The John Cooper School, under head coach Erik DeHaven, beat Hitchcock 21-14 on Friday, Sept. 18, according to MaxPreps' game recap and CW39 Houston's statewide Week 4 scoreboard. Cooper hosted the non-district game at Pugh Field, according to the school's athletics page.
Quarterback Colson Collins threw for 232 yards and three touchdowns on 84.2% completion, and receiver Jace Perry caught two touchdowns for 81 yards, according to MaxPreps.
Cooper's win came against a Hitchcock program adjusting to a new classification. The Bulldogs moved up to Class 4A this season after going 7-5 in Class 3A-I last year, according to a Galveston Daily News season preview. Head coach Craig Smith is in his 15th season leading Hitchcock.
The Bulldogs feature running back Cam'ron Taylor, quarterback Jordan Shannon and linebacker Elijah Brown among their key players this fall. Hitchcock entered Week 4 at 2-1, having beaten Santa Fe 20-17 on Sept. 11 after topping Houston Wheatley 27-8 in Week 2, according to MaxPreps and the Galveston Daily News. Friday's loss dropped the Bulldogs to 2-2 overall, according to MaxPreps.
Cooper competes in the Southwest Preparatory Conference (SPC) at the 4A level, a classification the Dragons moved into in 2024 after competing at SPC 3A. The school finished 7-2 overall last season, and the win over Hitchcock put this year's Dragons at 2-2, according to MaxPreps.
The varsity result capped a two-day sweep. Cooper's junior varsity squad beat the Bulldogs 28-0 on Thursday, Sept. 17, according to the school's athletics page.
The Dragons' athletic program is in its first full year under Athletic Director BJ Feuerhelm, who took over the role this fall. "This position is my mountaintop … I get to come in every day and be surrounded by people who love being here," Feuerhelm told Woodlands Online on Sept. 9, when he discussed his vision for Cooper athletics at the higher classification.
Both programs are navigating life at a bigger level. Hitchcock jumped from UIL 3A to 4A, while Cooper made its SPC move two years ago. Friday's matchup put two teams in transition on the same field.
Cooper's next game is Friday, Sept. 25, at home against Tomball Christian Homeschool, according to MaxPreps. The Dragons' next confirmed SPC date is a Round 1 playoff game scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7. The opponent and location have not been announced.
