John Cooper quarterback Colson Collins threw three touchdown passes, including two to Jace Perry, as the Dragons defeated Hitchcock 21–14 on Friday night.

The teams combined for five punts and a turnover during a scoreless first quarter before Hitchcock broke through late in the second. Jaydin Freeman completed the Bulldogs’ 52-yard scoring drive with a 1-yard touchdown run at the 2:40 mark, but the missed extra point left Hitchcock ahead 6–0.

John Cooper responded before halftime. Collins directed a five-play, 78-yard drive and connected with Perry for a 22-yard touchdown with 40 seconds remaining. The extra point gave the Dragons a 7–6 halftime lead.

Hitchcock opened the third quarter with its longest possession of the night, driving 53 yards in 12 plays while taking more than seven minutes off the clock. The Bulldogs came away empty, however, after John Cooper stopped the drive on downs.

That defensive stand helped keep the Dragons in front until their offense found its rhythm in the fourth quarter.

John Cooper covered 73 yards in five plays early in the final period, with Collins finding Perry for another 22-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 13–6 with 8:27 remaining. Perry finished with five receptions for 60 yards and two touchdowns.

After forcing a Hitchcock punt, the Dragons struck again. Collins completed a 19-yard touchdown pass to Nolan Meek with 3:44 left, and Bull Channey’s two-point run increased the advantage to 21–6.

Hitchcock continued battling and answered with a 70-yard scoring drive. Jordan Shannon connected with DJ Turner for a 40-yard touchdown with 51 seconds remaining, then ran in the two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 21–14. John Cooper secured the ensuing possession and ran out the clock.

The Dragons produced 332 total yards while finishing with near-perfect offensive balance—165 rushing and 167 passing. Collins completed 14 of 16 passes for 167 yards and three touchdowns while adding 48 yards on five carries. Channey led the ground game with 108 yards on nine attempts, and Luke Bowles caught six passes for 73 yards.

Hitchcock totaled 244 yards, including 176 on the ground. Freeman led the Bulldogs with 41 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. Turner rushed nine times for 37 yards and caught three passes for 46 yards and a score. Roy Johnson added 34 rushing yards, while Noah Mehmood contributed 31.

Shannon completed 7 of 15 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another 25 yards. Eli Walker made two receptions for 18 yards.

Both teams are now 2–2. John Cooper concludes its non-district schedule at home against Tomball Christian Homeschool, while Hitchcock hosts Hamshire-Fannett in its final non-district game.