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Bulldogs Set Sights on New District Foes

Cooper Bulldog football season is fast approaching with workouts starting on Aug. 1, 2016. Head Football Coach Ronnie Green is excited about the new faces and new opponents.
Cindy Roller/Cooper Review

Grid season is fast approaching for the Cooper Bulldogs. With it come thoughts of new opponents thanks to the redistricting performed by the UIL. District 6-3A Division II has been given preseason predictions by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. Those include at the top Gunter Tigers, Leonard Tigers, Sadler & Southmayd (S&S) Rams, Cooper Bulldogs, Prairiland Patriots, Whitewright Tigers and Chisum Mustangs at the bottom of the list.

     Preseason Offensive MVP selected was Gunter quarterback Trey Carr, and Defensive MVP was Linebacker Tanner Young of Leonard.
    “Gunter has been tough for a while in their district,” said Cooper Bulldogs Head Football Coach Ronnie Green, in a phone interview. “They have a big offensive line and big receivers.”
      The coach was looking forward to getting football workouts started.
    “The whole district will be as good as any we have been in,” added Coach Green on the new opponents. “The preseason teams are all good tough teams.” In preseason the Bulldogs will face Farmersville Fighting Farmers, Rains (Emory) Wildcats, Callisburg Wildcats, and Rivercrest Rebels along with scrimmages against Caddo Mills Foxes and Winnsboro Red Raiders.

2016 Cooper Bulldog Varsity Schedule

  • Aug. 12    Caddo Mills (Scrimmage)
  • Aug. 18    Winnsboro (Scrimmage)
  • Aug. 26    Farmersville        Away    7:30
  • Sept. 2        Rains                    Home    7:30
  • Sept. 9         Callisburg          Away    7:30
  • Sept. 16   Rivercrest             Home  7:30
  • Sept 23        Prairiland          Away    7:30
  • Sept. 30   Bye Week
  • Oct. 7       Chisum**               Home    7:30
  • Oct. 14       Gunter*                Away    7:30
  • Oct. 21       Leonard*             Home    7:30
  • Oct. 28       Whitewright*    Away    7:30
  • Nov. 4       S&S***                  Home    7:30
  • ** Homecoming    ***Senior Night

     “It will be a different season,” said Coach Green. “Going in different directions. We will be in the playoffs – that’s all I know. That’s our focus week by week.”
     In Texas Football, Coach Green said his players to watch as Linebacker Justin Gibson, Linebacker twins Tyler and Taylor Knickerbocker, Defensive Lineman Trenton Blundell, Quarterback Mitchell Green and Runningback Brayden Toon.
     Green and Toon each chalked up 745 rushing yards, according to the magazine’s statistics. While the Knickerbockers combined for 154 tackles along with Gibson’s 74 “giving the defense the most promise.”
       Coach Green said they will be a young team again with several juniors with lots of experience which he hopes will keep the Bulldogs a step ahead of the competition. He has been observing the incoming freshman class players and is pleased with the talented group.
     August 1 is right around the corner for the team. He is looking forward to consulting with his coaching staff which will also have some new faces – Alec Bryant (head baseball, JH basketball and football), Coach Kris Crews (football, power lifting and track).
    Coach Brandon Bonds left Cooper to take a position at Gladewater, closer to his wife. Another change will be the promotion of Coach Murphy to head girls basketball as Coach Nichole Anderson who got married and moved to the Palestine area. Amy Ramsay will be JH science and girls track.
  Chevis High will be special education, Ty Huie will be DAEP/coach, and Darla Heath will be junior high math which were all approved at Monday's school board meeting.
    “I am excited about the new additions filling our coaching staff,” said Coach Green. Coaches reported on Monday.