CAL travels to Cooper on Friday, August 8th for the first intersquad scrimmage.  Both teams are coming off of trips to the state title game in their respective classes.

For Cooper, the biggest challenge this season might be breaking in practically a whole new receiving corp for QB Cam O’Hara.  On the defensive side of the ball, Cooper does return their top three tacklers from a year ago, which was a strong point for the Jaguars last year.

For CAL, this will be the first time in the last four seasons a Hodge hasn’t been at QB, however, the two battling it out for the starting job are very formidable and should pick right up where the high scoring offense left off.  The biggest challenge for CAL appears to be replacing 3/4 of their starting secondary from last year.

I'm not sure of the format, but if its similar to last year, it’ll be an open scrimmage for the first 2-3 quarters, then controlled & situational after that.

Let us know your thoughts on what to expect?

I voted that Cooper will learn more since they lost so much on offense, but now, thinking about it, CAL has the more challenging position to replace... QB. 

I think Cooper is going to be much better than people may realize, so long as QB1 is healthy. 

I also think we all know that CAL is going to be really good... but what will their ceiling be? 

On 8/3/2025 at 3:15 PM, VF111 said:

I voted that Cooper will learn more since they lost so much on offense, but now, thinking about it, CAL has the more challenging position to replace... QB. 

I think Cooper is going to be much better than people may realize, so long as QB1 is healthy. 

I also think we all know that CAL is going to be really good... but what will their ceiling be? 

Ceiling is top 5 in the state for all classes.

Floor is top 20 in the state for all classes.  

On 8/3/2025 at 3:15 PM, VF111 said:

I voted that Cooper will learn more since they lost so much on offense, but now, thinking about it, CAL has the more challenging position to replace... QB. 

I think Cooper is going to be much better than people may realize, so long as QB1 is healthy. 

I also think we all know that CAL is going to be really good... but what will their ceiling be? 

I agree on Cooper being much better than people may expect, even with some of the talented that graduated. They will be breaking in some new pieces going against a very tough schedule this year, but still have talent there. Cooper may not have a 14 and 1 type record this year. However, IMO they still have a very good chance to be playing that 15th game again in the state championship. This scrimmage and their non district schedule, definitely will get them prepared to make a run, no matter what their win/loss record may end up being in the non district games this year. 

Scrimmage starts at 7.  The format is below:

2 full quarters of live, game scrimmage with dummy special teams.

After halftime, it will be 10 plays each on offense and defense, controlled.

After that, it will be a full JV scrimmage, but not sure how long that scrimmage will last.

55 minutes ago, Unrivaled97 said:

Scrimmage starts at 7.  The format is below:

2 full quarters of live, game scrimmage with dummy special teams.

After halftime, it will be 10 plays each on offense and defense, controlled.

After that, it will be a full JV scrimmage, but not sure how long that scrimmage will last.

KHSAA rules allow a 3 hour “scrimmage window”, no matter the format, and that includes F, JV and Varsity action. So whatever format is used, they will need to stop at 10 pm. 

8 minutes ago, MBKT said:

KHSAA rules allow a 3 hour “scrimmage window”, no matter the format, and that includes F, JV and Varsity action. So whatever format is used, they will need to stop at 10 pm. 

I appreciate the info.  I don't think they'll go the full 3 hours and let the JV finish out whatever time is left; I'm just not sure once the varsity portion if over, how much JV they'll actually do.  My guess would be a few series each and then done, so maybe about 30 minutes total or something like that.

Alright, time for the most important question related to this scrimmage….whats a good place to eat that is local to the area?  Local places only please.

2 hours ago, Unrivaled97 said:

Alright, time for the most important question related to this scrimmage….whats a good place to eat that is local to the area?  Local places only please.

Some really good Mexican restaurants, bourbon house pizza is top notch, blind squirrel has a little of everything, deweys pizza next to a brewery and graeters is a really good trio. Really depends on what you're looking for and how fat you're trying to be. Personally I prefer twin peaks on football friday. Beer is really cold and food is great. 

 

Blind squirrel would be #1 for atmosphere.

Bourbon House is great pizza and hogeys and they have pasta dishes as well. 

Lita's tacos is a solid Mexican option.

 

1 hour ago, CoachMulvi said:

Some really good Mexican restaurants, bourbon house pizza is top notch, blind squirrel has a little of everything, deweys pizza next to a brewery and graeters is a really good trio. Really depends on what you're looking for and how fat you're trying to be. Personally I prefer twin peaks on football friday. Beer is really cold and food is great. 

 

Blind squirrel would be #1 for atmosphere.

Bourbon House is great pizza and hogeys and they have pasta dishes as well. 

Lita's tacos is a solid Mexican option.

 

Appreciate the suggestions!  We actually have a Blind Squirrel in Louisville & it’s only a few miles from CAL.  Great atmosphere & they host a sand volleyball league in the spring & summer.  Bourbon House Pizza might be the choice.

Side note Cincinnati Anderson went 3-0 in their scrimmage tonight. Not sure what 3 teams where in the scrimmage. They open the season against Cooper. 

15 hours ago, Unrivaled97 said:

Alright, time for the most important question related to this scrimmage….whats a good place to eat that is local to the area?  Local places only please.

This is right off the Mount Zion exit (178mm) so it should be quick in and out before the scrimmage:

SMOKIN' THIS AND THAT BBQ
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Cooper gets ball 1st. Completes 1 pass, drive stalls. 3 and out. 

 

CAL takes punt at their 45, completes a pass for a 1st down. Gets another first down. Scores on 3rd and 7 on a streak down the right sideline. 

 

6 minutes left in 1st qtr. CAL up 7-0.

 

2 minutes ago, CoachMulvi said:

Cooper gets ball 1st. Completes 1 pass, drive stalls. 3 and out. 

 

CAL takes punt at their 45, completes a pass for a 1st down. Gets another first down. Scores on 3rd and 7 on a streak down the right sideline. 

 

6 minutes left in 1st qtr. CAL up 7-0.

 

Which QB started for CAL?

After a penalty and a sack, Cooper goes 3 and out. 

 

CAL takes over at their own 36. 

 

1st down pass is complete for 9. 

2nd down run for 15. 1st and 10 on Cooper 40. 

No gain on 1st down run. 2nd down pass good for 8. 2:42 left in 1st qtr. 3rd down run good for 1st down.

1st and 10 CAL on Cooper 27. 1st down pass down to the Cooper 8. Injury to Cooper defender. Timeout.