Cooper headed to state semifinals

By Dan Wright

    Cooper used three touchdowns by senior running back A.J. Collins and four turnovers forced by its defense to knock off previously unbeaten Franklin County, 40-27, in the Class 5A playoffs in Frankfort Friday night.

   Collins ran 26 times for 172 yards as the Jaguars controlled the clock by rushing for 333 yards on 49 carries in the game.

   Senior quarterback Tyler Morris added 16 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown, scored a two-point conversion after four of Cooper’s scores, and picked off a pass.

   Junior defensive back Aaron Morgan intercepted two more passes as Cooper held a Franklin County offense that had been averaging over 59 points per game entering the contest to a season-low point total.

   Senior defensive linemen Taylor Centers and Dustin Mitchell pressured Franklin County senior quarterback Logan Woodside throughout the game, causing Woodside to complete just 22 of 41 passes for 191 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.

   Senior running back Ryan Timmons gained 81 yards on 11 carries and caught four passes for 39 yards for the Flyers, scoring both a rushing and a receiving touchdown.

   Cooper moves on to the Class 5A semifinals, where the Jaguars will travel to face Harlan County (11-2) next weekend.

COOPER 16-8-8-8—40
at FRANKLIN 14-6-0-7—27
FC-Woodside 3 run (Durham kick)
C-Morris 5 run (Morris run)
FC-Timmons 23 pass from Woodside (Durham kick)
C-Bricking 27 run (Morris run)
FC-Timmons 57 run (pass failed)
C-Collins 11 run (Collins run)
C-Collins 27 run (Morris run)
FC-Roberts 6 pass from Woodside (Durham kick)
C-Collins 12 run (Morris run)
RECORDS: Cooper 12-1, Franklin County 12-1.