Twice the Raiders’ drives stalled against the stout Coppell defensive line.
Twice Ryan missed short field goals, coming away with no points after drives of 10 and 11 plays.
As a result, the Coppell Cowboys claimed a 21-3 victory to remain unbeaten and clinch the District 5-5A title.
“We just played hard,” Coppell coach Joe McBride said. “There was no secret formula. We just settled down once in the red zone and played well on defense.”
Ryan (4-4, 2-2) got its only score on a 42-yard field goal by kicker Marc Orozco, denying Coppell (9-0, 4-0) its second consecutive shutout.
From the outset, Coppell set the tone, forcing and recovering a Ryan fumble on the opening kickoff. Shortly afterward, Coppell quarterback Colby Mahon dived through the middle of the line for a touchdown, and the Cowboys were off and running.
“That was big,” McBride said. “My hat goes off to [Denton Ryan]. They were playing their last game here on senior night, and they played well.”
Mahon found the end zone twice more through the air, both times dropping passes into the hands of receiver Cameron Smith.
Mahon finished the night with 197 passing yards, with 114 of those going to Smith.
Just before halftime, Ryan nearly made it a one-score game on a deep pass along the sideline, but Parker made a leaping interception to stifle yet another Raiders’ threat.
Continuing to honor the memory of Coppell player Jacob Logan, who drowned last month, Cowboys cornerback Troy Parker wore Logan’s No. 21 jersey.