For 47 minutes and 40 seconds, Armstrong never trailed against Robbinsdale School District rival Cooper. Staked to a first-quarter lead by the offense, the Falcons' defense repeatedly kept the Hawks out of the end zone, including a fourth-and-goal stop at the 6-yard line with two minutes left in the fourth quarter.

But when the Falcons needed one final stop with 20 seconds left, Hawks junior quarterback Cameron King connected with receiver Phoenix Sproles on a 41-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline to lift Cooper to a 16-14 victory that spoiled Armstrong’s home opener on Friday.

“We tell our kids that even in life, the game is not over until it is over,” Cooper coach Wille Howard said. “We knew this was going to be a battle. It’s no different than a Stanford-Cal game or a Minnesota-and-Wisconsin game because records get put aside and it’s about pride.”

What could have been Falcons’ revenge after a 26-6 loss to the Hawks last season turned into a highlight-reel, game-winning reception for Sproles. 

After the score, Armstrong had a chance to get into field goal range, but Cooper’s Sproles intercepted a pass to seal it.

“This game is for all of District 281 and the Robbinsdale Armstrong Cooper ACYFA,” said Brown, referring to the local youth football organization. “It’s just good for the entire community.”

Cooper quarterback Cameron King connected on a 41-yard passing touchdown to Phoenix Sproles with 20 seconds left in the fourth quarter to lift the Hawks to a 16-14 victory over Armstrong.

The touchdown gave Cooper its first lead of the game.

On Armstrong's final drive, the Hawks' Phoenix Sproles intercepted a pass to end the game.

Cooper spoiled Armstrong's home opener and improved to 3-0. The Falcons drop to 1-2.

Check back later for more on the game.