A large crowd from both Flower Mound Marcus and Coppell High School filed into the Coppell gym last night for a highly anticipated matchup between two top state ranked teams.  The uncommonly big crowd resulted in the Coppell fans living up to their call of duty.  A powerful “I believe that we will win” chant led by plunger boy Teddy Croft was a great way to start off the game with energy and enthusiasm for Coppell volleyball.  This atmosphere was made even better by two Coppell students who excitedly took advantage of the opportunity to ask girls to homecoming.

Senior Kierra Holst got the Cowgirls off to a great start by beginning the game with a huge spike down the middle.  It appeared that Coppell’s height advantage would be an A run took Marcus to a 12-11 lead.  Loud cheers from the Marcus fans required a retaliating cheer from the Coppell fans, saying “We can’t hear you!”.  The Marcus Middle Blocker repeatedly made crucial blocks throughout the game to lead her team to victory of game one.

Bear Bass started things off with a serve that Marcus responds to with point number one.  Game two consisted of a great deal of rowdy chants by the Coppell fans.  Eventually, fans were told that no more chants directed at an individual player would be tolerated.  This suppression of the crowd undoubtedly lead to a decrease in high-level performance by the Cowgirls.  Sisters Cassidy and Kylie Pickrell played a great second game with wonderful play on the front and back rows, but in the end it was not enough

“We need to have more confidence as a team in order to win.  It’s our mental approach that’s costing us,” Cassidy Pickrell said.

Game 3 was ultimately the clinching game of the match.  The Cowgirls were not able to play well enough in the earlier stages of the game with star Chiaka Ogbogu sitting on the bench for the majority of the game.  A 6-0 run by Marcus ultimately shifted the momentum too far in their favor, resulting in a crushing loss for the Cowgirls.

“We know we can still improve, and tonight we saw that we are capable of being beat.  We will work harder than anyone to be the best,” Ogbogu said.

Coming off an impressive 9-2 win on Thursday night in the opening game of the series, the Coppell Cowboys will look to win their first round playoff series tonight with a victory over Flower Mound.

The Cowboys, who were able to take advantage of home field advantage in the series opener, will travel to Flower Mound tonight for the second game of the series. A victory would clinch the best of three series for Coppell, making it a must win game for Flower Mound.

Coppell sends perhaps their most consistent pitcher of the year to the mound tonight in junior Conner Foltyn. The lefthander went 7-0 during the regular season with a 3.90 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 46.2 innings pitched.

The game tonight is scheduled to begin at 7:00. Should Flower Mound win tonight to even the series at 1-1, Coppell will host the third and deciding game tomorrow afternoon at 1:00.

With a second round loss looming from last year’s playoffs, this Cowboy bunch, which contains many of the same players from last season’s roster, was eager to start of this postseason on a positive note.

And Coppell did not disappoint as the team put together a 9-2 thrashing of this year’s first round foe in the Flower Mound Jaguars. The home affair with the Jags is the first of a three game series that continues Friday night.

The Cowboys’ potent offense, which has been punishing pitchers all year long, posted a modest nine runs on the board. With that mark, the offense extended its streak of at least seven runs in a game to seven straight games.  Shortstop Adam Toth added his seventh homerun for the season, which leads the team.

However, the hero tonight was Cowboys’ starter Jake Elliot and his ability to limit the Jags to two runs on five hits. The sophomore was able to be effective against a lineup that allotted eight runs on the Cowboys in early April during a game that the Jags eventually won.

On Friday night, the two cross town teams will matchup in Flower Mound for game two at 7:00 p.m.

Staff Writer

The 2011 Coppell Cowboys hockey team is loaded with talent and huge potential. No one questions that. Coppell Hockey Board of Directors President Kent Howard called the team “very physical, very fast” and the team had very high expectations before the season.

However, this season, that talent and potential hasn’t always translated into victory.

It has been a roller coaster ride of a season for the Cowboys. At times, they have dominated the ice, such as their 8-0 rout of Flower Mound. At other times, however, the Cowboys have been the victims of a beat-down themselves, such as their 6-0 loss to Southlake Carroll.

The team is currently 9-9-2 (nine wins, nine losses, and two overtime losses) after 19 games, with only one contest remaining. Their dreams of eclipsing, or even repeating, last year’s 3rd place finish at the State Tournament seems nearly impossible at this point.

