Friday, September 4, 1998

Look for Cooper game to be rough, tough and long

By AL PICKETT

Sports Editor

Be sure to load up with plenty of food at the concession stand prior to the kickoff of the Cooper-Killeen game at Shotwell Stadium.

You will probably need some nourishment because tonight's season opener could be a long game.

"As much as we throw it and as much as they threw it in their scrimmage last week, this one could last a long time," Cooper coach Randy Allen said.

Who will be throwing the ball for the Cougars remains a mystery, however.

Dowell Loggains was penciled in as Cooper's starting quarterback prior to the season. Loggains led Cooper to four victories as a starter last year in place of the injured Brandon Stover, but Loggains, who returned to practice Monday, missed a couple of weeks of preseason work with a pulled groin muscle.

Jeremy Janssen, who filled in for Loggains in last week's scrimmage, was outstanding, throwing for 305 yards while completing 15 of 20 passes against Wichita Falls Rider.

"Dowell has practiced well this week," Allen said. "The groin seems to be back to 100 percent. We are still evaluating who will be the starter. It is a good situation, to have confidence in two quarterbacks. Both are seniors and both have been on the varsity. You have to be impressed with Jeremy's scrimmage."

In other words, Allen will not divulge who will be his starting quarterback prior to tonight's kickoff. However, he says both will play.

In the past several years, Allen said the Cougars have run the ball about 60 percent of the time, although the run-pass production has been 50-50.

Without an experienced tailback in Cooper's one-back offensive set, Allen expects the Cougars to throw the ball about 60 percent of the time this season.

No matter who is at quarterback for the Cougars, he will have a group of experienced receivers to throw to, led by Mark Rau and Adam Riddle.

Carl Bloom and Sebastian Mata will split time at tailback for Cooper.

"Our offensive line protected well and run-blocked well in the scrimmage," Allen said. "If they hold up, we can be successful running and throwing."

Killeen has traditionally been a power running team, but the Kangaroos unveiled a wide-open passing attack in last week's scrimmage with Austin Westlake. At times, the Kangaroos went without a huddle. They also occasionally lined up with no one in the backfield behind the quarterback. They will be in a shotgun formation with four wide receivers most of the time.

Killeen coach Lee Bridges was counting on James Taylor to be the Kangaroos' starting quarterback, but he moved to Louisiana in August. So John Yelder, who started five games at quarterback last season, was moved from wide receiver back to quarterback.

"We don't lose a thing at quarterback with John," Bridges said. "We hated to lose James, and this keeps John out of wide receiver. He was a real threat there. Most people don't run the option out of this formation, but we will run the option some."

Allen believes a pass rush and putting pressure on the quarterback will be a key in the game for the Cougars. Leading those efforts will be Mirs Ray, Matt Barnes, Scott Beaty, Michael Foster and Rodrick Spurlock.

"It is hard to prepare when you don't have much film on a team and they have changed offenses," Allen said. "On video, it looks like they have a lot of speed and talent. Our (inexperienced) defensive backs will be thrown into the fire. But, I guess we might as well find out early what we have to work on. I'd rather play a running team early, because Killeen's offense puts our linebackers in no-man's land a lot."

Al Pickett can be reached at 676-6772 or picketta@abinews.com.

Cooper (0-0) vs. Killeen (0-0)

-- Where: Shotwell Stadium

-- When: 7:30 p.m.

-- Radio: KYYD 1340 AM

-- Last meeting: 1974

-- Last year's records: Cooper 12-2, Killeen 6-4

-- Injuries: Cooper: OG Shaylon Garner (knee), out.

-- Scouting Killeen: Killeen lost 37 seniors to graduation, including all of its defensive line. Eighteen lettermen return, including five starters on offense and three on defense. John Yelder will operate the Kangaroos' offense, which has switched to a wide-open passing attack. At times, Killeen will run a no-huddle, no-back offense. Taylor's favorite receiver will be Steven Murphy. Key players on defense are linebackers Wesley Pierce and Chris Hurd.

-- Scouting Cooper: The Cougars will pass the ball at least 60 percent of the time this season. Dowell Loggains and Jeremy Janssen are expected to split time at quarterback, while Sebastian Mata and Carl Bloom will divide the duties at tailback. Mark Rau, the second leading returning receiver in the state in Class 5A, and Adam Riddle head up a talented receiving corps. James Jones will move from center to guard to replace the injured Shaylon Garner. Chris Almaguer will start at center.

What the coaches are saying

"Depth in the defensive line will be important in the fourth quarter. We need a pass rush. We can rotate our defensive ends and defensive tackles - where we have depth - and keep a pass rush. Putting pressure on the quarterback and not giving up big plays are the key. We need to make them throw the short pass and eventually get used to the offense. Then we can take away something late in the game."

-Cooper head coach Randy Allen

"Cooper is so balanced. They run the ball 55 percent of the time and pass 45 percent of the time. Our big concern is how our small defensive line can handle their big offensive line."

-Killeen head coach Lee Bridges