Cougars and Chaps have something to prove

Game 2
7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 28
Abilene Cooper Cougars vs. Fort Worth O.D. Wyatt Chaparrals

The second game of the 2009 Action Sports Medicine Champions Classic features the first of three rematches from last year's event. Abilene Cooper entertains Fort Worth O.D. Wyatt. The Cougars won last year's game, 33-0.

Dave Campbell's Texas Football magazine believes Coach Mike Spradlin - in his fourth year - will lead his squad to more of the same this season. Cooper, ranked 19th in the state, is picked to finish second in the tough District 4-4A behind perennial powerhouse Wolfforth Frenship, which is ranked 11th this year.

The Coogs have 8 offensive and 5 defensive starters returning from a team that only lost one district game last season, finished 8-5 overall and went three deep into the state playoffs before losing to Denton Guyer, last season's Division I semifinalist.

Included in the number of key players back are all-district returnees T.C. Robinson (DB), Quincy Moore (DE) and Josh Robinson (LB). Also back to improve upon his sterling numbers from 2008 is quarterback Ryan Heslep, who finished the season with 1,894 passing yards and 12 TDs. Returning wide receiver Tommy Bowman (28-505, 5 TDs) will help add to those numbers.

Coach Zachary Criss' Wyatt Chaparrals are picked to finish seventh in the crowded 10-man District 7-4A. The good news is he has 9 starters back; the bad news is that only three of them are on defense.

The Chaps, who finished last season with a 3-7 record, will be relying on a number of players who have valuable experience, including offensive tackle Skylar Huey (275) and wide receiver Roosevelt Hooker. Others with post-season awards who are returning include all-district quarterback Dante Gentry and safety Tymajdrick Johnson.

The Champions Classic is in its fifth year and is promoted by the Sports Alliance Committee of the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is an affiliate of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, and sponsored by Action Sports Medicine and Rehab, along with Texas Chevy Dealers and WTU Retail Energy and other local sponsors.  The Sports Alliance was formed to increase the economic impact in the Abilene community through sporting events.  One goal is to raise money for scholarships awarded each year to graduating seniors from each of the local high schools.  To date, the Champions Classic has awarded $27,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors from Abilene High, Cooper High, Wylie High and Abilene Christian High schools.

2009 Featured Games

Game 1: Abilene Christian University vs. Northwest Missouri...............7:00 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 27

Game 2: Abilene Cooper vs. Fort Worth O.D. Wyatt.................................7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 28

Game 3: Abilene High vs. Fort Worth Dunbar..........................................11:00 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 29

Game 4: Jim Ned vs. Merkel.......................................................................7:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 29