Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Super Cooper makes big plays when Tigers need them most
PRAIRIE GROVE — Players who freelance on the football field risk condemnation from their coaches, but an unscripted move will sometimes benefit the team.
It happened last week during Prairie Grove’s 24-14 victory over Stuttgart in the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs. Stuttgart was inside the Prairie Grove 5-yard line and threatening to increase its 14-9 lead late in the third quarter. Defensive end Demarkus Cooper was supposed to stay at home on the third-down play, but he instead rushed into the backfield and dropped Stuttgart running back Kirk Hughes for a loss.
Cooper saw from the sideline on the previous play something that made him decide to break alignment when he re-entered the game.
“I was on the outside edge and wasn’t supposed to rush,” Cooper said. “But they were in ‘I formation’ and we were on the goal line, so it was kind of a gimme when they ran that play. I knew (the criticism) was coming if I messed this up, but it worked out.”
Cooper’s play fired up the Tigers, who then forced a turnover on fourth down. The defensive stand also sparked the offense, which produced two fourth-quarter touchdowns on passes from John David Elder to Colin Bryant to make the Tigers 11-1 on the season.
“Demarkus is always making big plays for us, especially when we need them.” Elder said. “That was a big tackle he made right at the goal-line and it was a huge stop for our team.”
The victory earned Prairie Grove a spot in the quarterfinals today at Warren, the defending state champion in Class 4A. The game is a rematch from last year’s semifinals when Warren eliminated Prairie Grove 48-28 at Tiger Stadium. Warren is 11-1 this season after winning the state championship last year with
a 15-0 record.
Prairie Grove fans making the long trip today will remember junior receiver Treylon Burks, who is being heavily recruited by a number of college teams, including Arkansas. Burks caught eight passes for more than 200 yards and four touchdowns last year at Tiger Stadium. He’s accounted for more than 2,000 yards this year as a receiver, kick return, and sometimes quarterback for the Lumberjacks.
“I remember going in at halftime last year and we were trailing 28-14,” said Cooper, who plays defensive end and tight end for the Tigers. “We came back out ready to play but Treylon, he just went off. We couldn’t stop them. But we’re coming back for revenge.”
Cooper (6-foot-1, 250 pounds) is a two-year starter who also played in the state championship game as a sophomore against Nashville. As a senior, he has 14 catches for 216 yards and three touchdowns and is a top defender with 26 tackles, two sacks for minus-21 yards, and an interception return of 47 yards that secured a victory over Shiloh Christian.
“Demarkus is irreplaceable,” Prairie Grove coach Danny Abshier said. “He’s exactly what you want in a football player. He knows our offense and defense inside and out. He has good hands as a receiver and he does an outstanding job on the defensive line. He’s with you every step of the way.”
Cooper hopes to get another chance to play in the state championship game in Little Rock. But even if the season ends tonight for Prairie Grove, Cooper will turn to basketball, where he scored a season-high 17 points in a game last year for the Tigers.
“I like basketball, but football is my favorite sport,” Cooper said. “I’d like to play football in college, if I get the chance.”