It’s really rather a simple approach: Get the ball to Mitchell Cooper and let him do his thing. But in this age of over-thinking, sometimes what works best is getting back to basics.

Mitchell Cooper certainly did his thing on Friday night in Mount Joy, and because he did, the Palmyra football team now has something to build upon.

Cooper, a junior wide receiver, was spectacular in leading the Cougars to a 31-30 triumph at Donegal. He caught 13 aerials from quarterback Michael Lewis for 170 yards and two touchdowns.

Cooper and Lewis collaborated on a 16-yard scoring play in the fourth quarter that proved to be the game-winning touchdown. At that point of the contest, Palmyra was staring down a 30-24 deficit and the prospect of yet another defeat.

But partly because of Cooper’s play, Palmyra snapped a 13-game losing streak that dated back to the 2011 campaign. The Cougars’ last win came against Manheim Central, in that year’s District Three Class AAA postseason.

It was Cooper and Lewis who got the Cougars off on the right foot against the Indians, as they hooked up for a 24-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter which game Palmyra a 10-0 lead. Behind two more TD tosses from Lewis, the Cougars enjoyed a 24-12 halftime cushion.

Through three games this season, Cooper now has 27 catches for 355 yards and three touchdowns. Cooper is averaging over 13 yards per catch.

 – JEFF FALK