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02-23-2009, 08:26 PM
Cooper had a rough first season last year, but with all the talent NKY has year in and year out, will Cooper be a contender?
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02-24-2009, 01:31 AM
It's going to take Cooper at least 5 years to build a program. I don't see a lot of improvement next year. By the time this years Freshman are Seniors, you should see the signs that the team at least has a future. It's too much to ask for anything sooner than that.
02-24-2009, 03:20 PM
This might be a case where they are a better team but the record won't show it. To see any improvements one might have to look deep inside the numbers.
02-24-2009, 05:11 PM
Their first season was an ugly one and most likely it will be next year as well, but they should show signs of improvement as they continue to progress from year to year.
02-25-2009, 02:04 AM
NEWARKCATHOLICFAN Wrote:This might be a case where they are a better team but the record won't show it. To see any improvements one might have to look deep inside the numbers.
You are right. Right now they have to compete against themselves, meaning they need to look for team improvement in each outing and not base it on score alone. Fans and players alike are not going to like that, but it's what all new programs must face.
07-23-2009, 06:57 PM
http://nky.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/...907230356/
Experience, facilities give Jaguars confidence despite tough schedule
The Cooper High School football team is already off to a better start in 2009 than in its inaugural season of 2008 without even playing a game.
That's because this year's team got the benefit of a full offseason conditioning program and the return of a core group of players who actually played together last season instead of coming from three different schools to form last year's team.
"It actually feels like we're a team this year," said coach Randy Borchers. "Last year no one knew each other and we just weren't able to get that team bond you like as a coach."
Because the school's fieldhouse wasn't completed until almost mid-August, Borchers held some workouts beginning in May at the YMCA, but it wasn't full-fledged work in a weight room.
"About the only thing we could really do was agility stuff - really nothing in the weight room," said Borchers. "This offseason really turned the corner for us. Our kids worked extremely hard in the weight room and they became a closer group. That really carried over to the spring and now into the summer."
The fieldhouse provides offices for the coaches and locker rooms for the players that they didn't have last summer.
"It just makes everything more convenient and a lot easier to get some stuff done," said Borchers.
Cooper lost just five seniors from last year's 2-8 team. The roster has 47 players, up from 37.
"We lost a few players to attrition, but the numbers are very encouraging," said Borchers. "The biggest thing is you can see a drastic improvement from last year to this year just from what we've done in the weight room. Our motto is, 'Get better every day,' and I think we've done that."
But has Cooper improved enough to win more games than last season and at least be competitive in their very difficult Class 6A district? It's still a very young team with only seven seniors on the roster.
Borchers hopes the change in schedule from last year to this year will help with four non-district games being played before Cooper's five district games.
Last year, the program was thrown into the Class 6A fire by playing four of its first five games against district foes. They lost those games by a combined score of 223-15. The Jaguars lost their other district game 55-6.
"The first four games are going to be telling of how much we've improved and if we're ready to compete in the district," said Borchers. "I can't sit here today and say we can compete with those teams based on those scores from last year and the fact we're still very young. Most of those teams have seniors starting and most of our starters are still going to be juniors and sophomores."
Borchers said he liked the way his team fought through the adversity of so many early beatings and won two of their final five games - albeit against smaller schools in Gallatin County and Walton-Verona.
"Our kids last year did everything we asked them to do from the time we got the job until the end of the season," said Borchers.
"I felt bad for the kids because for awhile almost every week was the same outcome. But we could see on film that every week there were positives to point out and that we kept getting a little better and a little better, and they kept coming to practice with a great attitude. We just have to keep coming with that attitude this year, and things will be a whole lot better. We've still got a lot of work to do."
Experience, facilities give Jaguars confidence despite tough schedule
The Cooper High School football team is already off to a better start in 2009 than in its inaugural season of 2008 without even playing a game.
That's because this year's team got the benefit of a full offseason conditioning program and the return of a core group of players who actually played together last season instead of coming from three different schools to form last year's team.
"It actually feels like we're a team this year," said coach Randy Borchers. "Last year no one knew each other and we just weren't able to get that team bond you like as a coach."
Because the school's fieldhouse wasn't completed until almost mid-August, Borchers held some workouts beginning in May at the YMCA, but it wasn't full-fledged work in a weight room.
