WOODROW, Texas (KCBD) – 2025 was an up-and-down season for the Lubbock-Cooper Pirates, who finished 7-5. One of LCP’s greatest achievements last year was knocking off rival Frenship in overtime 57-56 for a 3-1 record. However, they would drop three of their next four, before they would carry a three-game winning streak into the playoffs.
Aside from their 20-14 win over Tascosa, the Pirates’ offense scored 40+ points in their other six victories. Along with a new quarterback, head coach Chip Darden believes Lubbock-Cooper will have a new and improved defense for 2026.
“I would say probably our strength is having skill guys on both sides of the ball. We’ve got a lot returning. Our linebacking core has a chance of being really good along with our secondary, that was an area we weren’t real good against the pass last year and so we put an emphasis on that. I think our secondaries really respond,” he said. “And then offensively, we’ve got receivers and tight ends that have been there and running backs that have some a lot of varsity experience. And so up front, we’re a little younger on both sides than we have been, but we like the progress they’re making too.”
Key returners include: Keion Brown, Noah Clark, Jashone Davis, Travis Exparza, Cooper Luensmann, and Blake Moore.
Pete’s Pigskin Previews are sponsored by Grid Iron Bells.
2026 schedule is listed below. Kickoff times set for 7 p.m.
8/28 Frenship 9/4 Midland Greenwood 9/11 @ Stephenville 9/17 @ Canyon 9/24 BYE 10/2 Wichita Falls Legacy* 10/9 @ Abilene Cooper* 10/16 Coronado* 10/23 @ Abilene Wylie* 10/30 Wichita Falls Memorial* 11/5 @ Amarillo Palo Duro*
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