Hosting last-place Lubbock Coronado a week before a pivotal regular season-ending clash with crosstown rival Wylie, the Cooper football team sidestepped any potential traps on Friday, scoring the final 42 points in a thorough 48-7 victory at Shotwell Stadium.

A choppy start left the Cougars trailing 7-6 at the end of one quarter, but coach Scott Smith’s squad finished the half with 21 unanswered points to take control by the break on a rainy night in Abilene.

The victory improved CHS to 6-3 overall and kept the Coogs even with Wylie (also 6-3) at 4-1 in District 2-5A Division II play, setting up a huge matchup next week for the league’s second playoff seed and a home game in the postseason’s opening round. The loser will be take the No. 3 seed and have to travel to El Paso for its bi-district game.