High school football players of the week: Cooley, Mathis

E-Mail

Comments (0)

Text Size:

tool goes here

SMALL SCHOOLS

MARCUS COOLEY

Calvary Temple running back

CLICK FOR MORE PHOTOS

When last year's star quarterback transferred to Modesto Christian before this season, the expectation was that Marcus Cooley would be the centerpiece of the offense.

The senior, as he's done much of the season, came through again in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VII playoffs. He rushed for 230 yards and four TDs, as the defending section champion Warriors beat Bradshaw Christian 50-19.

"It became apparent by Week 4 that Marcus would be the one that carried this team," coach Mike Vennard said. "The quarterback switch was a major factor, but not one that (we were) unable to be overcome -- at least not with Marcus Cooley on our squad. It definitely thrust him into the spotlight, but that's where Marcus thrives. His comment is always, 'Keep giving me the ball.' "

Cooley has 1,745 yards and 24 TDs, and Vennard said the downfield threat provided by receiver Langston Kennedy prevents defenses from stacking the line.

LARGE SCHOOLS

STEPHON MATHIS

Merced running back

With the Division I receiver on the bench with mononucleosis and the quarterback out with a thumb injury, Stephon Mathis became paramount in Merced's bid to advance in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.

As Jarrett Sparks and Brandon Garcia watched from the sideline, Mathis made sure Merced's season continues. The 5-foot-9-inch junior tailback had 29 carries for 242 yards -- career-high totals -- and two touchdowns in a 38-14 first-round win over Davis.

"Stephon is a prototypical I-back," coach Rob Scheidt said. "He runs behind his pads with power and has the best vision of all of the backs I have coached."

Mathis launched his varsity career with a 122-yard outing in a 21-14 win over Crenshaw, but a knee injury the next week knocked him out of action. Scheidt brought him back slowly, as Mathis averaged about a dozen carries in the second half of the season.

-- RICHARD T. ESTRADA