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Cooper powers up in second half, shuts out Park Center

By Nick Williams, special to the Star Tribune, 09/30/16, 7:15PM CDT

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After a scoreless first half, the Hawks scored 21 points in the third quarter en route to a 35-0 victory and a first-ever 5-0 record under coach Willie Howard.

Phoenix Sproles (7) of Robbinsdale runs towards the endzone, 32 of Park Center attempted a tackle but failed. Robbinsdale Cooper defeated Park Center 35-0 away at Park Center. Photo by Chris Juhn

Robbinsdale Cooper's Phoenix Sproles (7) runs towards the end zone while a Park Center defender attempts to make a tackle late in the Hawks' 35-0 road victory Friday night. Photo by Chris Juhn, SportsEngine

Two years ago Cooper made it to 3-0 before losing its first game. Last season the Hawks reached 4-0 before losing to Park Center. On Friday, playing the Pirates again, the Hawks took another step in the right direction, posting a convincing 35-0 victory to improve to 5-0.

The Hawks did it with a 21-point third quarter after a scoreless first half in which the Pirates forced four turnovers — three on interceptions — but failed to score.

“It’s something we haven’t done before,” said coach Willie Howard, in his seventh year. “We would go 4-0 and we’d lose the fifth game. For us, we’d talk about going 1-0 and then 1-0 and now by continuing to play one game at a time, we’ve accomplished 5-0.”

Cooper scored on an eight-play, 52-yard drive to open the third quarter, capped by Cameron King’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Brown. Park Center fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and the ball was recovered in the end zone by Cooper’s Terrance Nicholson.

Phoenix Sproles scored on a 49-yard punt return with 22 seconds left in the third quarter. The Hawks added fourth-quarter touchdowns on Nascier Borden’s 1-yard run and Nate Hill’s 53-yard interception return.

Park Center (1-4) had an apparent touchdown in the first quarter negated by a penalty. The Pirates also missed a 40-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter.

NICK WILLIAMS

Stephen Ayobamidele (7) of Park Center is hit by Phoenix Sproles (7) of Robbinsdale Cooper while attempting to catch a pass. Cooper won 35-0. Photo by Chris Juhn

Park Center's Stephen Ayobamidele (7) is hit by Cooper's Phoenix Sproles (7) while attempting to catch a pass. Photo by Chris Juhn, SportsEngine

First report


Phoenix Sproles

After playing to a scoreless tie in the first half, Cooper scored 21 unanswered points in the third quarter en route to a 35-0 victory over Park Center on Friday to remain undefeated.

After a 40-yard kick return by Nascier Borden to open the second half, Cooper (5-0) orchestrated an eight-play, 52-yard scoring drive, capped by a 9-yard touchdown pass from Cameron King to Jordan Brown.

Park Center (1-4) fumbled on ensuing kickoff and the ball was recovered in the end zone by Cooper's Terrance Nicholson.

Cooper's Phoenix Sproles scored on a 49-yard punt return with 22 seconds left in the third quarter, giving the Hawks a three-touchdown lead.

Park Center had its opportunities in the first half. The Pirates forced four turnovers -- three of them interceptions -- but could not convert offensively. A penalty negated an apparent touchdown in the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Pirates missed a 40-yard field goal attempt.

Check back later for more on the game. 

Robbinsdale LB Nate Hill (6) races towards the end zone after making an interception. Photo by Chris Juhn

Hawks linebacker Nate Hill (6) races towards the end zone after making an interception late in the game against the Pirates. Photo by Chris Juhn, SportsEngine

Cameron King (2), the Robbinsdale Cooper Quarterback catches a snap near the Park Center endzone. Robbinsdale Cooper defeated the Park Center Pirates 35-0 away. Photo by Chris Juhn

Cameron King (2), the Robbinsdale Cooper Quarterback catches a snap near the Park Center endzone. Robbinsdale Cooper defeated the Park Center Pirates 35-0 away. Photo by Chris Juhn

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