LUBBOCK — Following its narrow home loss to Lucas Lovejoy last week, Lubbock-Cooper aimed to bounce back in a big way. Against Lubbock Coronado on a rainy Friday evening at Lowery Field at PlainsCapital Park, the Pirates did just that.
Cooper rattled off a 28-point run in the second quarter, which boosted Pirates past the Mustangs for a 49-14 final score.
After a scoreless first quarter, all three sides of the visiting side proceeded to fire on all cylinders.
Senior quarterback Ryan Rodriguez was solid, going 14-of-18 for 211 yards and three touchdowns, junior linebacker Broderick Everett recording a 15-yard pick six and sophomore wideout Noah Clark taking back a free kick to the house from 68 yards out. In between Everett’s INT return and Clark’s exhilarating return, the Pirates’ special teams unit was provided with a free two points.
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Thanks to the victory, Cooper improved to a 1-1 record. The Pirates return home to face Tascosa (2-0) for a showdown set for 7 p.m. next Friday at Pirate Stadium at First United Park.
Coronado dropped to 0-2 to start their respective campaign. The Mustangs will look to maneuver in the right direction with a matchup against Abilene Wylie (1-1), slated for 7 p.m. next Friday at Hugh Sandifer Stadium in Abilene.
Following a scoreless first quarter, the Pirates struck first with a 32-yard touchdown connection between Rodriguez and senior running back Chamayne “Deuce” Johnson. Cooper then followed up with a 16-yard touchdown pass between Rodriguez and senior wideout Cade Gant.
Leading 14-0, the Pirates applied more pressure on Coronado.
Two plays after the Rodriguez-to-Gant touchdown, Everett picked off Coronado senior quarterback JJ Villalobos before scoring six at the 6:46 mark of the second quarter.
With 1:34 to play until halftime, Coronado was forced to punt. The Mustangs’ snap went through the back of the endzone for the safety. On the free kick soon after, Clark made Coronado pay by sprinting into the endzone untouched from 68 yards away.
At intermission, the Pirates led by four touchdowns. Cooper then tacked on another score to complete a 35-0 run.
Rodriguez connected with Gant once more, who streaked down the sideline for a 77-yard touchdown with 4:44 remaining in the third quarter. That score would hold until 8:15 left in the game.
The Mustangs kept the game from being a shutout, though. Senior wideout Campbell Stanek snagged a 35-yard touchdown pass from Villalobos.
Cooper responded in a hurry, as senior defensive back Josiah Davis returned the following kickoff 89 yards to the house with 7:55 left. Originally, the Pirates would have been pinned back at their own four yard line, but a penalty on the play prompted a re-kick.
Stanek responded by stringing together a big kickoff return with a 20-yard touchdown reception from Villalobos. With 5:22 on the clock, Cooper still held a 42-14 advantage.
The Pirates ended the night with its reserves on the field, who then churned out a touchdown with 1:14 left. Freshman quarterback Cooper Luensmann enjoyed a scamper of 36-yards, before junior Adriel Cervantes cashed in with a two-yard touchdown run.
Along with Rodriguez, Gant contributed heavily to the Pirates’ win with 130 yards and two TDs on five catches. Junior running back Jathan Caraway led Cooper on the ground with 56 yards on eight carries, followed by Luensmann’s 52 yards on four rushes and Johnson’s 50 yards on eight attempts.
On defense, Patric Garcia led with two tackles and one quarterback sack. He was complemented by Davis and Rodney Edwards Jr., who each turned in four tackles.
Villalobos led Coronado by going 9-of-20 with 115 yards and two TDs. Stanek ended up with 55 yards and both scores on five catches, while junior Kareem Portee snagged two catches for 31 yards.
Junior running back Za’Vondric Stevenson rushed for 74 yards on five carries. On defense, the Mustangs saw senior Trae-Anthony Thompson and junior Zekai Bibbs compile seven tackles each, alongside junior Isaiah Doss’s six tackles and one interception.