 miles apart)  win State titles this year.  Got to make it happen. 

While I’m sure Cooper would have loved to see an easy opponent, there really wasn’t one to be had at that stage. So in the absence of that, I actually go the other way on the bolded. I think Cooper is probably hungry to knock off the team that got them last year. No extra motivation should be needed in a state final, but I think the chance to beat the team that denied you the previous year is probably welcome motivation anyway. 

I am sure South was motivated to knock off their crosstown rival and head to State but  everyone is motivated! The team which executes and has fewer turnovers wins the game.

1 hour ago, BillNye said:

This same Bowling Green team who returned 70-80% of their starters saw him last year in this same game. 

It rained, but BG completely shut their passing game down.  Bowling Green has been here before and won’t be starstruck like you’re insisting. It’s going to be a good game. 

While the BG defense is very good, I will say the rain definitely played a part in slowing the Cooper offense down. Hopefully no rain for this one and both great offenses can see what they can do against also great defenses.