Despite Furious Comeback, Lubbock-Cooper Falls to Frenship

Frenship’s offense ignited early, with quarterback Holden Phillips hitting several receivers on the Tigers’ first drive. Cooper’s defense forced several third downs on the drive, but Frenship could not be stopped. Phillips hit the Tigers’ Chase Campbell on a 10-yard touchdown pass on 3rd and goal for the game's first points.

The Tigers' defense crushed any answer the Pirates would have had on Cooper’s first possession with a takeaway. Pirates’ Quarterback Ryan Rodriguez hit an open man, but the Tigers were there to rip the ball away. Frenship answered only three plays later with a 65-yard touchdown pass from Phillips to Campbell. The Tigers led 14-0 midway through the 1st quarter.

Another two punts from the Pirates resulted in two more touchdowns for the Tigers. First, a 1-yard touchdown run from Ethan Deleon. Next, Texas Tech commit Leyton Stone decided he wanted to be involved and caught a deep pass down the sideline to set the Tigers up with a 1st and goal. Jordan Hernandez finished off the drive with a short touchdown, and just like that, the Tigers led 28-0.

Lubbock-Cooper finally got on the board midway throught the 2nd quarter. A big play through the air set up several tough runs to push the Pirates towards the goal line. Jackson Austin scored form 2-yards out to cut the lead to 21.

The two teams traded one more touchdown a piece before the half, but Lubbock-Cooper had work to do during the break if they had any hope of climbing back into this contest. Frenship led at the half, 35-14.

Frenship picked up in the 2nd half, where the Tigers ended the first. After the defense stopped Cooper’s opening attempt, Frenship drove straight down the field and scored. Lubbock-Cooper managed to answer, but it seemed all for naught as the Tigers just scored again. Entering the 4th quarter, the score fell with the Tigers still ahead 49-28.

In the 4th quarter, the Pirates shifted into another gear. A Frenship fumble led to a touchdown by the Pirates’ Tight End, Easton Barnhill. After the score, the special teams unit secured an onside kick. The momentum swing continued in Cooper’s favor with another touchdown, this time to Michael Devers, who made a diving catch just across the pylon. Midway through the 4th quarter, Lubbock-Cooper was back in the game, 49-42.

The Pirates had one opportunity to tie the game when disaster struck. After Cooper’s Cole Stanzione picked off Phillips, the offense could tie the game with a touchdown. This is where the Tigers’ defense stepped up. Three negative plays forced a punt with just under five minutes to play. During the punt, the long snapper snapped the football over the punter's head. He kicked the ball out of the end zone but was called for an illegal kick. The play resulted in a safety.

Frenship ground out more than three minutes off the clock before a missed field goal gave the Pirates the football. Down by nine with two minutes to play meant there was only a slim chance of completing the comeback, but there was still a chance. Unfortunately for the Pirates, a missed 4th down conversion gave Frenship back the ball. Phillips kneeled out the remaining time on the clock, and the Tigers claimed victory over their cross-town rivals, 51-42.

After the game, Frenship’s Head Coach Jay Northcutt gave his thoughts on his team’s performance. Check out that interview below:

The Frenship Tigers (3-1) return to action next Friday, September 27, when the Tigers travel to Midland to play Midland Christian. Kickoff in that matchup is slated for 7 p.m.

The Lubbock-Cooper Pirates (3-1) finished non-district play against Frenship and now turn their sights on a district championship. First up, the Pirates host Plainview (2-2) next Friday, September 27, at Pirate Stadium in Lubbock. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.