AZLE — The Cooper football team got off to a running start Friday … literally.

The Cougars piled up 316 yards on the ground, averaging 6.7 yards per rush attempt, and never trailed in a thorough 49-25 win over Azle.

After opening the scoring with just over three minutes remaining in the first quarter, CHS extended a 22-7 halftime lead to three scores by the 10:39 mark of the third and held on from there to secure its first season-opening win since 2020.