2026 Jags will look to replace some pretty substantial pieces of their team from the 2025 version. Key returning players include WR/LB Corey Freihofer, OL/DL Carson Clark, and OL/DL Scotty Lozier. Departing are 22 seniors which include the all-time leading passer and all time leading rusher for the program as well as some very talented offensive and defensive players that helped lead the way for the Jags in these last three seasons. 

I have not seen an updated schedule for the 2026 season. Last I heard, Anderson was dropped off the schedule creating an opening for week 1. 

Obviously when you lose a record setting QB and possibly the best QB in the state, a school record setting RB, and some other very talented players. You are going to experience a little bit of a drop, that is natural.

They did have some key juniors and sophomores who got some good experience last year and a solid freshman team. So while they may be in the rebuilding phase. They do have some players to work with, and the best coach in the district, and one of the top coaches in general in NKY and the state in Randy Borchers. So I still think they are the favorites to win the district this year even in a rebuilding year. The games in the district just may be a little bit more competitive now than they have been recently. 

5 hours ago, CoachMulvi said:

2026 Jags will look to replace some pretty substantial pieces of their team from the 2025 version. Key returning players include WR/LB Corey Freihofer, OL/DL Carson Clark, and OL/DL Scotty Lozier. Departing are 22 seniors which include the all-time leading passer and all time leading rusher for the program as well as some very talented offensive and defensive players that helped lead the way for the Jags in these last three seasons. 

I have not seen an updated schedule for the 2026 season. Last I heard, Anderson was dropped off the schedule creating an opening for week 1. 

Looks like Cooper is traveling to Western Kentucky to play the new Christian County Tigers in week 1 this August. 

3 minutes ago, WKY_Football said:

Looks like Cooper is traveling to Western Kentucky to play the new Christian County Tigers in week 1 this August. 

Love it!

Cooper will, obviously, take a little bit of a "step back" this season and that is not a knock on the program at all. It is just the reality when you lose the school's all time leading QB and RB, an all-star WR/DB, along with 20 other seniors that were very influential in the teams success. They definitely have some nice pieces in place with Clarke, Lozier, Freihoffer, and others and will probably still be the favorite to win the district but I don't think they will breeze through their district like they have in the last few years.

Coach Borchers is one of the best coaches around and what he has built out off Longbranch Road is a consistent, winning program year in and out.

On 1/20/2026 at 3:00 PM, CoachMulvi said:

I have not seen an updated schedule for the 2026 season. Last I heard, Anderson was dropped off the schedule creating an opening for week 1. 

On 1/20/2026 at 8:37 PM, WKY_Football said:

Looks like Cooper is traveling to Western Kentucky to play the new Christian County Tigers in week 1 this August. 

The Cooper Athletics website is still showing Anderson (OH) as their Week 1 opponent, but assuming the change has been finalized (as indicated with the release of the inaugural football schedule for the consolidated Christian County football team) here is Cooper's 2026 schedule:

Aug 21 at Christian County
Aug 28 at Highlands
Sep 4 vs. Ryle
Sep 11 at Campbell County
Sep 18 at Manual
Sep 25 at Conner (District)
Oct 2 vs. Dixie Heights (District)
Oct 9 - BYE
Oct 16 vs. Scott (District)
Oct 23 at Boone County (District)
Oct 30 vs. Simon Kenton

Bump.

On 1/22/2026 at 8:18 AM, AvidSportsJunkie856 said:

Cooper will, obviously, take a little bit of a "step back" this season and that is not a knock on the program at all. It is just the reality when you lose the school's all time leading QB and RB, an all-star WR/DB, along with 20 other seniors that were very influential in the teams success. They definitely have some nice pieces in place with Clarke, Lozier, Freihoffer, and others and will probably still be the favorite to win the district but I don't think they will breeze through their district like they have in the last few years.

Coach Borchers is one of the best coaches around and what he has built out off Longbranch Road is a consistent, winning program year in and out.

Little bit?

On 4/7/2026 at 6:13 PM, Three Blind Mice said:

Little bit?

Are you expecting a drastic fall off? I know they've lost a few key players along with their talented senior class from last year. They lost a returning starting OL to Beechwood and a talented freshman RB to Conner. I still think they will have a good team this season. 
Coach Borchers is one of the best in the business and will get them going. 

Cooper will be fine. As others have pointed out, Borchers has been there, had to go back to the drawing board, and then gotten back there. Dude and his staff can coach, and the talent pool in Boone Co. is deep. 

Now, will they ever have another dad with the Facebook-rant talent that they had in 2024? I don't think so. Dude was a one-in-a-generation ranter. 

I’d say the news today sure changes the outlook for the Jags this season. Coach Borchers has resigned. 

 

1 hour ago, PawPrints said:

I’d say the news today sure changes the outlook for the Jags this season. Coach Borchers has resigned. 

In what way(s)?

5 minutes ago, theguru said:

In what way(s)?

I would say when you lose one of the best coaches in NKY, who literally built that program from the ground up. That it would have an impact, as you knew he would get the most out of his teams. We shall see what happens next with the Cooper program, and who they hire, as they will have big shoes to fill.