2024 Cooper Schedule
Aug. 29, 2024
As sure as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, the Cooper Cougars will be in the Class 5A state football playoffs at season’s end. At least it’s been that way for 17 straight seasons.
Going back to 1992, the Cougars have reached the postseason in 29 of the last 32 seasons (1992-2003 and 2007-2023). So it should come as no surprise that the Cougars – who return seven starters on offense and eight on defense from last year’s team that reached the Class 5A Division II area round – have their eyes set on another trip to the postseason in 2024.
“We expect to be in the playoffs; that’s our standard,” said Aaron Roan, entering his seventh season as the Cougars’ head coach. “We must understand we will get the best from every opponent during the season. We’ve got a lot of guys back from last year’s team, and they expect to make another playoff run. To do that, we’ve got to stay healthy and develop some depth in some key positions.”
One of those returners on defense is junior edge rusher Dycin Davis, who will be one of the best players in the state and, next year, one of the most coveted recruits in Texas. Davis already has offers from nine Division I universities (Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Cal, Iowa, North Texas, Texas Tech, Texas-San Antonio, and UTEP), with more to come over the next year.
The 6-2, 225-pounder is coming off a sophomore season that saw him finish with 85 tackles, six sacks, one forced fumble, and 16 tackles for loss. He’s a disruptive force for a Cooper defense that should be the team's strength.
“Our defense had a good spring,” said Aaron Roan, entering his seventh season as the Cougars’ head coach. “We have experience in several position groups, which should allow us to play fast. We also need to work on creating some additional depth in other spots. But I believe we always lean on our defense early in the season as we gel offensively.”
Two-way starter Zavian Alexander (wide receiver and defensive back) also returns on the defense after earning first team all-district honors last year as a defensive back. Other defensive returners include linemen Alejandro Ibarra (first team all-district) and Esteban Lozano (second team all-district), linebackers Canon Adams (second team all-district), Cedric Brooks (honorable mention all-district), Caleb Guitierrez, and Treven Turner; and defensive backs Jeremiah Appel (first team all-district), Adam Gurule (second team all-district), and Jacob Bynum (honorable mention all-district).
Offensively, the Cougars return starting quarterback Austin Cummins, who threw for 978 yards and seven touchdowns, and Jaden Carrillo, who caught 36 passes for 313 yards and two touchdowns. Alexander caught 21 passes for 282 yards and two scores for the Coogs. Cummins was a second team all-district selection, while Carrillo was a first team all-district pick.
The Cougars are in good shape up front, with three returning starters – Kayden Bryan, Micah Flores, and G Carter – all selected honorable mention all-district in 2023.
“Austin has had a really good spring and summer,” Roan said of his starting quarterback. “He picked up where he left off at the end of the season. With a year of experience, he has a greater understanding and a lot of confidence. We return a good nucleus on offense. We have four guys up front with varsity experience, and we will lean on our offensive line. Zavian Alexander and Jaden Carrillo had great seasons last year as receivers; we expect the same from them this year. Peyton Ewing had a good sophomore year at running back (175 yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries) and had a great spring. Some young guys have been working extremely hard to fill impactful roles.”
Cooper’s district got a bit tougher during UIL realignment in February when Lubbock Cooper dropped to District 2-5A Division II, replacing Lubbock High, which moved up to District 2-5A Division I. Lubbock Cooper went to the playoffs the last two years in Division I, winning the district title two years ago. The Pirates join Cooper, Wylie, Amarillo Palo Duro, Plainview, and the new Wichita Falls ISD high schools – Legacy and Memorial – in the revamped District 2-5A Division II.
“This will be a very tough district from top to bottom,” Roan said. “Lubbock Cooper has a tradition of success, and Wylie will be in the mix. The new Wichita Falls schools will be athletic and well-coached. Palo Duro returns a lot of experienced players, and Plainview’s program has been making strides. We will have to go out and perform our best each game, and we’re excited about that opportunity.”
2024 COOPER COUGARS
• Coach (seasons as head coach / overall record): Aaron Roan (7th season / 41-28)
• Last season (overall record, district record, district finish): 5-7 overall (3-2, 3rd place in District 2-5A Division II)
• Last playoff appearance (year, result): 2023 (def. El Paso Chapin, 42-27, in bi-district; lost to Colleyville Heritage, 55-21, in area round)
• Last district championship (year): 2020 (6-0 in District 3-5A Division I)
• 2024 District and Opponents: District 2-5A Division II (Abilene Wylie, Amarillo Palo Duro, Lubbock Cooper, Plainview, Wichita Falls Legacy, Wichita Falls Memorial)
• Lettermen Returning / Lost: 26/24
• Starters Returning: 15 (7 offense, 8 defense)
• Top Returners (name, classification, position, 2023 honors): Dycin Davis, jr, DL (1st team All-District 2-5A); Zavian Alexander, sr, WR/DB (1st team All-District 2-5A); Jeremiah Appel, sr, DB (1st team All-District 2-5A); Alejandro Ibarra, sr, DL (1st team All-District 2-5A); Jayden Carrillo, jr, WR (1st team All-District 2-5A); Jayden Flores, jr, OL (1st team All-District 2-5A); Austin Cummins, sr, QB (2nd team All-District 2-5A); Adam Gurule, sr, DB (2nd team All-District 2-5A); Esteban Lozano, sr, DL (2nd team All-District 2-5A); Canon Adams, jr, LB (2nd team All-District 2-5A); Kayden Bryan, jr, OL (Honorable mention All-District 2-5A); Cedric Brooks, sr, LB (Honorable mention All-District 2-5A); Micah Flores, sr, OL (Honorable mention All-District 2-5A); Jacob Bynum, jr, DB (Honorable mention All-District 2-5A); Caleb Guitierrez, sr, LB ( ); G Carter, sr, OL (Honorable mention All-District 2-5A); Treven Turner, sr, LB.
• Top Newcomers (name, classification, position): Peyton Ewing, jr, RB; Marcus Andrade, jr, OL; Matthew Henson, sr, TE; Antonio Martinez, sr, FB; David Bacherini, sr, WR; Zaylon Johnson, fr, WR; Tayden Bender, fr, WR.