Regardless of when and where, the Crosstown Showdown matchup between Frenship and Lubbock-Cooper doesn’t disappoint. Over the past half decade, games have been decided by a mere 19 points.
The latest meeting between the Pirates and Tigers carried on that latest tradition of wild contests. This time around, though, both squads had to battle into the proverbial fifth period to decide a victor.
The west side of the Hub City was treated to an instant classic, as Lubbock-Cooper escaped Frenship by claiming a 57-56 shootout on Friday night at People’s Bank Stadium.
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Tied at 49-49 heading into OT, the Tigers struck first with a eight-yard touchdown connection between senior quarterback Quad Ferris and wideout Chase Campbell. Junior Samuel Miller supplied the point after, giving Frenship a 56-49 lead.
The Pirates answered with a 25-yard touchdown pass and catch between senior quarterback Ryan Rodriguez and running back Chamayne Johnson Jr.
Then, head coach Chip Darden and his staff pushed all of the chips toward the middle of the table. Lubbock-Cooper sought to win by way of a two-point conversion. The gambit paid off, as Rodriguez found an open man in senior Cade Gant for the three-yard two-pointer and game winner.
With the exciting finish, the Pirates snapped a four-game skid against the Tigers, which dated back to Oct. 9, 2020.
Both quarterbacks had tremendous showings, with Rodriguez going 32-of-48 for 483 yards and five touchdowns, countered by Ferris’ 19-of-31 for 293 yards and five TDs. The stellar play wasn’t limited to just the signal callers.
Gant reeled in 11 catches for 198 yards, alongside sophomore wideout Noah Clark’s 12 receptions for 169 yards and two trips to paydirt. Johnson tallied only 45 yards on 16 carries and four catches for 39 yards, but rattled off four TDs (three rushing, one receiving) for the Pirates.
For Frenship, Campbell went off with nine catches for 158 yards and four touchdowns. Campbell also rushed for 32 yards and one score on eight carries, and went 4-of-5 for 99 yards and one touchdown.
Senior teammate Hayden Wilson complemented Campbell with four catches for 113 yards and two scores. The Pirates also won the turnover battle, losing two fumbles compared to the Tigers’ two lost fumbles and two interceptions.
Lubbock-Cooper improved to a 3-1 record, and are now riding on a three-game winning streak.
The Pirates will make a quick trip north on Interstate 27 to face Plainview at 7 p.m. next Friday at Greg Sherwood Memorial Bulldog Stadium in Plainview. The Bulldogs (1-3) fell to Dumas by way of a 43-35 result on Friday at Demon Stadium in Dumas.
Frenship dipped down to 1-3 overall.
The Tigers will look to bounce back against a formidable Midland Christian team, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. next Friday at People’s Bank Stadium. The Mustangs (3-1) overcame a long road trip to slip past Cornerstone Christian with a 17-14 decision on Friday at Warrior Stadium in San Antonio.
Frenship fumbled on their first possession, which led to Lubbock-Cooper scoring first via a 14-yard touchdown between Rodriguez and Clark at the 10:45 mark. Frenship responded with a 32-yard TD pass between Campbell and Wilson, finishing off an eight-play drive with 7:51 remaining in the initial period.
Both sides then traded possessions, before Rodriguez and Clark connected for a five-yard touchdown at 3:47. A little more than a minute later, Ferris — the transfer from Bushland — tossed to Campbell for an 18-yard touchdown with 2:36 to play.
Transitioning into the second quarter, both sides were locked at 14-14.
The second quarter shifted over to the defense, with Frenship recovering a fumble and Lubbock-Cooper capturing an interception. The Pirates were forced to punt soon after, before the Tigers turned the ball over on downs.
Lubbock-Cooper regained the lead with 4:02 on the clock, with Rodriguez tossing a 26-yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Jathan Caraway. With 1:41 left until intermission, Frenship polished off a seven-play drive with a six-yard TD run from Campbell.
The Pirates did cough up the football before half. However, Miller’s kick missed his target.
At the break, both sides remained tied at 21-21.
The Pirates did cough up the football before half. However, Miller’s kick missed his target.
At the break, both sides remained tied at 21-21.
The Pirates started the second half with a fumble recovery and a 13-yard touchdown from Rodriguez to senior wideout Reid Watters at 10 minutes on the dot. The Tigers again tied it back up 48 seconds later, with Ferris connecting with Campbell once more for a 38-yard score.
Frenship then used a turnover on downs to take the lead. Instead of going to the air, junior Isaiah Gilliam entered the endzone from 18 yards away. With 8:07 left in the third, the Tigers took their first lead of the game.
Lubbock-Cooper replied five minutes and two seconds later, Johnson wrapped up a six-play drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge. The Tigers regained the lead with 1:58 left in the stanza, with a 16-yard TD connection between Ferris and Wilson.
Going into the final stretch of regulation, Frenship held a 42-35 advantage.
With 8:47 to go, Johnson collected a two-yard touchdown rush, which allowed the Pirates to tie the game once more at 42-42. Three possessions later, Johnson cashed in on a five-yard touchdown run with 31 seconds to play, capping off a seven-play march to the endzone.
Frenship then pulled off a desperate late drive, made good by a 18-yard touchdown between Ferris and Campbell with six seconds left in regulation. Miller split the uprights, and the game moved into extra time with a 49-49 deadlock.
The Tigers took the first overtime possession, which took three plays to produce seven points. Lubbock-Cooper answered with a 25-yard score, before the successful two-pointer lifted the Pirates to their third consecutive win.
On defense, the Pirates were led by senior Josiah Davis, senior Kale Kirk and senior Sione Vaea. Davis reeled in an interception and returned it for 20 yards, while Vaea picked up two quarterback sacks and Kirk totaled seven tackles. Junior Blake Moore chimed in with five tackles and an INT.
Senior Hudson Page paced the Tigers’ defensive unit with seven tackles and one sack, followed by six tackles each from senior Randin Covarriubio, senior Brandon Lucero and senior Crishaud Davis.