Cooper slings DeQuincy to victory

Published 10:07 am Saturday, November 7, 2015

LAKE ARTHUR — DeQuincy relied on a balanced offense and an opportunistic defense in a 36-16 over Lake Arthur Friday night.

Quarterback Jake Cooper led DeQuincy with 220 passing yards and three touchdowns and completed 11 of 17 passes. He also added a rushing touchdown of his own. DeQuincy’s defense allowed two touchdowns while forcing three fumbles and an interception. 

“This contest between these two programs has always come down to who can be more physical the longest and a turnover battle,” said DeQuincy head coach Charlie Smith. “Sometimes it’s them. Sometimes it’s us. It is always a great ballgame. It never matters about records here. We did a good job of being physical and taking care of the football. That was our game plan. We knew we had to match their physicality and take care of the football.”

In the first quarter, DeQuincy (3-7, 2-3) scored first when Cooper connected with Jared Nash on a 76-yard touchdown pass. Lake Arthur (5-5, 2-3) responded with a 12-play drive capped by a Michael Ware 6-yard touchdown run. However, when DeQuincy regained possession, Cooper again connected on a long pass, this time hitting Samuel Whatley, who took the ball 62 yards into the end zone. 

DeQuincy finished the first quarter with a 14-8 lead, but they were not done there. Whatley and Cooper connected from 10 yards out for Cooper’s third touchdown pass, and DeQuincy went into the half with a 22-8 lead. 

Lake Arthur did have scoring chances in the first half, but miscues put Lake Arthur in an early hole. On their first possession, after driving to DeQuincy’s 7-yard line, Lake Arthur fumbled the ball. At the beginning of the second quarter, Lake Arthur fumbled once again, this time deep in their own territory. Additionally, Lake Arthur drove into DeQuincy territory in the second quarter, but turned the ball over on downs at DeQuincy’s 44-yard line. DeQuincy went on to score on their ensuing possession.

“We just didn’t show up to play,” said Lake Arthur head coach Mark Deshotel. “We had five turnovers, and we missed I don’t know how many tackles. We had people around the ball but just didn’t make tackles. You aren’t going to beat anybody like that. It doesn’t matter who you are playing. We just didn’t show up tonight and perform. Nothing went our way.”

“We definitely have to eliminate mistakes,” Deshotel said. “We have to perform better. Blocking, tackling, holding on to the ball — maybe a focus issue. It’s hot tonight, but the other team played in the heat too.”