LUBBOCK, TX — The Lubbock-Cooper Pirates hosted the Odessa High Bronchos for the first scrimmage of the 2024 High School Football season on Friday, August 16. Both squads shook off the rust and played to their hearts' content on a hot night in Lubbock.
The Pirates looked crisp and clean on offense throughout the majority of the scrimmage. When each turn was in the practice period, the Pirates drove down the field through a healthy mix of strong runs and crisp passes to get into the end zone several times.
On defense, Lubbock-Cooper’s defensive front seven dominated the line of scrimmage. Odessa High moved the ball well, but the Bronchos quarterback remained under pressure throughout the scrimmage.
Lubbock-Cooper's first scrimmage of 2024 against Odessa High
(South Plains LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
“We were really looking for some execution and how hard we play,” Pirates Head Coach Chip Darden said after the scrimmage. “We wanted to play hard and do it the right way. I don’t think we had any dead ball personal foul penalties and things like that, so I think we got better.”
In the live quarter at the end of the scrimmage, both teams received the chance to take home bragging rights. Odessa High began with the ball, but the stingy Pirates’ defense quickly forced a punt. Lubbock-Cooper’s offense took over and immediately went to work. Quarterback Ryan Rodriguez hit several open receivers as the Pirates pushed steadily toward the end zone. After a tough run pushed the Pirates inside the 10-yard line, Rodriguez found an open receiver for the touchdown.
“We have a ways to go,” Darden continued. “But overall, we are very pleased.”
South Plains LIVE!’s Ryan Chadwick caught up with Rodriguez after the scrimmage to discuss his and his team’s overall performance. Watch that interview below:
Odessa High squared up on defense after that, forcing a punt from the Pirates the next time Lubbock-Cooper had the ball. With under two minutes to go in the live quarter, the Pirates’ defense had something to prove. Odessa High drove steadily down the field and found themselves at the Lubbock-Cooper 15-yard line with under ten seconds to play. The Bronchos tossed one more ball over the middle to the back of the endzone, but the Pirates were there to make a play. A hard hit and an interception ended the scrimmage.
Pirates Head Coach Chip Darden talked about the team’s progress after the scrimmage. Watch the full interview below:
Lubbock-Cooper will play one more scrimmage before the official start of the 2024 season. The Pirates travel to Midland next Thursday, August 22, to square off against the Midland High Bulldogs. The scrimmage is set to start at 6:30 p.m. (time subject to change).
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