Through a blanket of two-inch snow and a less than spectacular season to boot, nothing seems to stop the jinx Cooper has over Abilene High.

Since 1966 the score has always been in favor of the Cougars in the annual cross-town confrontation. The year 1976 was to be different. The Eagles were graded far superior than their counter-parts. Ahs had the better team record and team personnel.

Apparently, the Cougars hadn’t heard about their opponent’s superiority. Cooper took the field Friday night at Shotwell Stadium and extended its string of victories to 11. The final score: Cooper 14, AHS 0.

It began in an unusual fashion for the Cougars. Cooper grabbed the opening kickoff and proceeded to march toward the end zone. Scoring drives haven’t come at a rapid rate for the Cougars in recent games. But, the southside crew got this one started at its 27 and stopped some 73 yards later consuming some three minutes of the clock.

Senior wingback Randy Jones was the biggest influence in the march, gaining some 61 yards in five carries. Jones latched on to a handoff from quarterback Mark Beale at the Eagles 36 on fought and inches and sped around the left side for the touchdown. Richard Williams came on to boot the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

Just as the snowfall began to pick up after the touchdown, the Eagles’ downfall began to settle.

Cooper punter Brian Bailey got off a short punt from his eight-yard line after the struck a teammate and rolled to the 16. AHS took over and three plays netted just six yards. On fourth down from the 12, Glen Stirman tossed a pass into a crowded area and Orr swiped it at the three.

Again another shot at the Cougars’ 43-yard line following a Mark Hogan fumble, AHS muffed its second scoring chance in the second period. A Stirman to Vuree Williams pass of 30 yards, the largest gainer of the night, carried the Warbirds to the 17. Again the offense failed to generate much yardage and again Stirman dropped back on fourth down. While back peddling, Stirman slipped and fell to allow Cooper possession of the ball.

Stirman, who found it difficult passing on a snow-covered turf while under a hard Cooper rush, had three passes stolen by the Cougars. His second interception fell into the waiting arms of Sam Houston midway during the third quarter.

The turnover eventually led to the second Cooper touchdown. The scoring drive consumed 22 yards with Orr bulling his way over from the six. Before the touchdown was to come, Orr figured in a crucial third down play at the 18. The senior tailback fumbled a handoff, but picked the ball off the turf in time to get the needed yardage.

From that stage on until the final buzzer, it became a matter of give-and-take in the fourth stanza. Cooper gave the ball away on three occasions inside the 30 and still managed to come out of it alive as AHS had one drive to stall on an interception and two on fourth down failures.

About the time the Eagles believed they had found the snow-covered end zone on a Stirman to K.D. Roberts pass of 25 yards with 6:32 left, the officials called the play back because of holding.

Following that play, the Cougars’ defense and snow never let up over AHS. The Cougars concluded the season at 4-6 and 2-5 in district. AHS was 4-6 and 3-4.

Abilene High 0 0 0 0—0

Cooper 7 0 7 0—14

First Quarter

Cooper — Randy Jones 36 run (Williams kick)

Third Quarter

Cooper — Tim Orr 6 run (Williams kick)

Cooper Abilene High

First Downs 8 6

Rushing yards 198 47

Passing-yards 16 77

Comp-Att-Int 2-4-0 8-18-3

Punts 6-41.3 6-37.6

Fumbles lost 4 1

Penalties-yards 3-17 1-10

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Cooper: Tim Orr 13-81, 1 TD; Randy Jones 8-66, 1 TD; Mike Hogan, 15-46; Mark Beale 6-15; Brian Bailey 1-(-10). AHS: Joe Diggs 14-40; Reggie Fields 5-10; Joe Jones 2-10; Glen Stirman 7-4; Herman Payback Reece 5-(-17).

PASSING — Cooper: Beale 2-4-0, 16 yards. AHS: Stirman 8-18-3, 77 yards.

RECEIVING — Cooper: Randy Roy 1-8; Jim Cook 1-8. AHS: Vuree Williams 1-30; Joe Diggs 1-14; K.D. Roberts 1-13; Terry Austin 1-10; Reece 1-7; Jones 2-3.

PUNTING — Cooper: Bailey 6-41.3. AHS: Shedd 6-37.6.