Two-way standout Cooper plays key role for Maroons
Adrian Cooper, or "Coop," as his teammates and coaches call him, has been a menace on the gridiron this season.
The senior running back has rushed for 611 yards and a Moline-best 11 touchdowns this season, including a hat trick of scores in the Maroons' 38-13 Class 7A first-round playoff win against Addison Trail.
"A big part of that is due to my offensive line," Cooper said. "My offensive line and coaches put me in places to make plays and be productive for this team. I feel without them, this would not be possible."
Cooper was the key Moline player on third and fourth downs over the past two weeks.
In the regular-season finale against Sterling, Cooper converted a third-and-7 with a 19-yard run; a fourth-and-goal with a 2-yard touchdown run; a third-and-1 with a 78-yard touchdown; and a dagger of a third-and-5 with 3:17 left to avoid two Sterling defenders with a double spin move for a 7-yard gain.
Last week, Cooper converted a fourth-and-2 with a 3-yard run and scored on the next play on a 49-yard touchdown run. He also ran for 12 yards on a third-and-2 in the third quarter — a drive that ended with a Marc Cary 14-yard rushing touchdown.
"Coop is in our big-back package with him and Corbin Schnell," Moline head coach Mike Morrissey said. "We feel comfortable with those guys picking up short yardage and doing the things that we need to do to get it done. We got a lot of faith in them when it comes down to having to pick up the tough yardage."
Morrissey and the Maroons will need another big performance from Cooper on both sides of the ball Friday when they face undefeated and No. 2-ranked Quincy (10-0) in the second round of the playoffs at Flinn Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Cooper's fluid running style and his initial decision to wear glasses during his first year with the Maroons drew comparisons to a Hall of Fame running back.
"When he was a freshman wearing glasses, Coop was like Eric Dickerson, with his style of running as well," Morrissey said. "Coop is tall and does not have a whole lot of upper body movement. He is pretty smooth when running with the ball. So, the Dickerson comparison is a real thing — it is a crazy comparison but was something that the coaching staff and I thought of right away."
Cooper has since switched to wearing contacts.
However, despite playing all four years in the offensive backfield, Cooper prefers roaming in the defensive backfield and has been playing both ways since his sophomore year.
"I prefer playing linebacker," Cooper said. "I like hitting people. I like being on the defensive side and not getting hit."
For the season, Cooper has 72 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one blocked punt and two defensive touchdowns.
Because of his exploits playing linebacker, Cooper was named to All-Western Big 6 Conference first-team defense, to go along with an All-WB6 second-team offense selection earlier this week.
"I am very grateful (of the honors)," Cooper said. "It is my first time being named to the all-conference team. Sophomore, I was on the honorable mention team, and this is definitely a good feeling and one of my goals."
Cooper is looking forward to potentially playing football at the next level, with his eyes on three schools in particular.
"My top three options are North Central, Monmouth and St. Francis," Cooper said. "They are at the Division III level, which is realistic for me as well. I could definitely develop and play at any one of these schools, as well as get my education."
