The Breakdown with Jay Pace: Coppell Cowboys

Written By: Jay Pace @Therealjaypace

Tale of The Tape 

Coppell Cowboys

Coppell, TX. 

Coppell Cowboys Breakdown

Record: 12-0 

Head Coach: Antonio Wiley 

3rd at Coppell (33-3)  

6th Overall (57-13) 

Key Players. 

QB Edward Griffin (Sr.) 

RB Omarion Mbakwe (Sr.) 

WR Harry Hassmann (Sr.) 

WR Taylor Cusano (Sr.) 

DB Scott Fishpaw (Sr.) 

Head Coach

Antonio Wiley attended Dallas’ Samuel High School where he ran track and played DB for the football team. After high school, he went onto play college ball at Eastern New Mexico University as a DB where he was a 1st team all-conference selection. 

A 17-year coaching veteran, Wiley spent most of his career on the defensive side of the ball, serving as defensive coordinator at Mesquite Poteet High School and Lewisville High School. Wiley also coached DBs at Lake Travis High School in 2016. 

Wiley landed his first head coaching job at Wichita Falls Hirschi High School where he spent three years before replacing Mile Dewitt at Coppell in 2022. 

Now, we look at the key players and key positions ahead of Saturdays game. 

“The Gunslinger” 

The Cowboys offense runs through the strong right arm of QB Edward Griffin who is a 3-star prospect committed to Baylor. Griffin has put together an impressive two-year run, throwing for more than 6,000 yards and 82 touchdowns. 

Griffin is 23-1 as the Cowboys starting QB. A gifted passer, Griffin, would prefer to air it out to one of his many options at the skill positions. But make no mistake, he can also run if necessary and has no qualms about lowering his shoulders to pick up extra yardage. He’s the Cowboys third leading rusher this season with 411 yards and 5 TDs on 71 carries. 

Mbakwe Totes the Mail 

Senior RB Omarion Mbakwe leads a formidable ground game that’s rushed for more than 2,300 yards as a unit this season.

An underrated prospect, Mbakwe, a 5-foot-10, 200-pound bowling ball of a runner, is the Cowboys #1 option at RB. A vicious north-south runner, Mbakwe, has rushed for more than 1,500 yards and 21 TDs over the last two seasons. An occasional threat to catch the ball out of the backfield, Mbakwe has tallied 27 receptions for 368 yards over the past two seasons.  

Mbakwe is an old school back who is most effective when pounding the ball between the tackles. A powerful runner with a low center of gravity, Mbakwe is good at wearing down defenses over the course of four quarters due to his punishing style of play. 

Josh Lock provides a strong second option in the Cowboys backfield, rushing for 790 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. 

The Speed Merchant and Mr. Sure Hands 

An already formidable passing attack became elite with the transfer of senior WR Harry Hassmann from New Braunfels, TX. in the offseason. Hassmann, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound speed merchant is a true home run threat. His big play ability opens up the Cowboys vertical passing game. Hassmann, who runs a laser timed 4.39 forty, recently committed to Arizona St. 

Tucker Cusano, the team’s leading returning WR, has watched his production rise in 2024 despite the addition of Hassmann.  Cusano, a Rice commit isn’t necessarily the home run threat that Hassmann is, but the kid can flat out play. Dating back to last year, Cusano has tallied 105 receptions for 1,728 yards and 25 touchdowns. A fearless receiver with great hands, Cusano keeps defenses honest as he must be always accounted for. Jacoby Coleman is another viable option at WR. Collectively, this trio has accounted for 139 catches, 38 TDs and nearly 3,000 receiving yards in 2024.

Defense Still Wins Championships  

If Coppell has any designs on upsetting the apple cart and playing for a 6A Division I Championship, its defense must perform at a high level. 

Coppell is a very physical unit at the point of attack, known for dialing up the pressure off the edges. This is probably the most complete defense North Crowley has faced up to this point. 

North Crowley’s offensive line is one of the best Coppell has seen all year. The battle upfront will go a long way in determining who wins this Regional Semifinal matchup. 

For Coppell, the plan is simple enough. Offensively, it cannot afford a shootout. While the Cowboys offense is capable of scoring lots of points, it can’t win a track meet versus an offense like North Crowley. The Panthers are too fast and have too many weapons. This is simply not an option. 

Offensively, the play of RB Omarion Mbakwe and Josh Lock will be a huge factor in deciding the outcome of this game. A big night for Mbakwe & company could mean a long night for the boys in Black & Purple. An old school approach of running the ball and winning the time of possession battle is crucial. As potent as the Panthers offense is, they can’t possibly score from the sideline. Keep your eyes on Mbakwe and Lock as their performance or lack thereof will likely tip the scales one way or the other. 

Defensively, Coppell must put pressure on QB Chris Jimmerson Jr., a task that’s much easier said than done. However, doing so is vital if Coppell expects to pull the upset. The task remains a tall order, as Jimmerson Jr.’s feet are an equally effective weapon as his arm.  Jimmerson Jr. is a true dual threat, and Coppell can’t afford to allow him to sit in the pocket while plays develop down the field. It will be lights out, party over. 

But, if the Cowboys can disrupt the rhythm and timing of the North Crowley offense, then maybe…. just maybe they can shock the world.