After rallying from a 14-0 first-quarter hole to tie the game in the second quarter, the Cooper football team saw its District 2-5A Division II opener against Wichita Falls Rider take an unfortunate turn Thursday at Shotwell Stadium.

Following their third consecutive stop after allowing touchdowns on each of Rider’s first two possessions, the Cougars appeared poised to take the momentum — and perhaps even a lead — into halftime.

Instead, a muffed punt led to a 32-yard touchdown drive for the Raiders, who would start the second half with three unanswered touchdowns to pull away for a 42-21 victory.