For one half at First United Park at Pirate Stadium on Friday night, Tascosa and Lubbock-Cooper looked primed for a shootout which would be an entertaining contrast in styles.
During the other half, though, that potential faded, and the only shot which really landed ended up deciding the game.
After trading touchdowns in the first half, Tascosa and Cooper couldn’t get much going offensively in the second half. Cooper’s touchdown in the third quarter stood up, and that was enough for the Pirates to beat the Rebels 20-14.
Both teams were 2-1 at the end of the evening. It was the first game this season in which Tascosa gave up a touchdown.
The game lived up to its promise early, as it was tied 14-14 at halftime. Early in the third quarter, Cooper went up 20-14 on a 23-yard scoring pass from Ryan Rodriguez to Wyatt Haire.
That was it for the scoring. Cooper was able to hold off Tascosa defensively, while the Rebels were able to stay in the game defensively up to the end.
In the first half, both teams were able to find the end zone. Cooper got on the board first in the first quarter when Jathan Caraway ran 23 yards for a touchdown to give the Pirates a 7-0 lead.
Tascosa answered back in the second quarter when quarterback Coltyn Fulton scored on a 14-yard run to tie it 7-7.
Cooper responded by retaking the lead on the first of two scoring passes by Rodriguez, who hit Cade Gant on an 11-yard scoring pass for a 14-7 lead. Rodriguez completed 19-of-34 passes for 250 yards and Gant had 10 catches for 144 yards.
The Rebels tied it 14-14 before halftime on a 1-yard run by Tendrick Sargent.
Cooper had a more balanced offensive attack with 352 yards of total offense. Caraway ran for a game-high 94 yards.
Tascosa had a respectable if not signature game running the ball, with 180 yards, but the Rebels completed only one pass for 36 yards. Reese Cabe led the Rebels with 69 yards on only eight carries.
The Rebels didn’t help themselves with 11 penalties for 108 yards.