Their hopes were dashed even further tonight (March 1) when the Cowboys were dealt a heartbreaking 2-1 overtime loss to a formiddable Plano squad, the current 2nd place team. The Cowboys’ only remaining opponent is Allen, who they will take on next Thursday for an attempt to finish the season with 10 wins.

Allen (13-6-0) is another intimidating opponent, holding 3rd place in the Varsity Gold standings. The Cowboys have played close games against the Eagles earlier in the season (losing both meetings 3-2) so the Cowboys have a good chance of obtaining revenge and ending the season on a high note.

It has been a season of ups-and-downs for Coppell Hockey, and although they did not repeat last year’s success, it was a great effort by the Cowboys and was a good experience for the young team as they begin preparations for next season.

The Coppell Cowgirls volleyball team took on Flower Mound and Plano West Tuesday night. The Cowgirls didn’t even break a sweat beating Flower Mound, 25-14, 25-12, and 25-10. The girls fought hard in the game against Plano West but ended up losing, 20-25, 29-27, 18-25, and 12-25.

In the Flower Mound game Erica Bohannon lead with five kills and four blocks. Cassidy Pickrell led with nine digs, and Bear Bass lead the team with 4 aces and 9 assists. 

During the tough match against Plano West senior Captain Chandler Hatton lead with 11 kills. Chiaka Ogbagu led with seven blocks, followed by Shelby Mason who had five. Libero Kristen Dickerson had 24 digs. The girls played well and it was a disappointing loss.

The girls now have a 18-6 record and hope to improve it on Friday when they will play Arlington Martin.

After losing six Division I players last year, the Coppell baseball team has done better than expected so far this season.

As of right now, the Cowboys are in 2^nd place in the district with a 6-4 record, following the undefeated Flower Mound Jaguars with a record of 10-0. Coppell played their biggest rival, Flower Mound, on March 13 and ended up losing the close, high scoring game with a final score of 15-17.

“It would have been cool to beat Flower Mound just because they are our biggest rival this year,” senior Parker Hutchins said. “I also wish we would have been the first team all year to beat them in a district game. We played our best, though, and it was a close game.”

Coppell only has 5 more district games to play, so they are working hard in order to be prepared for them and be ready to advance to the playoffs.

According to some of the players, the fans, including the Diamond Dolls in particular, have provided a lot of support this year.

“When I look up into the stands during a game, it really puts me in a good mood and pumps me up to see all of the Diamond Doll’s in their red shirts,” senior captain Zane Feemster said. “The Diamond Dolls do much more than most people think, and I think it is really cool that we have a group to support us as much as they do.”

The Diamond Dolls helped out at the First Pitch Dinner at the Valley Ranch Baptist church, which was the first baseball event of the year.

“We really enjoyed having the Diamond Dolls at the First Pitch Dinner this year,” Denise Hernandez said. “They helped us a lot by selling raffle tickets and were willing to do anything we needed them to do. I think that having a group to support the baseball team like that is a great idea and something that should continue in the future.”

Senior Caroline Cauley took over the position as the leader of the Diamond Dolls after Erin Dickerson started the group last year. Caroline takes on tasks such as texting and Facebook messaging all the girls in the group about game dates and times, encouraging them to bring treats for the players after the game and telling the girls what days to wear the Diamond Doll shirts.

“I am very happy to have the position as the leader for the Diamond Dolls,” Cauley said. “I absolutely love baseball and all of the players. They are a really great group of boys and I am happy that we can support them this year. It’s been a great year so far and we just hope that the team continues to do well for the rest of the season.”

With the help and support from the fans and Diamond Dolls, the Cowboys hope to win their last few games of the regular season and be prepared for the beginning of playoffs.

On Friday March 12, both Coppell boys and girls soccer team have their last District game of the season.

Girls play Flower Mound at Buddy Echols Field. JV 2 starts at 4:30 p.m., JV 1 starts at approximately 6 p.m., and varsity starts around 7:30 p.m.

Although the Cowgirls already clenched the first place spot of District 6-5A for playoffs, tonight is Senior Night honoring all the senior players and their soccer careers at CHS.

Boys play Flower Mound at Flower Mound High School. JV 2 starts at 4:30 p.m., JV 1 at 6 p.m., and varsity approximately starts at 7:30 p.m. The last meet ended with a tie at 0-0 so tonight both teams will be seeking out the win.

What a great way to start the spring break by cheering on either team to their last victory before playoffs.

Every year, Coppell boys soccer team hold a Fill the Stands Night where they try to get lots of Coppell fans to come out and support the boys teams.

