Is East Aurora’s Kenneth Cooley unstoppable?

No, but at times, it appears that way.

I’m sure Adam Chavez would agree. West Chicago’s second-year coach struggled for words Friday night as he tried to assess the impact the Tomcats’ standout receiver, defensive back and return specialist had in the teams’ annual battle for the Cat Cup.

“We knew about No. 4 going in, he is just …” Chavez said, pausing to describe Cooley. “I think he’s probably the best player in the conference. He is just lightning in a bottle.”

That he is.

Cooley struck three times for big-play touchdowns in the first half of a 32-21 Upstate Eight Conference victory that had much more riding on it than a traveling trophy.

The Wildcats and Tomcats both entered with 4-3 records, needing a win to become playoff eligible. West Chicago hasn’t been to the postseason in 20 years (2002), while the Tomcats’ drought stands at 40 years (1982).

“It’s like coach said, it wasn’t even about the playoffs,” Cooley said. “We just wanted to go 1-0 for the week — make sure our priorities were very straight. We got the job done.”

Five wins isn’t a guarantee, but 72 teams in the 256 postseason field last year made it in.

Cooley, a 5-foot-11, 160-pound senior speedster, did his part for the Tomcats. He scored TDs on runs of 64 and 54 yards, then motored 85 yards on a punt return for a TD that actually covered at least 130 yards thanks to his zigging and zagging.

“Including the side to side, yeah, that may be right,” Cooley said. “As you can see on film, I have a lot of punt returns (for touchdowns). Sometimes, it’s like natural for me now, but it’s from my teammates doing a good job blocking. Then, I just be me.

“Mostly though, that’s all my teammates. It’s all about trust and confidence.”

It gave East Aurora a 26-14 lead on a rainy night.

The three TD lifted Cooley’s season total to 22. Ten have come on pass receptions from senior quarterback Amado Martinez, five on runs, four on punt returns, two on kickoff returns and one on a defensive fumble return.

Junior running back Jeremiah Brown, who finished with 23 carries for 180 yards, started the scoring for the Tomcats with a 41-yard run and Martinez added a 1-yard TD plunge to cap a drive in the third quarter that ate up 6:03.

Cooley converted two plays on fourth down on a later drive that ate up more than nine minutes of the second half before stalling at the West Chicago 17.

And Brown, who also plays defense, had three drive-stopping tackles.

“No. 2 is really good,” Chavez said of Brown. “The quarterback is no joke, and coach (Nick) Kukuc has done an excellent job with this team.”

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The fact Cooley isn’t a one-man band should help this team reach the next level, which East Aurora can clinch with a win in the regular-season finale at Fenton (0-8, 0-8).

“It’s like a two-headed monster between Brown back there and Cooley,” Kukuc said. “Then you’ve got Amado, who can put the ball where it needs to be.

“Brown has had an impact on both sides. As hard of a runner as he is, he’s got some big hogs up front getting it done. And when he’s able to get to the ball defensively, more times than not, it’s because guys up front are locking someone up clearing his way.”

Senior defensive end Arnold Walker, who had seven tackles to lead that group, enjoys watching Cooley.

“I’ve known him since Little League days,” Walker said. “He’s special, he really is. When I see him in the open field like on that punt return, I’m like, ‘Might as well get back on the field. It’s our turn again.’

“West Chicago has played phenomenal. We knew this game was the one that was gonna take us to the playoffs. Forty years, you know? It’s indescribable. We can’t say how much this means to us.”

They’re not alone.

Originally Published: Oct 16, 2023 at 10:49 am