Topic: Football
2023FBPCH
Cooper vs. Highlands
Class 5A 2023 UK HealthCare Sports Medicine State Football Finals (Semifinals)
Highlands High School
Ft. Thomas, KY
November 24, 2023
© 2023 by Ron Harrison
Carson Taylor kicked a 35 yard field goal with 4:10 left on the clock to give Cooper a 17-15 come-from-behind victory over Highlands. Cooper raced out to a 14-0 lead but Highlands clawed back in the game to take a 15-14 lead on a play that started out as a run by Adam Surrey who pulled up and passed to Jackson Arnold for a 15 yard scoring reception. The Bluebirds opted to go for two but a fumbled snap doomed the play to failure. This would ultimately prove costly as Cooper hit the winning field goal. However Highland still had their opportunities as the Bluebirds were driving but fumbled the ball and Cooper’s Ryker Campbell recovered on the Cooper seven yard line with 1:17 left on the clock. Cooper could not move the ball and a short punt allowed Highlands to take the ball on the Cooper 24. However on third down Mason Stanton intercepted a Highland’s pass to stop the drive with 11 seconds remaining and ensure Cooper the victory.
Cooper recorded 221 yards of total offense and had one turnover and was penalized six times for 42 yards. Highlands recorded 263 yards of total offense, suffered two turnovers and was penalized four times for 40 yards.
Keagan Maher led Cooper’s ground game with 57 yards on 17 carries. Cam O’Hara carried the ball eight times for 36 yards. Cam O’Hara completed 11 of 20 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. Austin Alexander caught three passes for 50 yards and two touchdowns. Isaiah Johnmson added two receptions for 17 yards. Ryker Campbell also caught two passes for 14 yards. Keagan Maher added one reception for 27 yards. Jack Lonaker led the defense with eight solo and 10 assisted tackles. Ryker Campbell added seven solo and two assisted tackles and recovered a fumble. Lucas Hughes recorded five solo and two assisted tackles. Austin Perriman added four solo and one assisted tackles. Mason Stanton recorded three solo and one assisted tackles and intercepted a pass.
Cam Giesler led Highland’s ground game with 117 yards on 27 carries. Brody Benke carried the ball 15 times for 48 yards and a touchdown. Brody Benke completed seven of 16 passes for 76 yards with one interception. Adam Surrey completed his only pass for 15 yards and a touchdown. Jackson Arnold caught three passes for 33 yards and a touchdown. Adam Surrey added three receptions for 16 yards. Carson Class recorded one reception for 14 yards. Cam Giesler chipped in with one reception for 11 yards.
Scoring Summary
School | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
Cooper | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
Highlands | 0 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 15 |
COOPER | - | Austin Alexander 15 yard pass from Cam O’Hara (Carson Taylor kick) |
COOPER | -- | Austin Alexander 29 yard pass from Cam O’Hara (Carson Taylor kick) |
HIGHLAN | - | Safety Carson Shelton sacks Cam O’Hara in end zone |
HIGHLAN | - | Brody Benke 1 yard run (Logan Nickelman kick) |
HIGHLAN | - | Jackson Arnold 15 yard pass from Adam Surrey (Run fails fumbled snap) |
COOPER | - | Carson Taylor kicks a 35 yard field goal |
Selected Statistics
Cooper | ||||
| ||||
Rushing | No. | Yds. | Avg. | Long |
Keagan Maher | 17 | 57 | 3.4 | **** |
Cam O’Hara | 8 | 36 | 4.5 | **** |
| ||||
Passing | A-C-I | Yds. | TD | Long |
Cam O’Hara | 20-11-1 | 120 | 2 | **** |
| ||||
Receiving | No. | Yds. | TD | Long |
Austin Alexander | 3 | 50 | 2 | **** |
Isaiah Johnson | 2 | 17 | 0 | **** |
Ryker Campbell | 2 | 14 | 0 | **** |
Keagan Maher | 1 | 27 | 0 | **** |
Mason Stanton | 1 | 4 | 0 | **** |
Jaiden Combs | 1 | 6 | 0 | **** |
Malachi Ewell | 1 | 2 | 0 | **** |
| ||||
Highlands | ||||
| ||||
Rushing | No. | Yds. | Avg. | Long |
Cam Giesler | 27 | 117 | 4.3 | **** |
Brodyn Benke | 15 | 48 | 3.2 | **** |
Adam Surrey | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | **** |
| ||||
Passing | A-C-I | Yds. | TD | Long |
Brody Benke | 16-7-1 | 76 | 0 | **** |
Adam Surrey | 1-1-0 | 15 | 1 | **** |
| ||||
Receiving | No. | Yds. | TD | Long |
Jackson Arnold | 3 | 33 | 1 | **** |
Adam Surrey | 3 | 16 | 0 | **** |
Carson Class | 1 | 14 | 0 | **** |
Cam Giesler | 1 | 11 | 0 | **** |
Acknowledgements
A special thanks to the Cooper and Highlands Stats Crews for the comprehensive stats provided for tonight's games.
Please feel free to send your comments and questions concerning the event, teams, or players to me at prepgridiron@yahoo.com.
Ron Harrison’s reports on this and other football events appear on https://www.angelfire.com/ky2/prepgridiron.