MEXIA, Texas — Before Mexia kicked off against Groesbeck last week Friday, senior running back Jacques Cooper knew he was going to make a big play.
“I said I'm gonna get a hurdle one game and score it," said Cooper. "And I said, watch it be BTR (Battle of the River) game.”
The running back and track high jumper scored two touchdown in the game including an 80-yard touchdown run where he hurdled over a Groesbeck football player and score for the Black Cat's second touchdown of the night. But hurdling is nothing new for number 12.
“It's not my first hurdle," Cooper said. "I've got about three hurdles within the past couple of weeks, but this one is the main one that I was looking forward to.”
Cooper, who's nickname is Bird, helped lead the Black Cats to victory over their big rival for the first time since 2017. The Battle of the River Game is one of the oldest rivalries in Central Texas dating back to 1901.
“Just know we got to sign back and mainly because he [Micah Kirven] wasn't here to be with us to get to sign back. That's mainly the reason why this game was so special and the win was so special,” said Cooper.
The big win and the huge plays were all for a bigger reason then just the game of football. Cooper dedicated his game to his late teammate Micah Kirven who was a friend that he considered as on of his brothers.
Cooper said, “The main thing that was going through my mind is make 8 proud because he really was looking forward to playing this game this year and him not being able to play it.”
He had the honors of carrying Kirven's number eight jersey onto the field before the game kicked off.
Cooper said, "It makes me happy that we won the game for him and I kept my promise to him saying I was gonna get a hurdle and score it.”
Mexia will kick off against the West Trojans for Week 7 of Friday Night Lights.
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