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2024 Video Snapshot: Cooper

They are laser focused on taking care of unfinished business at Cooper. Last season the Jaguars made it to the state finals for the second time in school history and first time in 12 years only to see Bowling Green spoil championship dreams.

Loaded with fire power and nine starters back on offense and eight on defense, Cooper is well equipped to bring home its first championship trophy.

Class 5A, District 6
2023 RECORD: 12-3, 4-1 Class 5A, District 5, Class 5A State Runner-up
COACH: Randy Borchers (96-90 at Cooper, 16 years, 104-102 overall, 18 years)

HONOR ROLL
Austin Alexander, Sr, WR/DL – One of the state’s most impactful players. Alexander, a game changer on both sides of the ball, enters his senior year in prime physical condition. Last fall, he tallied 81 tackles, had 19.0 sacks and a pick-six. On offense, Alexander reeled in 67 balls for 1,138 yards with 19 touchdown catches. Those efforts earned him First Team All-NKY honors, for a third consecutive season, First Team All-TriState Football (DL) accolades for a second straight year and was a TSF NKY Defensive player of the Year Finalist after winning the award as a sophomore. The University of North Carolina commit has already amassed 227 tackles, 35.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions, one pick-six, 113 receptions, 1,816 receiving yards and 26 touchdown receptions in his career.

Isaiah Johnson, Sr, WR – It was a breakout, record-setting junior campaign for Johnson. He hauled in 76 receptions for 1,372 yards (35th most in a single season in Kentucky history) and 21 receiving touchdowns (22nd most in a single season in Kentucky history). Johnson was named First Team All-NKY (for a second straight year) and Second Team All-TriState Football. He has 109 receptions, 2,045 receiving yards and 29 touchdown catches at the varsity level.

Cam O’Hara, Jr, QB – The cannon-armed slinger is back for his third season as the Jaguars quarterback. O’Hara was named Division I First Team All-NKFCA and Second Team All-TriState Football after throwing for 3,361 yards with 47 passing touchdowns (19th most in a single season in Kentucky history) and one rushing score as a sophomore. O’Hara’s offers include Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky, Akron and Miami (OH). He has already thrown for 5,379 yards and 68 touchdowns in a Jaguars uniform.

Isaac Brown, Sr, DB – A ball hawk and one of the leaders of a very good Jaguars secondary. Brown had 24 tackles and four interceptions on his way to being named Division I All-NKY (DB) as a junior.

OTHER RETURNEES
Keagan Maher, Jr, RB – A deceptively fast runner who can turn the corner and get up the field in a heartbeat. Maher had no problem handling the workload as the teams featured back as a sophomore running for 1,204 yards, catching 28 balls for 309 yards, and finding the end zone 22 times (18 rush, four rush).

Cooper RB Keagan Maher (photo by Chris Granger / X: @regnargc)

Michael Mulvihill, Sr, LB – Injuries kept Mulvihill out of all but the last six games in in 2023 but he sure made his presence felt. He had 37 tackles, one-and-a-half-sacks and three takeaways (two FRs, one INT). The former First Team All-Ohio and OPSWA Division V Southwest District Defensive Player of the Year heads into his final campaign with 2023 tackles, four sacks, eight tackles for losses, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, four interceptions, 2,035 yards rushing, 1,516 yards passing and 34 touchdowns (27 rush, 17 pass).

Mason Stanton, Sr, LB – One of this team’s unsung heroes. Stanton returns for his third season as a starter. He has 136 tackles, one sack, three tackles for losses, three forced fumbles and seven takeaways (four FR, three INTs) and one-scoop-and-score in his career.

Malachi Ewell, Sr, WR – One of four returnees that had at least 28 catches in 2023. Ewell hauled in 33 balls for 229 yards.

Jaiden Combs, Sr, WR – Should see his role expand on offense this fall. Combs had eight receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns as a junior.

Austin Perriman, Sr, DB – Played very well in his first season as a starter. Perriman was in on 37 tackles and had two interceptions including a pick-six.

Ryker Campbell, Jr, WR/DB – A key piece of an excellent secondary. Campbell recorded 59 tackles, had a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and five interceptions as a sophomore.

Cooper WR/DB Ryker Perriman (photo by Chris Granger/X: @regnargc)

Juniors DL Colton Graham, OL/DL Colton Dean, OL Noah Reichel and OL/DL Christian Brown give Cooper depth versatility and flexibility on both sides of the line. Graham had 32 tackles, five sacks and a fumble recovery in 2023. Brown was in on 18 tackles.

Josiah Pouncy, So, DB – Once the effort equals the talent, watch out! Pouncy has the gifts to be special. He had 26 tackles as a sophomore.

2024 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/23/24 – BARDSTOWN (8-5 in 2023) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 08/30/24 – at Henry Clay (0-11) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/06/24 – RYLE (8-5) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/13/24 – at Campbell County (3-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/20/24 – GREAT CROSSING (2-9) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/27/24 – at Highlands (12-2) – 7:00 PM
Th – 10/03/24 – CONNER (5-6) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/11/24 – SCOTT (2-8) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/18/24 – at Boone County (2-8)– 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/25/24 – at Dixie Heights (5-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 11/01/24 – BYE

BOONE COUNTY RIVALS
This will be the 17th season of football at Cooper football. The Jaguars have played 186 games (all under coach Borchers) of which 50 have been played against the other three Boone County schools. Cooper is a combined 23-27 against their local rivals – Boone County (12-4), Conner (8-10) and Ryle (3-13).

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