FRENSHIP VS LCP: THE ALL-ACCESS PREVIEW
Yes, it’s already week three of the 2021 football season so that can only mean one thing: It’s Frenship vs Lubbock-Cooper week! Last year’s game was a classic as Jordan Kirkpatrick secured an interception late for the Pirates‘ win at Texas Tech’s Jones Stadium. In 2019, the game went into four overtime’s with the Tigers prevailing in a classic! So, what do we have to look forward to here for 2021’s edition? Here’s my all-access preview below!
FRENSHIP VS LUBBOCK-COOPER
FRIDAY NIGHT, 7PM
PEOPLE’S BANK STADIUM
WOLFFORTH, TX
GAME COVERAGE FOR 806HSSC IS SPONSORED BY: THAD POLITTE AT HAYES MOTOR COMPANY
FRENSHIP TIGERS: 2-6A DII
RECORD 2-0:
28-26 over Coronado
62-0 over Clovis
Frenship’s 2021 team is loaded! Offensively, the Tigers boast the best lineman combo in West Texas with Isaiah Kema (9 DI offers, C/O 2023) and Karson Jones (6 DI offers, C/O 2022 Verbal commit to Houston) and Taija Smith is a dangerous tailback with breakaway speed. Chad Pharies is the leader of Coach Northcutt’s ship and he commands it well as he threw for over 250 yards and four touchdowns against Clovis Friday night at an %80 percent clip! On defense, Frenship posted a shutout against Clovis and had the big interception against the Mustangs in week one to secure their 2-0 record.
LUBBOCK-COOPER PIRATES 3-5A DII
RECORD 2-0
27-0 over Andrews
28-7 over Coronado
The Pirates, in my opinion, have the best defense in 5A DII; led by Kyler Jordan (18 offers, C/O 2022 Baylor Verbal Commit) and Kobie Mckinzie. (16 offers, C/O 2022 Oklahoma Verbal Commit) 2022 Cornerback Juraylin Shaw is also a speedy, lethal player that runs a sub-4.4 40 and had a pick-six against the Mustangs of Coronado Friday night. Kyle Lewis is also a great leader on defense and is used some in the special team’s area as well. Their defense hasn’t given up a point in two games. On offense, Holt Gibson (2022 ACU baseball commit) is the QB1 and has some weapons to work with even though tailback Kaleb Stripling is out due to a high-ankle sprain. Cooper Morris is starting to really come of age at receiver and they will need him against a bigger Frenship secondary that is proven and battle-tested.
FRENSHIP WINS IF:
The Tigers can control the line of scrimmage and wear the Pirates’ defense down late. Frenship has an explosive offense and Lubbock-Cooper has a championship-caliber defense. So, to me, whoever can win this battle head-to-head will have a clear advantage on the scoreboard Friday night. I think the Tigers are going to put some points on the board because their offense is just too good! Tate Beeles is the real deal at wide receiver and there has to be one corner on him and a safety over the top, or it’s going to be some trouble in the city.
LUBBOCK-COOPER WINS IF:
Their defense can force some turnovers and create some points on that side of the ball. Now, Coach Chip Darden is a heck of a coach, but there have been some struggles offensively this season. They may get things going in the right direction in this game and it would be right on time as they will need some points against the Tigers and that ruckus crowd and atmosphere. Their defense needs to keep the pressure up and force some turnovers, if possible in this contest. The Pirates need to hang around and take this game late if they are going to win. This game can’t get into shootout mode as I feel that’s Frenship’s game and what they are used to. This has to be won defensively between the hash marks.
I honestly think both of these teams will be in the playoffs and be a factor with a chance to win their respective districts this season. Let the games begin!