UNION, Ky. — Two high school football teams from Northern Kentucky are competing for state championships this weekend. One of those teams hasn’t been to the championship for more than 10 years.
Cooper High School is taking on the team it lost to in 2012 and hoping for different results. The Jaguars want to win, not just for themselves, but for the community that has supported them.
Head coach Randy Borchers has been there from the very beginning. He’s the only head coach the Cooper High School football team has ever had. The school started in 2008.
Now he has his team on the edge of greatness, even after losing a few games earlier this season.
“People kind of wrote us off after that, and these kids just kept battling. And we kind of became under the radar and kind of became the underdog and these kids really bought into that role,” Borchers said.
The Jaguars have won the last three games on the road against tough opponents.
“There weren’t many people outside our locker room that believed we had chances to win those games,” Borchers said.
Now, the Jaguars are in the Class 5A state championship game. Its opponent, Bowling Green, is the same team that beat them the last time they went to state in 2012. Bowling Green was the 2022 runner up team.
The championship will be the first matchup between Bowling Green and Cooper since 2012.
“Most of these guys were little kids when we were there last time, so I don’t think they truly understand that. They’re gonna come in with nerves, and when you’ve been there before, you’re a little bit more battle tested for that, so we’re gonna have to fight that right off the bat,” Borchers said. “It’s not easy to get here. And you got to kind of enjoy the experience because you may never get back.”
The Jaguars are a young team with only three seniors, each starting on offense and defense. Starting quarterback Cam O’Hara is just a sophomore, but carries himself like a veteran. For him, state championship week is just another week. He said he also doesn’t believe in superstitions.
“I’m more of just a routine guy. Just do my own thing — no superstitions or anything like that,” he said.
Like most of his teammates, O’Hara grew up in Union and knows how special a state title would be to his community.
“Just being able to be on this team and put Cooper on a stand, which not many people have been able to do, is just amazing. To be a part of this team, this experience is amazing,” O’Hara said.
What the Jaguars lack in experience, they make up for in confidence, which starts with their coach.
“I’ve said it every day this week, I’m gonna say it again today. We’re the better team. And we’re ready to go play,” Borchers told his team. “Everyone’s doubted us the last four weeks, right? What’s one more?”
He also addressed how much a win would mean for the fans who have supported them.
“Community’s been awesome for us, right? They’ve come through; they’ve stepped up. Let’s go reward them with a state championship,” Borchers said.
The players have bought into that message, as well.
“We’ll be ready, state champs,” O’Hara said.
Cooper will play Bowling Green on Kroger Field in Lexington this Saturday at 8 p.m.
Northern Kentucky’s other team at state, Covington Catholic, is competing for the 4A state title. CovCath plays Boyle County Friday night at 8 p.m.