Plant travels down Himes Ave. to Jesuit for one of the most anticipated match ups of 2012. Lots of story-lines, plenty of friendly competition and even more great players. One of those players is 2013 WR, Tristan Cooper.

Cooper explains the mentality of the Plant locker room going into the big game “The mentality is, we know they are going to come out ready to play. Everybody knows that. We are going to have to come out and match that intensity.”

Plant as a team will have to be ready, but how does Cooper feel going into this game with his own preparation? This is his first Plant/Jesuit game as he is an out of state transfer from Louisiana. Cooper has played in some big games, but not a Plant/Jesuit Big Game. “I’m ready. I didn’t perform like I wanted to during the scrimmage. I went back and looked at the film and saw all the things I needed to correct. Basically I’m just ready to go. I love to play in big time games. Everyone keeps saying, ‘There’s nothing like this atmosphere you are about to experience for this Jesuit game. I’m just ready for the game to come. Have a great week of practice and be ready to play.”

Plant is the defending 8A state champion and Jesuit is coming off of two 11 win seasons. If both teams were not expected to be really good in 2012, the game would not be as highly anticipated as it is. Jesuit has not played since defeated by Pasco in round 3 of the 2011 playoffs. However, Cooper does like what he sees from players who are returning, “Well disciplined and well coached team. I love how they play. How they are really physical…the line backers are really physical and they get after you a little bit.”

Game is scheduled for 8:05 pm, Saturday night at Jesuit high school. It is expected to be a sellout with standing room only.

RECRUITING
Tristan Cooper has verbal offers from: FAU, Arkansas State, Ball State, Iowa State, but in no rush to solidify a list of top schools or make a commitment. “I haven’t finalized a list. I’ll probably do that in the next couple of weeks. I got a lot of schools who want to see my first couple of games. That’s the wild card. A lot of schools want to see my first couple of games HERE, that’s why I haven’t named any favorites. That’s the wild card.”