LUBBOCK, TX — The Lubbock-Cooper Patriots Football team received a first-hand experience at a storied, smash-mouth high school football program in their scrimmage against Bushland on Thursday night.
With the Patriots’ stadium still under construction, Lubbock-Cooper Liberty hosted Bushland out at Pirate Stadium instead on August 22. Both teams were able to line up against each other for some true “good on good” action as the start of the 2024 season rapidly approached.
Bushland was by far the toughest test for the Patriots so far early on in this program's existence. The Falcons finished with an 11-2 overall record a season ago and claimed a district championship. Bushland has a tradition of winning up north near Amarillo and proved to be an excellent opportunity for a great experience for Lubbock-Cooper Liberty on Thursday night.
On offense, Liberty struggled at times against the staunch front seven from the Falcons. Bushland liked to blitz, and coupled with their big defensive line, it caused some problems with the protection in the passing game. On defense, the Patriots had to match the fast tempo Bushland brought to the table. The Falcons ripped off a few big plays in the live quarter before Liberty made the correct adjustments.
Watch the post-game interview with Liberty Head Coach Joe Sexton below:
However, the biggest takeaway from this scrimmage was how the Patriots responded to adversity. Bushland was fast and effective on both sides of the ball. In the live quarter, Bushland marched down the field on the Falcons’ first drive to score a quick touchdown, but the Patriots did not hang their heads. They went back to the sideline, regrouped, and came back out ready to play. The Falcons second attempt on offense ended with a stop and punt.
Patriots’ Head Coach Joe Sexton echoed this sentiment in a postgame interview after the scrimmage.
“That’s exactly what we needed,” Sexton said. “We needed to play a team with a lot of physicality, and those guys definitely did not disappoint.”
On offense, Liberty punted the football away on their first drive, but came roaring back one the second to begin a march of their own. Unfortunately, the Patriots couldn’t finish that drive as an injury to one of Bushland’s defensive linemen was enough for both head coaches to agree to end the scrimmage.
“We had some really good moments,” Sexton continued. “We busted a few runs. We just have to get better at putting plays together, but we tip our hat to those guys over there tonight because they are really tough.”
Lubbock-Cooper Liberty Patriots Football
(South Plains LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
At the end of the day, the scrimmage was an excellent opportunity for Liberty to see what good teams look like heading into the Patriots' first year at the Varsity level. While Cooper-Liberty still has a lot of work to do in its inaugural season, the coaching staff is confident that the Patriots can get the job done.
“I think after tonight, this will help us down the road,” Sexton concluded. “I was really proud of the way our guys had the opportunity to get caught up in some talking and other stuff, but instead, they turned around and came back to the huddle. That’s improvement for us.”
Lubbock-Cooper Liberty kicks off the 2024 High School Football Season on the road next Friday, August 30. The Patriots travel to New Home to play a non-district game against the Leopards. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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