Cooper trying to make that one last inch

By LANCE FLEMING / Sports Writer

Randy Allen came back to Cooper in 1991 to try and revive the Cougars' fortunes on the football field.

He also came back to eventually lead the Cougars back to the state championship game and try to avenge Cooper's 20-19 loss to Austin Reagan in the 1967 Class 4A state title game.

On fourth down with time running out, Jack Mildren ran on a quarterback keeper and dove for the end zone. Ex-Cougars, as well as Abilenians who were at the game, still swear that Mildren scored on the play. How do they know? Well, apparently Mildren came up with a huge chalk mark across the middle of his jersey, signifying that at least half of his body was in the end zone.

But the officials spotted the ball approximately one inch from the goal line, and time ran out before another snap could be taken.

That one inch has haunted Allen and his ex-teammates for almost 30 years.

In fact, on Cooper's list of goals, "ONE MORE INCH!" is at the top of the board.

Well, the Cougars are one win away from playing for that one more inch.

Not since that 1967 season has an Abilene team enjoyed this much success on the football field, and this year's Cougars need only to beat Richardson Lake Highlands tonight to return to the state championship game for the first time in 30 years.

It hasn't been easy for this team.

First there was a 3-3 start and a few doubts after narrow losses to Garland, Amarillo High and Midland Lee.

But just when things seemed to be going down the tubes, the Cougars picked themselves up with the school's biggest win in almost 20 years. Cooper beat Odessa Permian, 35-21, on Oct. 18, its first win over Mojo since 1979.

That victory started the Cougars' current eight-game winning streak, and shot their confidence level through the roof.

"We really all came together in the Permian game," Cooper offensive guard Matt Royals said. "Up until then we weren't really used to each other. But from that point on we've been on a roll."

The Cougars just hope that roll lasts two more weeks.

Difficult decision

Chuck Statler, who along with David Bacon has been calling Cooper's playoff games on Sports Radio 1340 AM, will miss his first playoff game in 16 seasons Friday night because of graduation ceremonies.

No, Chuck isn't just now graduating from Breckenridge High School, but rather from Abilene Christian University with a degree in applied studies.

It's taken Chuck longer to graduate than any Cooper player has been alive.

All kidding aside, when you see Chuck, tell him congratulations. And tell him that now he has to help his wife, Sherry, support the family.

Cooper pick

If you haven't seen Lake Highlands quarterback Davaren Hightower and you're going to the game tonight, you're in for a treat. He's one of the most exciting players in the state and can score from anywhere on the field.

Fortunately for the Cougars, they have a player just like him in Dominic Rhodes. And over the last month has there been a better running back in the state than Rhodes?

Both defenses had to reload, starting over with 10 new starters each. Both have jelled quite nicely, and both are big, strong and fast.

Almost everyone around the state expects Lake Highlands to win this one, but at the risk of sounding like a homer, I'll stick with the Cougars. I think their offensive diversity could be the difference. ... Cooper 36, Lake Highlands 30.

Last week: 1 right, 0 wrong (1.000 percentage). Season: 40 right, 13 wrong (.755 percentage).