"About the only thing we could really do was agility stuff - really nothing in the weight room," said Borchers. "This offseason really turned the corner for us. Our kids worked extremely hard in the weight room and they became a closer group. That really carried over to the spring and now into the summer."
The fieldhouse provides offices for the coaches and locker rooms for the players that they didn't have last summer.
"It just makes everything more convenient and a lot easier to get some stuff done," said Borchers.
Cooper lost just five seniors from last year's 2-8 team. The roster has 47 players, up from 37.
"We lost a few players to attrition, but the numbers are very encouraging," said Borchers. "The biggest thing is you can see a drastic improvement from last year to this year just from what we've done in the weight room. Our motto is, 'Get better every day,' and I think we've done that."
But has Cooper improved enough to win more games than last season and at least be competitive in their very difficult Class 6A district? It's still a very young team with only seven seniors on the roster.
Borchers hopes the change in schedule from last year to this year will help with four non-district games being played before Cooper's five district games.
Last year, the program was thrown into the Class 6A fire by playing four of its first five games against district foes. They lost those games by a combined score of 223-15. The Jaguars lost their other district game 55-6.
"The first four games are going to be telling of how much we've improved and if we're ready to compete in the district," said Borchers. "I can't sit here today and say we can compete with those teams based on those scores from last year and the fact we're still very young. Most of those teams have seniors starting and most of our starters are still going to be juniors and sophomores."
Borchers said he liked the way his team fought through the adversity of so many early beatings and won two of their final five games - albeit against smaller schools in Gallatin County and Walton-Verona.
"Our kids last year did everything we asked them to do from the time we got the job until the end of the season," said Borchers.
"I felt bad for the kids because for awhile almost every week was the same outcome. But we could see on film that every week there were positives to point out and that we kept getting a little better and a little better, and they kept coming to practice with a great attitude. We just have to keep coming with that attitude this year, and things will be a whole lot better. We've still got a lot of work to do."
08-19-2009, 04:41 PM
Jaguars look to improve in 2nd year
By James Weber • [email]jweber@nky.com[/email] • August 18, 2009
• • Print • ShareThis • Type Size: A A
Matt Rudd expects a better season for the Cooper High School football team this year.
It may not be a bold statement from the senior running back/linebacker, as the Jaguars went 2-8 in the school's first year of existence.
But the Jags are far removed from the expected chaos that welcomed them into varsity competition last fall.
Last year, the Jaguars had no on-campus fieldhouse until the season began, and no team togetherness until early in the summer as students came from the other three schools in the Boone County school district.
"Last year I knew about three or four people and now I know the whole team," Rudd said. "We're close now. It's a lot easier now. Last year we had to bring our helmets home and we had nothing."
Randy Borchers, the former Ludlow head coach who started the Cooper program last year, said the team knows what to expect from each other now.
"The biggest thing is our offseason conditioning," he said. "Last year, most of the kids were not in the weight room all winter long. We were able to get these kids in there this year and we're a lot stronger. We've seen a big difference this year in spring ball from where we were at last year."
Getting to know each other has been a big plus for the Jaguars.
"Our biggest strength is our work ethic," Borchers said. "They're working together as a team. Last year we had a lot of individuals, they didn't know the kids and how to work with one another. Now they've been working together for a year; they don't want to let their teammates down. Last year it was easier for them to quit."
Senior lineman James Utz said they have a lot more experience.
"We return almost all our starters. We have more of a bond and more of a team atmosphere in the locker room," he said.
A helpful key for the Jaguars this year could be the schedule. Last year, they had to play their 6A foes early in the year because that was the only place they would fit. Borchers said early lopsided losses to those teams hurt the team's confidence.
This year, those games are later in the season, and Borchers said the team hopes to have more competitive games early in the schedule.
"If we can go 5-5, that will be a great goal," he said. "We have a very tough district. To have any chance of competing at all in that district, you have to get prepared in the early going. We feel we have four teams off the bat that will be very competitive for us. We feel if we play our game we can compete and have a chance to win in the fourth quarter."
Borchers said his main concern in the preseason is depth, where the team has a lot of sophomores as backups.
Utz was a backup last year but is one of the players who has benefited from a year in the system.
