​Romans 8:28: And we know that in all thingsGod works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.The Blackburn family ‒ 21 strong, most from out of town ‒ left little doubt about who they came to support in the Friday, Sept. 4, high school football game between Madeira and Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy.Madeira quarterback and middle linebacker Cooper Blackburn’s face graced the front of their shirts, and his No. 4 was a large, bold contrast on the back.His eldest cousin, R.J. Blackburn, 25, surprised Cooper by driving all the way from Grand Rapids, Michigan, with those shirts in tow to acknowledge a lengthy off-the-field journey that made this occasion momentous.One year earlier, nearly to the day, against the same team in the first offensive drive of the game, Cooper sustained a significant foot injury that required emergency care, immediate major surgery and months of rehabilitation, according to his parents, Scott and Katie Blackburn.”It was up in the air if he would be able to play again,” his coach Chris Stewart said.God answered that question resoundingly. Cooper hasn’t just returned to play. He’s ranked third in the Cincinnati Hills League in passing yards and has led the Mustangs (2-1) to two dominant wins over Shroder and Middletown Madison before logging their first loss in Friday’s CHCA rematch, 24-12.With what happened a year ago against the Eagles on his mind, Cooper found the game nerve-wracking but felt the team put up a good fight against a well-coached team he respected. Having his brother, Griffin (a senior at UC), parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins in the stands uplifted him.In the handshake line, he reached the end to find CHCA senior running back/linebacker Pedro Guimaraes, his knee in a brace. CHCA head coach Calvin Renfroe said Pedro, a senior, was injured in the second half of their only loss of the season to Versailles, 20-10.Cooper, who said he felt the impact of prayers he received from the CHCA game in 2025, knew what was coming for Pedro and wanted to pay it forward. He asked Pedro if he could pray for him.”I felt extremely bad for him because I know first-hand how horrible it is to be at the start of a process that takes months on end of pain and grinding when all you want to do is be out on the field alongside your brothers displaying all the hard work you put in,” he wrote to The Enquirer.”One verse that really stuck with me through my recovery and helped in my times of struggle was James 1:12, ‘Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.’ I know it’s going to be a difficult process for him, but with all the prayers and help, I’m confident he’ll make it all the way back.”Recovery: ‘There’s a grieving process’His wisdom in that regard was hard-earned.According to his family, the first three months of Cooper’s recovery meant n