Friday, September 27, 1996

Eagles hope to put end to "mini-streak"
By LANCE FLEMING
Staff Writer

It's been 15 years since the Abilene Eagles put an end to "The Streak."

Tonight they'll try to put an end to another streak, albeit a much smaller one.

Abilene High has lost to Cooper five straight years, and tonight will try to avoid a sixth straight loss when it takes on the Cougars at Shotwell Stadium in the 36th renewal of District 4-5A's most competitive cross-town rivalry.

Cooper leads the series 24-10-1 with the lead being built upon the strength of a 15-year winning streak from 1966-1980. The Cougars' most recent winning streak started in 1991 with a 7-0 win and stretches through to last year's 17-14 win over the Eagles.

But the Eagles enter tonight's game on a roll, having won their first three games for the first time since 1985, and having already won more games than in any of their previous eight years.

"The game should be fun," AHS all-purpose man Ahmad Brooks said after last week's win over Cleburne. "We know that Cooper will be a great challenge. But we also know that we can play with them."

To do that the Eagles must get a great effort from a defense that ranks third in district behind Midland Lee and Cooper. The Eagles have allowed just 234.7 yards per game, a league-low 38 points and have created eight turnovers in three games.

The Eagles' defensive effort against Cooper is just one of three key matchups in the game, along with the AHS offensive line against the Cooper defensive line and the Cooper receivers against the AHS defensive backs.

Here is an in-depth look at each of those matchups with analysis by AHS head coach Steve Warren, Cooper head coach Randy Allen and Lubbock Monterey head coach Buster Leaf, whose team lost to both teams earlier this season.

AHS offensive line vs. Cooper defensive line: The Eagles showed glimpses last year of having the kind of offensive line that can dominate a game.

This year that line has done that consistently throughout the first three games as the Eagles have racked up 603 rushing yards, 219 more than they had at this same juncture last season. The Eagles have relied on an experienced front that has three, and sometimes four, players who have started since they were sophomores.

However, Cooper has a talented and athletic defensive front, led by end Cory Aldridge. The Cougars have held their three opponents to 462 rushing yards.

"Experience-wise, we should have the advantage there," Warren said. "But I don't really know if that will help in this game. Cooper is very active along its defensive front, and we'll have to find the creases to get our backs through."

Leaf said the Eagles might be able to do that with their power.

"We felt like that Abilene High's offensive line was more physical, and that Cooper's defensive line was more of a finesse line," he said. "The key will be which one has control because Abilene High has a good back and a good quarterback."

Cooper receivers vs. AHS defensive backs: Miles Durham had a field day in last year's game, catching 10 passes for 109 yards against Abilene High's smaller defensive backs.

The 6-3, 185-pound senior could have similar success Friday night, because he hasn't gotten any smaller and the Eagles haven't grown a lot in the secondary.

"The main thing we have to have is good distribution among our receivers," Allen said. "We need a balance of yards so Abilene High can't focus on one person."

The Eagles might have to give Durham's cover man some help by rolling a safety his way, but Durham said that will only help the other players in Cooper's offense.

"I've heard a lot about double-teaming me, but that won't cut it," he said. "If they double me, that leaves (tight end) Cory Aldridge open, or (receivers) Jesse Sharp or Mark Rau open. Or it might open up the running game for Dominic Rhodes."

Warren wouldn't say how his team would cover Durham, but he knows that will be a big key to the game.

"We've got some small cornerbacks, and I'm sure they'll try to exploit that," Warren said. "Miles ripped us last year. We just have to do a better job of executing and we'll be OK."

Leaf said height advantages might not matter if the ball can't get there.

"That matchup comes down to whether or not Cooper's quarterback (Michael Anderson) is on the money," Leaf said. "Durham has the height advantage, but it's going to come down to accuracy and if he has time to throw the ball. Abilene High does a good job of getting pressure on the quarterback."

AHS defense vs. Cooper skill position players: Could this be the breakout game for Cooper's offense?

Running back Dominic Rhodes, Durham and Anderson have yet to really get untracked this season, although Rhodes ran like the back everyone expected him to be in the second half last week against Monterey.

In the past few years, Cooper's offense has killed Abilene High with the big play, be it a Mike Rose run, Zac Allen pass or Durham catch.

The Eagles will have to limit those big plays tonight.

"Cooper has the best collective group of skill people we'll face all year," Warren said. "All three wide receivers and Anderson can get it going at any time. But then if you concentrate on all those guys, Dominic will rip you. We have to do different things when they're not expecting it."

Leaf said those skill people are part of Cooper's game.

"This is a completely different matchup," he said. "It's the finesse of Cooper vs. the power football of Abilene High. Abilene is more physical while Cooper does things with great execution, and the winner will be whichever team can play its style of game. It's really an even matchup; as even as I've ever seen it."