Each year, the football game against Lubbock-Cooper is always a thrilling contest where each team wants to prove they are the best, and last Friday night Frenship took home the crown.
“This game represents why Texas high school football is so special,” Frenship Football Heach Coach Jay Northcutt said. “A crosstown rivalry, a packed house, a loud and exciting atmosphere.”
The Tigers defense was the stand out, with Isaiah Kema coming in clutch as he assisted with two goal line stands, holding the Pirates back from two touchdowns, and with the help of Kaden Meier and Ose Olumese making key plays on defense at critical times with multiple tackles and pass break ups.
The Tigers fought until the end, when with less than two minutes left in the game, the Pirates had the ball and were forging ahead for the touchdown. After the runner stepped out at the 2-yard line, the Frenship defense had some work to do.
Out of timeouts, the Pirates decided to forego the short kick, and on the last play, the Pirate quarterback hit the turf with a knee injury at the Frenship 1-yard line in the last seconds of the game. The Pirates were out of timeouts which ended the game, confirming the 14-13 Tigers’ victory.
“It was a very hard-fought game, both teams played to win and gave everything they had,” Northcutt said. “Defense was huge for us coming up with a turnover and two goal line stands. We all hated that it ended with an injury.”
After the game ended and the celebration erupted, a moment was captured where Frenship Center Chad M Pharies was kneeling next to the injured Lubbock-Cooper quarterback with his hand on his shoulder.
“I think it shows great sportsmanship,” Northcutt said. “As competitive as this rivalry is, many of these boys on both teams know each other and are friends. No one wanted the game to end with a player getting hurt and everyone here is pulling for Holt Gibson (LCP Quarterback) to not be seriously injured.”
Northcutt said that after celebrating last weekend, his team was ready to get back to work on Monday.
“Cooper was a big win against a very talented team, which will continue to boost our belief in our own abilities and what we are doing by playing many players on both sides of the ball,” Northcutt said. “Now we are focused on the Sandies, who are another very tough South Plains team with a great history of winning.”
The Frenship Tigers will travel to Amarillo High on Friday to battle at Dick Bivins Stadium. The game will be live-streamed by Frenship.TV HERE. You can also catch the live-stream by visiting the Frenship Athletics Facebook page or by using the BoxCast app on your streaming device.
If you are traveling to the game, you can purchase tickets HERE. Don't forget that Dick Bivins Stadium has a clear bag policy!