Game Two: Cooper vs. Westlake

7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 3
Abilene Cooper Cougars vs. Austin Westlake Chaparrals

The second game of the 2010 Action Sports Medicine Champions Classic features a couple of playoff-seasoned teams – the Cooper Cougars, last year’s District 4-4A champion who moved back up to Class 5A’s “Little SWC,” and the Class 5A state finalist Austin Westlake Chaparrals.

Coach Mike Spradlin’s team includes 21 returning lettermen and seven starters on both offense and defense. The Cougars like to run a spread offense and 3-4 defense.
According to the Abilene Reporter-News, “All eyes will be on Clayton Nicholas this season. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound junior takes over as the Cooper Cougars’starting quarterback, replacing all-time leading passer and two-year starter Ryan Heslep.”

But elsewhere the Cougars are very experienced. Senior Khole Jackson, 5-10, 185-pounds, led the team in receiving last season with 567 yards and two touchdowns on 39 catches. He’s joined by 5-11, 175-pound senior Khaeer Sonnier (16-of-216, 2 TDs). As the ARN noted, the Coogs are solid in the backfield with returning starters Davon Riddick (124-909, 15 TDs) and Alford Cooper (118-818, 8 TDs), the team’s top two rushers in 2009. And the offensive line is led by center Matt Freeman, a three-year starter, Anthony Evans and Zach Verden.

Spradlin is also very confident in his defensive line - starting with two first-team all-district players, nose guard Joe Dillard (5-10, 245, Sr.) and defensive end Jamar Renfro (5-10, 230, Sr.). Josh Robinson (5-11, 235, Sr.), a three-year starter, is also back at inside linebacker.

The Chaparrals, coached by Darren Allman, return 35 lettermen, with six starters on each side of the ball. Chances are good the team will be as good or better than the one that came within one drive of being the Class 5A Division I champions last season.

Players on offense expected to make a name for themselves against the Cougars are wide receiver Collin Shaw (6-0, 198), who caught 46 passes for 845 yards last season, and running back Van Gramann (6-0, 176), who rushed for 1,074 yards in 2009. Defensively, be sure to watch Conor Byrne (LB, 6-0, 184) and Campbell McCrea (DB. 6-2, 187).