2 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

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. 

Agreed. It had effects on both ends, both teams had ugly turnovers and sloppy play at times. Purples D did a great job in limiting Cooper's scoring opportunities off those turnovers otherwise it may have been a different story. If no rain holds up, I am tickled to see both of these offenses going at it, guns blazing. 

This should be another great game. Going into last years game BG obviously had the advantage of being there before, while it was the first time for all the current Cooper players last year. With these players now having been there before, I think any kind of nerves that may have been there last year for some players won’t be there this year. They have worked hard all year to get back to this moment, and want to finish the deal. Similar to BG last year after they lost the Championship game the year before to FD. 
 

I know it is easy to say, but the team that plays the best in all three phases wins this game. Last year Cooper fumbled the ball twice on punt returns that led to BG touchdowns on short fields. Hopefully there is no rain this year, as I think both offenses will perform better, and will come down to who doesn’t turn the ball over. 
 

Early Prediction 

Cooper 35

Bowling Green 28

30 to 11 in favor of Cooper in the polling as I type this. I’m not sure if the Purples (defending state champs) are getting Punk’d or if BGP genuinely believes BG will lose this game. I think the O’Hara/Bailey passing yards prediction is correct though, but that’s only because the Purples run game will be able to get going. Teams don’t want Bailey to hit Barber and watch him hit his head off the goalpost all evening, but with those accommodations to who I believe to be the best player on the field other areas start to become susceptible. The four year starter in Bailey has to make sure this team comes back home with the Championship, stats don’t matter and I do believe the young man will make the right decisions to make that come to fruition. Defense of the Purples is where I think they’ll get after Cooper, a lot of team speed and if they can’t run the football and the Purples are able to let Coburn/Trussel fly off the edge in pass rush it’ll be a very long night for the Jags. I see a repeat score in this second consecutive meeting at Kroger Field. Best of luck to both teams!
 

BG - 28 Cooper - 14

BG was my pick to win 5A before the playoffs started. 
 

Cooper is very game, and from the BGP polls they are the favorite. 
 

But BG is used to this. Give me Deuce Bailey & the Purples for the win this week. 
 

BG-31

Cooper-28

I really believe this this is Cooper’s year. I believe it will be a very good game and I believe the Jaguars come out on top this time.

This game is tough to pick. Everything points to Cooper as the favorite, and they have earned it. But Bowling Green has very talented athletes as well and have been victorious in both the previous meetings. That may give them the mental edge, who knows. They have more speed, where Cooper has the size at the skill positions and it's A LOT of size. 

I could definitely see this one come down to the lines. Who would you all say has the advantage in these matchups?

BG OL/Cooper DL

Cooper OL/BG DL

I think if the game is clean whichever team wins both of these position battles will come out victorious. 

I plan on waiting a few days before making a prediction but definitely excited to watch this one.

  I would love to see a new team win sometime, but BG owns these moments.   They are going to prepare like it’s a nuclear threat.  I hope it’s competitive, but I have to go Purples.  Are the 2 WR’s back this year for Cooper?

 

Purples 35-21

49 minutes ago, Brown said:

  I would love to see a new team win sometime, but BG owns these moments.   They are going to prepare like it’s a nuclear threat.  I hope it’s competitive, but I have to go Purples.  Are the 2 WR’s back this year for Cooper?

 

Purples 35-21

Yes, Cooper returned all their skill players from offense last year. 

Honest question:

Everyone knows both of these teams have stud skill players. 
 

Can someone share QB side by side statistics and the top WR side by side statistics?

 

2 hours ago, PurpleTim said:

Honest question:

Everyone knows both of these teams have stud skill players. 
 

Can someone share QB side by side statistics and the top WR side by side statistics?

 

Neither team has posted their stats for the most recent game, but through the first 13:

 

BG - Deuce Bailey (185/279, 2978 yards, 45 TDs, 8 INTs - 50 rushes for 338 yards, 2 TDs)
Cooper - Cam O'Hara (182/275, 3349 yards, 45 TDs, 2 INTs - 47 rushes for 196 yards, 4 TDs)

BG - Trevy Barber (67 receptions, 1189 yards, 22 TDs)
Cooper - Isaiah Johnson (56 receptions, 1089 yards, 22 TDs)

Pretty doggone close. 

One thing Cooper has done much better is run the ball, as Keagan Maher alone has run for more than BG's entire team.  But I don't know that it's clear whether he'll be available for Cooper.  He missed the last game with a broken finger. 

35 minutes ago, DragonFire said:

Neither team has posted their stats for the most recent game, but through the first 13:

 

BG - Deuce Bailey (185/279, 2978 yards, 45 TDs, 8 INTs - 50 rushes for 338 yards, 2 TDs)
Cooper - Cam O'Hara (182/275, 3349 yards, 45 TDs, 2 INTs - 47 rushes for 196 yards, 4 TDs)

BG - Trevy Barber (67 receptions, 1189 yards, 22 TDs)
Cooper - Isaiah Johnson (56 receptions, 1089 yards, 22 TDs)

Pretty doggone close. 

One thing Cooper has done much better is run the ball, as Keagan Maher alone has run for more than BG's entire team.  But I don't know that it's clear whether he'll be available for Cooper.  He missed the last game with a broken finger. 

You’re awesome, Dragon! Thanks 

Bowling Green 27-26.

Obviously most people know the names Austin Alexander, Cam O’Hara, Deuce Bailey, and Trevy Barber. All are amazing players and I expect they all have great games. However, my early prediction for player of the game is Cooper WR Isaiah Johnson. I think most teams that have played against him know how good he is. Imo he is one of the top 3 WRs if not the best in the state regardless of class even though he may not be talked about as much as some others. I think this will be the game where everyone in the state knows how good he is. From a UK fan perspective, I hope they are in attendance. As I think he is a WR that could really help them out too. 
 

I am so excited for this game with so many great players on both teams. 

Cooper capitalizes this season and completes the undefeated season. Alexander and company go out as state champs.

It's officially State Championship Week!

Purples vs Jags III

It will be interesting to see how both teams maneuver around defensively to adjust for the fire power on both sides. I think it will ultimately come down to who get's off the field the most and limits big plays.

Cooper is number one in the state regardless of class according to CalPreps. I think that ranking is deserving and earned. This will most certainly be the most explosive team Bowling Green has played, at least offensively.  

I take a look at both teams resume builders this season and it gives a real glimpse of just how good this game could be, IMO.  Cooper downing Ryle, albeit the third game of the season, highlights just how complete a team they are. Combine that with their wins over Highlands and you can see that this team has set out to finish the job or go out on their sword trying. Bowling Green's signature wins are their pulping of St. Xavier in week 10 and their bounce back win over crosstown rival South Warren last Friday. Both games displayed the explosiveness this Purple bunch can tend to have. I'll say this, this is not one of BG's best defenses in recent history. They have moments where they simply do not have assignments covered and have been suspect to giving up significant plays in the run game. Other moments, they look like a sound unit who is fully capable of being another Championship defense. It begs me to ask which side of the coin will they be on come Saturday night? Cooper will have them fully scouted, and prepared to expose any vulnerable tendencies that the film shows. This is not Randy Borchers first rodeo, and the Bowling Green hurdle for him is one that I am sure he and the Jags as a whole are ready to be over. 

All in all, I expect the third rendition of this match-up to be the most competitive to date. I could see it going either way.