Varsity football: Cowboys win in overtime against the Ft. Lauderdale Flying L’s

BY HAILEY BROWN

On Tuesday October 24, the Cooper City Cowboys took on the Fort Lauderdale Flying L’s in a district game at Cooper City High School. The game went into overtime, but the Cowboys were able to make a stop and take home the win 28-21.

Fort Lauderdale came out strong in the first quarter and put themselves ahead by seven points. Cooper City was able to come back with a touchdown by Nathan Barnes, tying the game before then going on to kick off the ball and keep Fort Lauderdale from scoring. They forced a turnover, getting the ball at the Cowboy 10 yard line. Michael DiLiello was able to get through the defense and run for 64 yards before being stopped by Fort Lauderdale. The Cowboys then threw an interception on second and goal, which was returned for 43 yards. The Cowboys didn’t give up, as Josh Koploff put on the brakes and made a tackle sending Fort Lauderdale back five yards. Shortly after on third down, Ray Batten was able to get around to the quarterback, bringing him down and making it fourth and 32 for the Flying L’s, causing them to punt the ball.

Fort Lauderdale was able to stop the Cowboys from scoring and get the ball back. Fort Lauderdale scored with five minutes left in the half, making the score 14-7. Fort Lauderdale kicked off the ball and the Cowboys returned the ball back to 25 yard line. DiLiello’s pass was complete to Kobie Simmons, who ran for a touchdown and tied the game 14-14. The Cowboys were able to keep a hold on Fort Lauderdale, with Mark Fontana making a crucial stop on fourth down, bringing the game to a half time score of 14-14.

The Cowboys started off the quarter quickly moving the ball down the field and putting themselves in position for a field goal attempt. They were not able to make the field goal and kept the game tied. Fort Lauderdale quickly countered with a carry to the four-yard line, who was brought down by Ben Driggers. The Flying L’s were able to capitalize off this and score, putting the score at 21-14. After Cooper City received the ball, DiLiello carried the ball for 32 yards to the Fort Lauderdale 49- yard line, making it first and 10. The pass was complete to Simmons, but the flag on the play moved the Cowboys back to the Cooper City 36-yard line. With Fort Lauderdale on the stop, the Cowboys decided to punt the ball on fourth down. The third quarter ended with the score remaining 21-14.

The Cowboys started off the quarter strong and caused the Flying L’s to lose five yards. They went for the field goal on fourth down, but it was no good. The Cowboys got the ball back, but had an incomplete pass on third down, causing them to punt the ball. While Fort Lauderdale was on offense, the ball came loose and Koploff was able to recover the fumble and run it back for a touchdown, tying the game 21-21. Following the kick off, Koploff was on the play again with a sack, putting Fort Lauderdale back 8 yards. Cooper City’s defense was able to stop them and get the ball back. With five seconds left in the game, the Cowboys found themselves in range of a field goal to win the game. The field goal was missed and the game went into overtime. DiLiello was able to run the ball in for a touchdown putting the score at 28-21 in overtime. The Cowboys defense shut out Fort Lauderdale and win the game.

“It was a dog fight throughout the entire game,” DiLiello said. “You could see the momentum shifting from play to play, we just wanted it more.”

Photo by Casey Chapter