Cougars squash Harbor, Cooper tops 1,000 yards

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The final game for the San Lorenzo Valley High School football team ended on a high note as the Cougars pounded Harbor High 54-6 on the Pirates home field Nov. 12.
Jonny Cooper played like a man possessed and ran for 162 yards and four touchdowns for the Cougars while throwing another.
“That was the way to end it,” said SLV head Coach Doug Morris. “It has been tough on these kids. They have been through a lot so it is always good when every player on the team gets to see game time.”
Cooper, a running back who was plagued with injuries his junior season eclipsed the 1,000 yard rushing mark in the Cougars final game and finished his senior season with 1,027 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns and two passing touchdowns.
With senior quarterback Tyler Gilbert sidelined due to injury, Cooper took over quarterback duties and SLV came at Harbor running a wildcat offense that the Pirates never figured out a way to stop.
“That was really cool,” said Cooper. “I wasn’t event thinking about 1000 yards but I am proud to have earned it.”
With help from a number of Pirate fumbles and mishaps SLV was up 34-0 just 17 seconds into the second quarter.
The Cougars started the season as favorites to repeat as the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League Champions after sweeping the league with a 6-0 record last season. A number of key injuries and an offense that seemed to sputter at best, kept the Cougars from being in the top tier of SCCAL action this year.
In the game, SLV (4-6 overall, 2-4 Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League) had touchdowns from Nate Loofbourrow, Ian Reavey, and Derek Poetzinger along with Coopers’ four scores. Reavey, normally an offensive lineman, caught a tackle eligible pass 13 yards out and bowled over a number of defenders while capitalizing on his rare opportunity. He dove into the end zone for the score.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Cougars stole away three interceptions and two fumbles from the Pirates who never got things working on offense.
Cooper moved into the No.6 all time on the SLV rushing chart and the seniors at SLV can hold their heads high as they head into the winter sports season.
As the Cougars thanked their fans for the last time, senior Captain Cole Morris fought back tears as he shouted to his teammates, “One more time for our fans boys, I love you guys you are all my brothers… one-two-three Thank You Cougar Fans!”