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Four-TD game for Cooper's Joseph Russell propels Hawks over St. Louis Park

By MATT STEICHEN, Special to the Star Tribune, 09/13/19, 8:00PM CDT

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Russell threw three scoring passes and ran 52 yards for another in a 49-25 victory.

Cooper quarterback Joseph Russell (12) made his way through the St. Louis Park defense for a 52-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Photo: Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

Cooper quarterback Joseph Russell (12) made his way through the St. Louis Park defense for a 52-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Photo: Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

Good things happen for Cooper when the ball is in Joseph Russell’s hands.

The sophomore quarterback had a hand in four touchdowns Friday, running his total to nine for the season, while leading the Hawks to a 49-25 victory over visiting St. Louis Park.

Russell’s 52-yard touchdown scramble gave the Hawks a 14-13 lead early in the second quarter. He capped off a game with 324 combined yards running and passing with a 54-yard scoring pass to Cornelius Wooten early in the fourth quarter.


Joseph Russell

“The offense was great,” said Russell, a first-year starter under center. “The offensive line has blocked really well the last two weeks and the receivers were catching the ball. There’s always room for improvement, but we did well tonight. The coaches have helped me prepare for this and brought me to the next level.”

Playing with the lead, the Hawks’ defense held the Orioles scoreless on three consecutive possessions inside the 20-yard line and forced four turnovers.

“Bend but don’t break. That’s what it’s about at all levels,” Cooper coach Willie Howard said. “We know the kids are young and they’re going to make mistakes, but they have to learn from it really quick, put it behind them, and get the next one.”

Terrence Matthews capped off four unanswered Cooper (2-1) touchdowns with a 39-yard scamper early in the fourth quarter.

Sajid Nathim scored three touchdowns for the Orioles (1-2). He finished with 169 yards on 26 carries.

St. Louis Park running back Sajid Nathim (7) is tackled by Robbinsdale Cooper defender Taurean Cain in the second quarter. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

St. Louis Park running back Sajid Nathim (7) is tackled by Robbinsdale Cooper defender Taurean Cain in the second quarter. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

First report

Quarterback Joseph Russell had a hand in four touchdowns in leading Cooper to a 49-25 victory over visiting St. Louis Park on Friday.

Russell threw for three touchdowns and scrambled 52 yards for another score while running his season total to nine touchdowns in three games. He rushed for 118 yards on seven carries and completed 11 of 16 passes for 206 yards.

In the first half, the teams traded four consecutive touchdown drives before two late St. Louis Park turnovers allowed Cooper to take a 21-13 lead into halftime.

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