JERRY COOPER - C/O 1989

DE/FB/LB/Returner

Jerry Cooper.


The second Brave to ever participate in a state-wide Kansas all-star game. While Jerry did not have one stat that particularly stood out during his senior campaign, he packed nearly every statistical category on both sides of the ball. As a rumbling fullback, dynamic return man, and unblockable defensive end, he led the Braves to a share of the league title in 1988.


Cooper's Senior Statistics:


His accomplishments that year earned him a Shrine Bowl invitation and First Team All-State 4A defensive end honors. He was also a key player for the 1987 state-qualifying Braves in his junior season. Beyond his offensive and defensive abilities, Cooper was known as one of the most reliable returners in all of Kansas throughout his career. He is one of, if not the most impressive player in school history when it comes to making an impact in all 3 phases of the game (offense, defense, and special teams). He finished his career with 967 return yards, which ranks 4th all-time at Council Grove. He is the only Brave's fullback post WWII to appear on the top 10 All-Purpose Yardage list (7th Career All-Purpose Yards). At the time of his graduation, Cooper ranked 4th in all-time All-Purpose Yards. He was also surrounded by two other all-league running backs whom he shared carries with and blocked for. His head high school football coach Joe Buchanan mentioned how dangerous Cooper was in their screen passing game in the late 1980s as a receiver out of the backfield. Defensively, his 8 sacks at the time was a school record. This record stood for 10 years.


Jerry had one of the truly most unique, yet impressive HS football careers at CG.


Cooper went on to have a college football career at Fort Scott CC and future Division 1 program Hofstra University in New York.