Cook a model of consistency for Mustangs

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Cook a model of consistency for Mustangs
Van Wade
The Orange Leader

WEST ORANGE — Knowing they were going to be youthful on the defensive side of the ball when the season started, West Orange-Stark defensive coordinator Cornel Thompson turned to what he calls his “bell cow” to lead the way.

Senior defensive tackle Stephen Cook has filled that bill all season long.

Cook has produced 85 tackles this season as the Mustangs (8-2) prepare to take on the Coldspring Trojans (8-2) Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Huffman Stadium in the Class 3A Region III Division II bidistrict playoffs.

Cook also has seven tackles for losses, four sacks and three fumble recoveries.

Opponents have been aware of Cook for three seasons now. He was the 21-3A Newcomer of the Year in 2007as a sophomore and was a unanimous All-District selection as a junior in 2008.

“We all love ‘Cookie’”,” said Thompson. “He just goes about his business and performs each and every Friday night. He’s been one of the steadiest players that has come through here. He has excellent technique.”

Defensive line coach Eddie Dyer echoed the same sentiments.

“Stephen is one of those kids that you wish you had three just like him every year,” said Dyer. “I’ve been here 16 years and he ranks right up there as far as being the most consistent. Charles Sias was another one and ‘Cookie” reminds me of him a whole lot.”

Cook has certainly led the way for a Mustang defense that has allowed just under 200 yards per game, which ranks as the best in Southeast Texas. Not bad for a group that has started as many as nine underclassmen during certain stretches of the campaign.

“I knew we were going to be younger this year and I knew I had to step up and be a leader,” said Cook. “I look back to the 2007 season and remember those great seniors on that team that were always their to lift me up and I wanted to be that type of player this year. My first two years I was pretty quiet but this year I’ve had to be more outspoken and I think I’ve grown in that role pretty good.”

One thing that has been certain this year, opponents have been trying to stay away from No. 36 in the blue and silver.

“A lot of teams have been running away from whatever side I’m on and that can be frustrating at times,” said Cook. “It also makes me feel good because my teammates have stepped up and made big plays. It just helps us with our gameplan when we know what direction an offense might go.”

Thompson loves Cook’s work ethic as well.

“He’s so precise out here in practice every day and all of the other kids feed off that,” said Thompson. “His technique is always near perfection and he tackles and wraps up so well. He’s definitely our anchor point. He has excellent leadership qualities. He’s not loud in anyway but he always gets his point across well.”

Now that the Mustangs are heading into the “extra” season, Cook has helped keep a lot of his underclassmen defenders on an even keel.

“We’re going to have to play Coldspring just like it was any other game,” said Cook. “There is no need to get nervous about anything, the field is still 100 yards long. We’ve played 10 games now, so we have plenty of experience.”

“At this point of the season, no team is young anymore, that excuse is over,” said Thompson. “We’ve got 10 games under our belts and they should be ready to go. I’m truly been pleased with the way we’ve performed on defense to this point in the season. The kids have really picked things up pretty well and some have been excellent surprises.”

Cook certainly has playing college football on his mind after this season but first things or first.

“I would love to go out and win my last high school football game,” said Cook. “That’s a lot of people’s dream but it doesn’t happen to many. We’ve been pretty far my first two years and it sure would be great to go even farther my senior year. That would be awesome.”