Easley High School outside linebacker Kaden Cooper helped lead the defense last Friday night in a 56-34 win over Pickens. Cooper is also a captain in his final season for the Green Wave.
Mark Beery | For The Progress
EASLEY — Last Friday night, the “game ball” could have gone to several different players on the Easley High School football team.
EHS senior Matthew Hillstock, in fact, put a couple moves after a catch-and-run that had “next level” all over it.
But beyond all of the stats and the big plays at Houston Field, you’ve got to admire the effort and the mindset of senior captain Kaden Cooper. He plays outside linebacker on defense for the Green Wave and is the guy to “set the tone”for the EHS defense.
“We came into this week very prepared,” said Cooper, still celebrating with his family and friends long after the game had ended on Friday night. “Coach (Sam) Houston really put it on us captains to lead the charge and watch film outside of when we’re doing stuff with the team. It was really cool how the whole team came together this week and really put it together.”
Cooper went on to say, “Even from the first whistle, the energy in the locker room was just different. We said since the Greenville game last year – when we were walking off (the field) – something is brewing and something is special.”
Cooper serves as a captain this year for EHS with three other seniors – Matthew Hillstock, Kobe Preston and Jaxson Wilson.
Easley’s 56-34 victory over Pickens was a big statement to kick off the season for the Green Wave. Cooper talked about how the Easley football team was like during the pregame.
“Even from the first whistle, the energy in the locker room was just different,” said Cooper. “It was the first time we could show the community and anyone watching … Easley football.”
Cooper said the Easley football practices were tough, too, leading up to the rivalry game with Pickens. “It’s hard work,” he said. “The practices have been full contact beating the snot out of each other. It made tonight (against Pickens) really easy.”
The 17-year-old Cooper has been named The Easley Progress Athlete of the Week. He said he weighed about 168 pounds last year as a junior. He currently stands in at 5-foot-9 and 187 pounds. He’s got a 3.8 grade point average and he said he feels a calling to the ministry one day.
“More into the music and worship side of it,” he said, about his future. “I’m believing in God’s plan for me.”
Senior leadership: Just because you have played a certain sport your whole life doesn’t really mean a thing if you did not improve along the way and keep building on your dreams.
This group of seniors, with Cooper helping lead the way, have been building on their dreams.
“This group of seniors … we’ve been playing ball together since we were 5 (years old) and some of us are turning 18,” Cooper said. “So, it’s really cool to see how all of us have developed as players and young men. Seeing how we thrive off each other and push each other in the weight room and on the field and individually. We’re building something really special here.”
Other seniors for EHS include: Jeremiah Patton, Kaiden Erby, Cason Brewington, Owen Jackson, Geno Cutolo, Jakyric Jamison, Cam Hunter, Will Oakley, Trent Coker, Brady Wright, Jake McAlister, Stone Turner, Cooper Sears, Brody Lesley, Hunter Burton, Henry Masterson, Seth Wilke, Evan Massey, Anthony Lang and Ashton Woodruff.
Reach Jeff Holt at 864-855-0355.