Cougars: Second half brought improvements
Copper Basin’s Cougars faced 58 players lined up on the opposite side of the field, the bright lights of a cross-county rivalry, and the normal first game jitters of making a mistake when they opened their 2024 season in Benton Friday night, August 23.
The Cougars also lost starting running back Hayden Deal who was injured in the second quarter and went out for the rest of the game.
But by the end of the game, all those obstacles hadn’t stopped the team from seeing some bright spots, building confidence and having fun playing football.
First year head coach Brett Graves said he told the team at halftime, “Let’s go out and have some fun.” By that time the Cougars had found themselves on the short end of a 40-0 score.
Graves said he saw the players were “afraid to make a mistake early.” They were tight despite all the scrimmages they played to get ready for opening night.
The game began with Polk County controlling both sides of the line of scrimmage.
The first play of the second quarter saw Copper Basin pick up its first first down. Then a long pass from Drew Crowder to Talon Smith moved the ball into Polk County territory at the 45 yard line. The Cougars converted on a fourth and nine when Crowder hit Carder Lance for a first down at the 34. Copper Basin closed in on the goal line, but eventually turned the ball over on downs.
The drive helped the Cougars loosen up as the quarter moved along, and with Graves’ halftime encouragement, bright spots began popping up on both sides of the ball.
Copper Basin opened the final 24 minutes of play with an onside kick by Mason Anderson that Smith recovered on Polk County’s 45.
The Cougars again marched toward the end zone. Basin moved to inside the 10, but couldn’t cross the goal line.
With a continuous clock running in the second half, the Cougars chances to mount a comeback were limited.
Graves said the game was a “tough start” for the Basin squad, but was pleased with several performances and improvements he saw. Smith, a senior, gained a total of 85 yards. Floyd, a first time Cougar, recorded a solo tackle and four assists. Lance, also a senior, made a special teams impact by blocking a punt and extra point. Nate Spencer had 109 yards in kickoff returns.
Graves credited linemen Zachary Beach and Eli Henderson for “leading the way” from their positions.
Friday night, the Cougars will host Youth Night for the recreation league players when Grace Academy comes to town for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. The visitors will be coming off a 63-0 defeat of Lookout Valley, so Graves is looking toward another “challenge” for Copper Basin.
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(Editor’s note: Thatcher McWhorter and Josh Burkett contributed to this story).