In Class 5A, Cooper (12-2) plays Bowling Green (11-3) on Saturday night in Lexington. Cooper returns to the state final for the first time since 2012 when the Jaguars were a 5A state runner-up to Bowling Green.
Cooper defeated Highlands 17-15 in a state semifinal Nov. 24. That was the second meeting of the season.
The WCPO High School Insider Podcast spoke with Cooper coach Randy Borchers and senior middle linebacker/right guard Jack Lonaker as the Jaguars prepare for this weekend.