For years, Cooper City High’s football team has struggled to find an identity. This year, the Cowboys have moved closer to that goal.
While veteran head coach Jim Elder has made some major changes in the past few years, the one thing that has made all the difference to this 5-2 football program is that they are finally keeping players at home.
Blessed with one of the top youth football programs around, Cooper City’s talent is now being used by a school that has finished near the bottom far too long.
“There’s a different attitude around here,” said Elder. “That’s not to say that we going to turn this all around this year, but we certainly have been making major strides.”
If the Cowboys beat rival Western this week, it will set up a game on Nov. 2 that will either send this team home for yet another year at playoff time, or give the Cowboys a chance to get back in the playoff mix.
Losing district games to South Broward and state-rated powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas puts Cooper City in a position where they have to beat longtime rival Hollywood Hills. If they can accomplish that, St. Thomas would win the district once again, but South Broward, Hollywood Hills and Cooper City will most likely have a three-way tie-breaker, which is fine for everyone who wears the red, black and white. The Cowboys figure they have the kicking game with senior Robert Yanks and the short yardage running with seniors Robert Tasse, Aaron Johnson and Sean Curtis. They also have junior quarterback Erik Applegate, who has been surprising.
“This is a solid football team that is still making those little mistakes that hurt us,” said Elder. “To become a legitimate playoff contender, you have to execute and cut back on the mistakes that cost us games.”
This Cooper City football team does have much better athletes than in the past. Just watching them a few times, and in the off season at camps and combines as well as at 7-on-7 events will back that up. Not only are players such as Tasse, Curtis, Johnson, Applegate and Yanks quality football players, but the Cowboys have much needed depth at positions they can rely on.
Seniors Ryan Jessup (linebacker), Matt Bente (receiver) and Geoffrey Turnquest (receiver/safety). There are also juniors Josh Hill (running back/linebacker) Benji Wilson (defensive back), Ryan Anderson (defensive back) and Steven Rivera (OL/DL), and talented sophomores Samuel Joseph (DE/TE) and linebacker Nick Craney, a 5-7, 180-pounder who is projected to be a star for the future.
At a time when this team is making a move to join the elite, coaching has a lot to do with it. Former head coaches Curt Wiles and Mike Manning are doing a tremendous job with Elder. Both have been in this thing for a long time and have met many challenges along the way.
While this program is no stranger to making the playoffs, it has been a few years since they have made a statement on the football field. A win over Western and Hollywood Hills will give them an opportunity to accomplish things that they have building towards for years. Maybe, just maybe, Cooper City can finally use that pipeline that the youth football season has had flowing for years!
BCAA FOOTBALL BANTER:
* Douglas 52, Coral Springs 12: David Noshay continued his outstanding season as the quarterback threw for 349 yards, John Wallace ran for 140 yards, and receivers Matt Harvey and Chris Robinson ignited the Eagles.
* St. Thomas Aquinas 35, South Broward 0: Senior running back Jeremiah Harden ran for 85 yards and two touchdowns, junior quarterback Ryan Becker threw for 91 yards and safety John Carr returned an interception for a score.
* AIRWAVES: Cardinal Gibbons kicker Blair Walsh and Cypress Bay head football coach Mark Guandolo were guests recently on the Thursday High School Gridiron Radio Show. Walsh, a University of Georgia commitment talked about his decision to head to Athens and spoke about his two 59-yard field goals. Guandolo spoke about this year’s state-rated Lightning and how hard work has given his team identity.
Want to know more about high school football? Check Larry Blustein’s weekly evaluations at www.floridafb.com. He also is part of the Dolphin Gridiron Radio Show each Thursday night (9-10) on WQAM-AM (560 AM). You can also reach him via E-Mail at Floridakids1@hotmail.com.