"In spring ball he was a totally different person," Borchers said. "The offseason conditioning was huge for him. He's not as vocal, quiet, leads by example. He's one of the first ones on the field."
Cody Johnson, an offensive lineman/linebacker, is a key leader on the team.
"He really understands what we're looking for," Borchers said. "He's calling the defensive schemes. The kids look up to him. He's worked extremely hard in the weight room. He's by far our biggest leader.
Rudd, a linebacker, came on strong last season at the end and also plays fullback.
"Last year we had about five seniors, now we have over 10," Rudd said. "Last year they didn't want to speak up and this year we're not afraid to step up because we know they'll listen."
On offense, Cooper returns nine starters including receivers Brett Berry, Ryan Klute and Nick Ballinger, who combined for most of the catches. The Jags have to replace graduated QB Chad Romero. Tommy Earsing is a also a senior returning starter.
Winning two games last year against Walton-Verona and Gallatin County were huge for the team's confidence.
"We're a lot farther along this year," Benson said. "We were still installing basic plays last year. The wins were big for us. That let us know that we could do it."
By James Weber • [email]jweber@nky.com[/email] • August 18, 2009
• • Print • ShareThis • Type Size: A A
Matt Rudd expects a better season for the Cooper High School football team this year.
It may not be a bold statement from the senior running back/linebacker, as the Jaguars went 2-8 in the school's first year of existence.
But the Jags are far removed from the expected chaos that welcomed them into varsity competition last fall.
Last year, the Jaguars had no on-campus fieldhouse until the season began, and no team togetherness until early in the summer as students came from the other three schools in the Boone County school district.
"Last year I knew about three or four people and now I know the whole team," Rudd said. "We're close now. It's a lot easier now. Last year we had to bring our helmets home and we had nothing."
Randy Borchers, the former Ludlow head coach who started the Cooper program last year, said the team knows what to expect from each other now.
"The biggest thing is our offseason conditioning," he said. "Last year, most of the kids were not in the weight room all winter long. We were able to get these kids in there this year and we're a lot stronger. We've seen a big difference this year in spring ball from where we were at last year."
Getting to know each other has been a big plus for the Jaguars.
"Our biggest strength is our work ethic," Borchers said. "They're working together as a team. Last year we had a lot of individuals, they didn't know the kids and how to work with one another. Now they've been working together for a year; they don't want to let their teammates down. Last year it was easier for them to quit."
Senior lineman James Utz said they have a lot more experience.
"We return almost all our starters. We have more of a bond and more of a team atmosphere in the locker room," he said.
A helpful key for the Jaguars this year could be the schedule. Last year, they had to play their 6A foes early in the year because that was the only place they would fit. Borchers said early lopsided losses to those teams hurt the team's confidence.
This year, those games are later in the season, and Borchers said the team hopes to have more competitive games early in the schedule.
"If we can go 5-5, that will be a great goal," he said. "We have a very tough district. To have any chance of competing at all in that district, you have to get prepared in the early going. We feel we have four teams off the bat that will be very competitive for us. We feel if we play our game we can compete and have a chance to win in the fourth quarter."
Borchers said his main concern in the preseason is depth, where the team has a lot of sophomores as backups.
Utz was a backup last year but is one of the players who has benefited from a year in the system.
"In spring ball he was a totally different person," Borchers said. "The offseason conditioning was huge for him. He's not as vocal, quiet, leads by example. He's one of the first ones on the field."
Cody Johnson, an offensive lineman/linebacker, is a key leader on the team.
"He really understands what we're looking for," Borchers said. "He's calling the defensive schemes. The kids look up to him. He's worked extremely hard in the weight room. He's by far our biggest leader.
Rudd, a linebacker, came on strong last season at the end and also plays fullback.
"Last year we had about five seniors, now we have over 10," Rudd said. "Last year they didn't want to speak up and this year we're not afraid to step up because we know they'll listen."
On offense, Cooper returns nine starters including receivers Brett Berry, Ryan Klute and Nick Ballinger, who combined for most of the catches. The Jags have to replace graduated QB Chad Romero. Tommy Earsing is a also a senior returning starter.
Winning two games last year against Walton-Verona and Gallatin County were huge for the team's confidence.
"We're a lot farther along this year," Benson said. "We were still installing basic plays last year. The wins were big for us. That let us know that we could do it."
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