Friday, November 13, 1998

Cougars hope to keep playoff tradition alive

By JEFF WALKER

Staff Writer

LUBBOCK - Tradition dictates that football teams from District 4-5A have dominated teams from District 3-5A in the playoffs. Cooper is hoping the tradition continues.

Since 1964 teams from District 4-5A have compiled a playoff record of 42-7-2 against teams from District 3-5A. One thing to note, however, is that Amarillo High, the Cougars' opponent tonight at Jones Stadium, has won five of those seven playoff games.

"They have nine returning starters on defense and seven on offense," Cooper head coach Randy Allen said. "We played them last year and they beat us pretty good. They have a tough defense and they are rich in tradition and they execute on offense."

The Sandies defeated Cooper in non-district play last year, 20-3. In fact, Amarillo has beaten the Cougars in three of the four matchups since Allen has been coaching at Cooper.

The teams first played in 1992 and Amarillo edged the Cougars, 20-17, in the playoffs. The two teams played twice in '96, with each team winning once. The Sandies won the non-district contest 31-28, but Cooper came back in the playoffs and knocked off the Sandies, 20-14.

"I don't think we have an advantage," Amarillo head coach Larry Dippel said when asked of his team's 3-1 record against Cooper.

"Right now both teams are 0-0. I don't think the past gives us an advantage or them an advantage. We've got a good team and they've got a good team."

The Cougars have overcome adversity all season. If it hasn't been an injury it has been ineligibility. Despite the obstacles, Cooper managed to knock off two teams that were ranked in the state poll, and finished the season as tri-champions with Midland Lee and Odessa Permian.

"We've had so many changes in our lineup this season, I don't have to tell our guys anything," Allen said of the Cougars latest setback, losing wide receiver Adam Riddle to a broken collarbone.

"When a starter goes down it's like the front line in a battle, someone has to pick up a gun and go forward. It's like we tag someone on the shoulder and say 'you're it.' That person has to fill in the position and take up the slack."

Luke Harrison will step into Riddle's role at wide receiver and Casey Fields has been inserted into the starting lineup in Harrison's spot. Dippel said despite the loss, the Cougars' offense is still potent.

"I think Cooper is so explosive on offense, we have to try and not allow the big play," Dippel said. "Time and time again they've been able to do that this year and we've got to try and prevent that from happening."

The Sandies have been led offensively by running back Johnny Johnson, who has rushed for 940 yards on 128 carries. When Amarillo isn't running the football, quarterback Travis Jones has done a good job finding receivers. He's completed 61 of 134 passes for 825 yards. He's thrown eight touchdowns and six interceptions.

"They run a wing-T and drop back pass, they run a trap, a sweep and waggle," Allen said. "Their coaches have been there forever, they've got experience and have been together for a long time. The kids believe in their system, they've been running it from junior high on up. They are successful in their conference and they play Permian every year, which is a good gauge for us to see how they play against Permian."

Amarillo didn't fair any better than Cooper when facing the Panthers. While Cooper lost 28-25 at Ratliff Stadium, the Sandies suffered a 25-13 setback.

But statistics and prior meetings can be thrown out because this is a playoff game, according to Dippel.

"I think it's going to be the way it always is in the playoffs," he said. "The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win the ballgame. For us to come out on top we're going to have to play a near-perfect game to beat Cooper."

Jeff Walker can be reached at 676-6711 or sports@abinews.com.

Cooper (5-4) vs. Amarillo High (7-3)

- What: Class 5A Division II bi-district playoff

- When: 7:30 p.m.

- Where: Jones Stadium, Lubbock

- Directions: Take Highway 84 to Lubbock. Cross under Loop 289 and go to Interstate 27. Take Interstate 27 North to 4th Street. Turn left and take 4th Street to Jones Stadium.

- Radio: KYYD 1340 AM

- Last week's scores: Cooper 41, Abilene High 14; Amarillo Tascosa 21, Amarillo High 16

- Series: Amarillo has won three of the last four meetings, including a 20-3 victory over the Cougars last season in non-district action.

- Injuries: Cooper: WR Adam Riddle (collarbone), out; LB Somdy Vorasane (knee), out; LB Paul Mock (knee), out; RB Carl Bloom (shoulder), probable. Amarillo: FB Michael McGruder (knee), doubtful; TE Chris Rasor (fibula), out.

n Scouting Cooper: The Cougars suffered a big blow when wide receiver Adam Riddle went out of last week's victory with a broken collarbone. Riddle finished second in the district in receiving with 34 receptions for 729 yards. Luke Harrison will move over to Riddle's receiver spot and Casey Fields will get his first start of the season in Harrison's spot. The Cougars will need to run the ball effectively, and Harrison will need to continue putting up numbers that he has all season. Harrison was fifth in receiving with 23 catches for 353 yards.

n Scouting Amarillo: The Sandies are coming off a disappointing loss to Amarillo Tascosa in the district finale. It was the only district victory of the season for the Rebels. On top of losing the ballgame, Amarillo lost tight end Chris Rasor to a broken fibula and probably lost starting fullback Michael McGruder to a knee injury. The Sandies have been paced by the running of tailback Johnny Johnson, who has amassed 940 yards on 148 carries. Amarillo, however, is led by its defense, with safety Brent Ringo leading the team with 94 tackles.

What the coaches are saying

"I don't think we have an advantage. Right now both teams are 0-0. I don't think the past gives us an advantage or them an advantage. We've got a good team and they've got a good team."

-Amarillo High head coach Larry Dippel

"They have the same type of team year in and year out. It just seems like the names change on the uniforms but everything else remains the same."

-Cooper head coach Randy Allen