New football season brings new opportunities, challenges for Cowboys

Thomas Hair Staff Writer Until the final second of the final game, last year’s Coppell Cowboys football season was a glorious one. Characterized by colossal victories and a District 7-5A title, last season cemented Coppell’s place as one of the elite football programs in the state. Saying that there is pressure for this year’s team to succeed would be a massive understatement. “The expectations are really high since the guys from last year really put us on the map,” sophomore defensive back Troy Parker said. “So everyone’s really looking up to that for us to keep our record up.” But this year’s team is not the same as its predecessors. The Cowboys lost many starters…

McDaniel, Okotcha taking their talents to South Bend

By Abby Drake Staff Writer Rarely do high schools get the chance to send football players to Notre Dame, but Coppell High School is sending two. Senior running back Cam McDaniel and senior cornerback Bennett Okotcha orally committed to play football for the Fighting Irish. Over 10 universities had their eye on McDaniel and Okotcha, but both decided that Notre Dame is the best school for their education, football and future. “Throughout the recruiting process I went to camps and visited schools, just waiting for the right school to come along,” McDaniel said. “Notre Dame was right for me because when it comes to football everyone knows what the football program is all about and…

Minden embraces role as staring quarterback, leader

By Peter Sblendorio Sports Editor Coppell senior quarterback Joe Minden is the type of player that allows his work on the football field speak for itself. Serving last season as the back-up quarterback, Minden rarely saw the field on Friday nights.  According to senior running back Cam McDaniel, Minden demonstrated an impressive work ethic, practicing as hard as any other player throughout the season and being as prepared for each game as any of the Cowboy starters despite his unglamorous role. Moving into the starting role in 2010, Minden has embraced the opportunity to be the head of the offense. “It’s an honor to be able to lead my team,” Minden said. “There’s a lot…

Coppell shuts down Jags, wins 13-0

By Peter Sblendorio The Cowboys kicked off the 2010 football season with a bang on Friday night, beating the Mesquite Horn Jaguars 13-0. Coppell pounded the ball all night with an effective running game led by senior Cam McDaniel, who tallied 218 yards on 44 carries and accounted for both of the Cowboy’s touchdowns. Senior quarterback Joe Minden also played well in his debut as the starter, completing 14 of 22 passes for 146 yards. The game had a relatively slow-tempo for most of the first half, with the Cowboys breaking a scoreless tie on a rushing touchdown by McDaniel with 1:38 left before halftime. McDaniel ran in it again in third quarter in what…

Spring game brings taste of what is to come

by Blake Seitz Sports Editor Last season, the Cowboys advanced to the third round of playoffs before losing to Arlington in a 31-29 heartbreaker. Still smarting from the loss, the Cowboys hope to capitalize on its returning talent to make an even further playoff push this season. Yesterday, the team had its annual spring game to showcase its progress before the season. The first squad offense played against the first squad defense, and the second squad offense played against the second squad defense. The purpose of the spring game is to give fans a glimpse of the team’s new talent. While not as strongly attended as regular season Coppell games, there was still a sizeable…

Cowboys defeat Flower Mound Jaguars 45-24

By Andy Tabor Staff Writer The Coppell football team stamped their first round ticket against Keller by beating the Flower Mound Jaguars Friday night, 45-24.  Coppell was led on offense by senior quarterback Hayden Hawk. Hawk had 353 yards throwing and four touchdowns in the game, cementing himself as a top quarterback in district 6-5A.  Hawk also led the Cowboys to one of Coppell’s best records ever. “At the beginning of the year I thought this was a possibility.” Hawk said. “To see that it came true is a great accomplishment.” To start the game however, Flower Mound looked like the sharper team, scoring on their opening drive of the game.  They held the Cowboys…

Dragons snuff out Cowboys’ winning streak

by Blake Seitz Sports Editor No one who watched the first five minutes of last night’s game at Dragon Stadium could’ve been able to predict the end result, a 24-6 Cowboy loss. The excitement in the stands was already electric with an hour to go before kickoff, as both teams prepared for the first game of district play—a grudge match at that. “We tried not to get too wrapped up in revenge,” senior defensive end Jackson Richards recalled after the game. “It was the big game because it was the next game.” Rivalry-fueled or otherwise, play in the first half reflected all of what’s great about Texas high school football. Coppell took the kick and,…

Q&A: Players comment on Southlake showdown

by Blake Seitz, Nathan Reck and Andy Tabor Q: What does Coppell have to do to win Friday? A: We just have to play our game and not worry that they’re Southlake. We need to score points and hit people–we’re a big-hitting team. We thrive on takeaways and turnovers. Q: What do you expect Southlake’s defense to bring to the table? A: I’m expecting them to be fast and more disciplined than most teams. They’re smaller, though, so we should be able to handle them. Q: What is Coppell’s mindset going into Friday night? A: We’re coming into this game excited, and I think we can damage them. If we go out and play like we’ve been playing, we’re not only…

Cowboys stomp Weatherford Kangaroos 42-0

by Blake Seitz Sports Editor On homecoming, 2008, the Cowboys defeated Weatherford 49-6. This year’s game on the Kangaroo’s turf held less importance than last year’s, without the garish display of mums and garters, but yielded a similar result: the Cowboys won, 42-0. Junior running back Cam McDaniel once again made an impact, proving just as evasive and just as powerful as in games past. He averaged five yards per carry, with one touchdown. The standout player of the night on the ground, however, proved not to be McDaniel but junior running back Rene Meza, who closed out Weatherford with 85 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns, both pile pushers. Senior quarterback Hayden Hawk,…