The Cooper (TX) varsity football team will play a neutral playoff game against Big Sandy (TX) today at 7 p.m. at Don Meredith Football Stadium in Mount Vernon. This game is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships, Conference 2A Division 1 tournament.

Cooper vs Big Sandy Game Info:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Cooper vs Big Sandy
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 2A D1
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Game preview: Cooper vs Big Sandy

As the 2024-2025 Texas high school football season unfolds, both Big Sandy and Cooper High School have displayed impressive performances, each finishing with an overall record of 6-4. However, their paths to this point have diverged in key areas, especially in district play and team dynamics. Here’s a detailed breakdown of these two teams and their strengths heading into the remainder of the season.

Big Sandy Bears: Resilient but Balanced

Big Sandy enters the season with an overall record of 6-4, achieving a solid 4-3 mark in district play. The team has shown consistency, particularly in offensive production, with a robust scoring average of 34.4 points per game. Big Sandy’s offense is led by Lurbryson Ross (#4), who has been outstanding in the rushing game with an average of 132.9 yards per game. Along with Kayden Smith (#2), who also leads in passing with 190.9 yards per game, Big Sandy has been able to effectively mix the pass and run, offering a versatile offensive strategy.

Defensively, Logan Brown (#1) leads the team with 14.6 tackles per game, showing his ability to be a dominant force in the defensive backfield. Big Sandy averages 56.1 tackles per game but only records 0.6 sacks per contest, indicating that while they are active defensively, they may struggle to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

The Bears are averaging 391.1 total yards per game, with 199.9 coming from rushing yards. Their balanced approach has allowed them to remain competitive in a tough district, and their performance in games like the 61-0 victory over Como-Pickton shows their offensive and defensive potential when they’re firing on all cylinders.

Cooper Pirates: Dominating District Play

Cooper High School has had a slightly better district performance, finishing with a 5-1 district record. Like Big Sandy, they’ve managed to achieve an overall 6-4 record, with both teams showing their resilience throughout the season. Cooper’s offense has been highly productive, scoring an average of 28 points per game. While not as explosive as Big Sandy’s offense, Cooper has demonstrated impressive efficiency, particularly in the first half of games, where they average 21.2 points per game (compared to Big Sandy’s 13.4 in the first half).

Adryean Finney (#2) is Cooper’s standout player, leading the team in both rushing yards (135.6 yards per game) and total yards (138.2 yards per game). His ability to move the ball, combined with quarterback John Ramos (#4), who has contributed 32.3 passing yards per game, makes Cooper’s offense one to watch. While the Pirates’ passing game isn’t as dynamic as Big Sandy’s, their ground game makes up for it, averaging 279.4 rushing yards per game.

On the defensive side, Zach Harper (#57) has been the team’s leader with 12.4 tackles per game, while Devin Dial (#52) adds a solid presence in the pass rush with 0.2 sacks per game. Cooper averages 91.6 tackles per game, showing their ability to stop the run and limit big plays.

Cooper’s impressive 56-14 victory over Como-Pickton in mid-October further demonstrates their strength, particularly in district play, where they’ve been dominant with a record of 5-1.

Head-to-Head: One Victory Each Against Common Opponents

Both teams have faced Como-Pickton, with each securing a dominant victory. Big Sandy triumphed 61-0 on September 6, while Cooper won 56-14 on October 11. This 1-0 record against a common opponent shows that both teams are capable of winning big, but it also highlights their distinct strengths and strategies when facing similar challenges.

Team Comparisons: Strengths and Weaknesses

Looking at team stats, Big Sandy excels in rushing yards, with an average of 199.9 per game, while Cooper boasts an impressive 279.4 rushing yards per game. Both teams, however, struggle in the passing game, with Big Sandy averaging 191.2 passing yards per game and Cooper managing just 32.3.

When it comes to total offense, Big Sandy holds the edge with 391.1 total yards per game, compared to Cooper’s 311.7. However, Cooper’s defense has been more consistent, as evidenced by their higher tackles per game (91.6 compared to Big Sandy’s 56.1).

In terms of special team performances and pancake blocks, Big Sandy has 15 recorded this season, demonstrating their offensive line’s ability to clear paths for running backs. Cooper, on the other hand, has not recorded any, which may indicate less dominance up front but doesn’t take away from their overall strength.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next?

Both teams are locked in tight battles within their respective districts. Big Sandy has shown a strong ability to win games at home, with a 4-1 record, while Cooper has been even more impressive on the road with a 3-2 record. As the season progresses, both teams will look to solidify their playoff positions with strong performances, focusing on consistency in both offense and defense.

For Big Sandy, the challenge will be improving their defensive line play, particularly in terms of sack production, to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Meanwhile, Cooper’s focus will likely be on further developing their passing game to complement their dominant rushing attack.

With both teams boasting solid records and strong individual performances, this season looks set to continue with high drama and fierce competition. The showdown between Big Sandy and Cooper could very well be one of the highlights of the year.