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Conner erases deficit beating Cooper 20-19

HEBRON, Kentucky – For the second time in three weeks the Conner Cougars trialed the Cooper Jaguars by two touchdowns. Both times the Cougars come all the way back and will now advance to the third week of the playoffs after a 20-19 win over the Jaguars.

Quarterback Jared Hicks threw a short jump pass on a run-pass-option play to Tate Niederman who maneuvered 63 yards through the mud for the game’s deciding score.

Conner also came from behind after trailing 14-0 at halftime in Week 9 to beat Cooper 19-14.

The field conditions on this night at Fred Nevel Stadium were far from ideal. The natural grass playing surface has been holding water the last several weeks thanks to the usually wet fall season. This made it difficult for both teams to generate very much offense during the early going.

Cooper took a 19-7 lead into the third quarter on an outstanding catch in the end zone by Jaguars wide receiver Dillon Perry.

Conner then turned to a power running game on the ensuing possession for its first established drive of the game. Douglas Abdon punched the ball in from two-yard line cutting the deficit to 19-14.

The Cougars got the ball back after forcing the Jaguars to punt. On the second play of the drive, Hicks read the defenders and threw a little jump toss that Niederman caught and raced 63 yards for the touchdown.

Conner now leads the all-time series 8-5 and will advance to the region championship game next week against Madison Central.

Postgame interview with Conner quarterback Jared Hicks

Cooper jumped out to an early advantage. Late in the first quarter, running back Anthony Witschey ripped off a 38-yard gain into Conner territory. The Jaguars also took advantage of a personal foul on a facemark penalty against the Cougars on that drive giving Cooper its first scoring opportunity.

Quarterback Jeremiah Lee raced 11 yards into the end zone for the game’s first touchdown. The extra point kick attempt failed so Cooper took a 6-0 lead with 18 seconds left in the first quarter.

Conner went three-and-out and was forced to punt back to the Jaguars. Lee found his tight end Michael Spencer wide open behind the Conner defense. It was an easy 38-yard touchdown for Cooper and the Jaguars took what appeared to be a commanding 13-0 advantage.

The Cougars offense was anemic during the first half so it was the defense and special teams that stepped up.

A punt flipped the field position battle to where Cooper was working out of the shadow of its own end zone. Lee was nearly sacked in the end zone as he barely escaped a Conner defender forcing a punt.

Conner had great field position starting on its own 32-yard line after a short Cooper punt. Hicks completed a pass to Niederman for 16 yards putting the ball on the four-yard line. Abdon scored the first of his two touchdowns shaving the Copper lead to 13-7 at halftime.

It was just the second time these two district opponents and neighbors in the Boone County area met in the post season. Cooper beat Conner both times the two teams met in 2015 including a 14-6 playoff victory.

Conner will now travel to Richmond for its chance to win the region championship next week against Madison Central who defeated Tates Creek 13-10.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Cooper 6-7-6-0 – 19

Conner 0-7-7-6 – 20

SCORING PLAYS

Coop – Jeremiah Lee 11-yard TD run (kick failed)

Coop – Michael Spencer 38-yard TD catch from Jeremiah Lee (Drew Warth kick)

Con – Douglas Abdon 4-yard TD run (Teddy Schul kick)

Coop – Dillon Perry 24-yard TD catch from Jeremiah Lee (pass failed)

Con – Douglas Abdon 2-yard TD run (Teddy Schul kick)

Con – Tate Niederman 63-yard TD catch from Jared Hicks (kick failed)

RECORDS: Cooper (5-7); Conner (9-3)

NEXT WEEK: Conner at Madison Central (9-3)

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