Usually, the night is the home game against Flower Mound Marcus but due to the snow cancelation last Friday, they moved the night to this Friday Febuary 19 against Flower Mound.

There are many exciting things going on this night. There are raffles and fun prizes for all the fans to win during all three games and the first 100 students get in free for the varsity game.

JV 2 is scheduled to start at 4:30 pm at Buddy Echols Field with JV following at 6 pm and Varsity after that at approximately 7:30 pm.

So come support the Cowboys against the Jaguars and win a few fun prizes too.

Staff Writer

The matchups are set and the second season is ready for action. The District 6-5A race has been compelling to watch, coming down the final Friday night for the second straight season. Now the four qualifiers go into battle the state’s best.

Coppell avoided a scary situation in which they would be in a high stakes battle with Euless Trinity in the first round by beating Flower Mound last Friday. They forcefully handed that right over to Flower Mound. Flower Mound Marcus kicked Hebron out of the dance; it faces a Grapevine team they have already defeated this season.

This district has prepared these four teams, Southlake Carroll, Coppell, FM Marcus and Flower Mound for the difficult road that is the postseason. The great thing about it is, now you’re tested. You’ve been in some close games and won the majority of them so you’re prepared for it in the playoffs. It’s hard to argue district 6-5A isn’t the toughest in the area.

It’s been a surprise watching Coppell play this well with a new coach and new system. I didn’t think highly of them coming into the season but now I see a team that could really make a deep run. I’m not one to make a bunch of bold predictions, but I legitimately believe the Cowboys will go three rounds deep and be pitted in a match up with Euless Trinity in the Region I final.

College

Finally Iowa loses, if you haven’t heard, 17-10 to Northwestern. It was only a matter time after they had been trailing in multiple games this season. The Hawkeyes are not all that good; I believe Florida and Texas would beat them by 20 plus points. I don’t mean to beat a dead horse but the path seems to get clearer and clearer every week that Texas will meet the winner of the SEC championship game that is now set. Pending the end of the regular season, of course.

You what’s embarrassing? Oklahoma. I can’t fathom their downfall. I realize the loss of Heisman winning quarterback Sam Bradford and All-American tight end Jermaine Gresham has been devastating but a 10-3 loss to a Nebraska team that isn’t real good is mind-boggling.

One thing I will say, TCU can beat anyone in the country. A trip to a BCS bowl for the Horned Frogs would give that program some much deserved national attention.

Professional

Oh how things can change. Four weeks ago everyone was sure the New York Giants were the best team in the league. Now we’re wondering if they will make the playoffs. On the other side the spectrum, the Dallas Cowboys are playing their best football in years. I wasn’t a believer in them before Sunday night as they had not beaten anyone significant (yes, Atlanta is a good football team but Dallas was at home, coming off a bye week) and I didn’t like their continued struggles in close games. I now view this team in a much different light. A 9-2 record looks very feasible before heading to the Meadowlands for a showdown with the Giants. The Saints are the best in the league, just sayin.’

District 6-5A bi-district game predictions:

Coppell 35, Keller 21

Euless Trinity 38, Flower Mound 17

Grapevine 24, Flower Mound Marcus 42

Southlake Carroll 31, Colleyville Heritage 10

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 to a mere field goal and continued their aerial assault on the Cowboys.

Flower Mound junior quarterback Paul Millard had a great game throwing for 431 yards and three touchdowns in a losing effort.  Millard would be right on target to his receivers but then the Coppell line-backing corp and safeties were ready to punish the Jaguar receivers.

Junior line-backer Brandon Mullins had an amazing game with 14 tackles and an interception that led to a Coppell score at the end of the second quarter to give the Cowboys momentum going into halftime.

The second half was all Coppell as they used the momentum built before the half to pummel and out score the Jaguars 21-7 in the final half. 

The Cowboys now have the Keller Indians to get ready for in their opening first round match up.  Junior Cam McDaniel may be a key performer in these playoffs, getting a chance to start this season with the absence of Evans Okatcha.

“Looking at the bracket, I really like our chances to go far,” McDaniel said. “We will have to play perfect football against talented opponents but being in such a tough district should have prepared us for tough match-ups.”

If the Cowboys want to go far, many think they should stick to their strategy during the season, hoping their suffocating defense and high powered offense will boost them into rounds that no other Coppell team before has experienced.

Photo Gallery by Caitlin Conner

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