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Bears, Streaks to lock up

Who: Archbold (1-0) at Bryan (1-0)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

2007 Result: Archbold, 48-27

By LEE HUDNELL - Times Sports Editor

Travis Cooper's first game as Bryan's head football coach was a memorable one to say the least.

Not only did his team earn themselves - and their coach - a victory over Van Wert, but they did it with the entire world on their shoulders.

Cooper's quarterbacks, Cody Keil and Alex Nossaman, had just two days to prepare for Van Wert after the Bears starting signal caller - of the past two seasons -quit midweek. To pile it on even more, the Bears managed to fumble away the opening kickoff against Van Wert, putting themselves in an early 7-0 hole, just minutes into their season. And perhaps the biggest blow came a little later, when senior leader Zach Snider was knocked out of the game due to injury.

Coach Cooper's troops didn't roll over though, they responded with force, outscoring the Cougars 13-3 the rest of the way and showing Bryan fans that the days of running from adversity are history.

Bryan's new coach said he noticed that after that inspiring win over Van Wert, the pressure of the world had been lifted off his player's shoulders.

"It was a huge release of all the tension that took place this past week," Coach Cooper said."I told the boys that for us to have everything that happened last week and to start the game the way we did, and to come back and take a victory ... it was a true testament to the hard work and dedication they have given to being a winning football program. I can't state how happy I was for those guys in that locker room.

"But as I told them Saturday morning at films, one win is nice, but our work is far from over. Stay hungry, earn respect!"

Coach Cooper is correct about the Bears work being far from over. In fact, it looks as if it's just beginning.

The Bears will host Northwest Ohio Athletic League rival, Archbold, on Friday night in their home opener at Golden Bear Stadium. And if the fans from Bryan think the Streaks have fallen off since losing their star quarterback, Gene Goering, to graduation - they might want to ask Ayersville about it. David Rupp is the Streaks new starter, and although he doesn't put up the numbers through the air like his predecessor, the Archbold senior can kill defenses on the ground. In last Friday's 38-20 victory over Ayersville, Rupp shined, outscoring the Pilots himself, by scoring four touchdowns (including an interception return) and rushing for 99 yards on 17 carries.

Rupp, along with backfield mate Jacob Fidler - who rushed for 149 yards on 23 carries last week - and athlete Breon Price, give the Streaks a three-headed dragon that Bears up-start defense must be able to slay if they are to begin the Cooper-era 2-0.

Coach Cooper admitted that the Archbold trio can beat you - and they can do it fast.

"One word - Speed!" Coach Cooper said. "Archbold has guys like Fidler, Rupp, and Price who can flat out fly."

Of course, Bryan showed last week in Van Wert that they can bring the pain on defense.

It was an all-around great performance by the Golden Bears defense, who seemed to be in the Van Wert backfield more than the Cougars running backs.

Two players, Derrick Hughes and Jeremiah Dietrich, were exceptionally good, and surprised a lot of Bryan fans by their incredible performances in the Bears' first game under the Friday night lights.

Cooper, on the other hand, wasn't surprised at all.

"To tell you the truth, I wasn't surprised one bit," Coach Cooper said about Hughes and Dietrich's performance last Friday at Van Wert. "Derrick has been a beast day in and day out at practice. He is a tough kid to block. He wasn't a part of the team last year, and I think that he realizes how much he missed it. He is making the most of his opportunity, and hopefully he keeps that fire for the rest of the season."

"As far as Jeremiah, we are excited about getting him back from injury. He is one tough cookie. I can"t say enough good things about that kid. He is kind of a quiet assassin. He doesn't say two words all week, but when that ball is snapped, he is a different kid."

Cooper said that in order to get past a tough Archbold team, the Bears intensity level must remain on the extreme.

"If we want to have a chance on Friday, our boys will have to finish off this week with good practices and bring their ÔAÕ game come Friday night," Coach Cooper said. "It can be done, but I know Coach (Jack) Downey will have his guys ready to go."

"Friday night can't come soon enough.Ó

lee@bryantimes.com

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