Gobbla2001
08-02-2005, 12:26 PM
Eyeing a comeback
Cuero's Cooper happy to get back on field
http://www.thevictoriaadvocate.com/ips_rich_content/CUERO_PRACTICE_02_sm.jpg
August 2, 2005
MIKE FORMAN
Advocate Sports Writer
CUERO - The first day of two-a-day football practices isn't normally considered fun, but Latrael Cooper seemed to be enjoying himself Monday.
Cuero running back Latrael Cooper, who has already committed to Texas A&M, is eager to get back into action after missing all of last year with a knee injury. Cuero and most other teams around the Advocate area began preseason football workouts Monday.
Cooper was practicing for the first time since injuring his left knee in a scrimmage last season that sidelined him for his entire junior year.
"The best thing was just being around everybody like I used to," Cooper said. "That and being able to run like I used to."
Cooper has been doing a lot of running and rehabilitation since undergoing an operation to repair torn anterior, lateral, and posterior ligaments in his knee. But Cooper has been looking forward to testing his knee and the new brace he received on Friday and wore during Monday's practices.
"I've got to get used to getting back on it," Cooper said of his knee. "I've got to get reacquainted with it when it comes to cutting and everything. I just take it day-by-day. Every day is day-by-day for me."
Cooper was the Advocate's Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore after rushing for 1,268 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also ran a 10.62-second 100-meter dash as a sophomore and was one of the most highly recruited running backs in the state. Despite the injury, Cooper announced a commitment in April to attend Texas A&M.
Cuero coach Mark Reeve plans to ease Cooper back into action. Reeve will be extremely cautious when the Gobblers begin practicing in pads Friday.
"We've put him through a battery of full-speed cuts and the strength is there," Reeve said. "The doctors tell us that (left) leg is a lot stronger than the other leg. We're just going to see how he does. There's no rush for us to get him back. When he feels comfortable, that's when we'll crank him up."
While Cooper appeared tentative at times on Monday, he went through the entire practice, made a twisting catch during passing drills, and ran wind sprints with his teammates.
"I'm just trying to get my feet under me, do my running, and get back in shape," the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Cooper said. "I need to get all the basics down. When we call a certain play, I'm kind of relearning it."
Reeve has no plans to play Cooper in either of Cuero's scrimmages - at Lockhart on Aug. 13 and at home against Gregory-Portland on Aug. 19 - but admits those plans could change.
"It's just a matter of him being comfortable with us and us being comfortable with him," Reeve added. "We've been a season without him and we'd just as soon not go another. We're going to make sure he's ready."
Cooper promises to be ready to play when the season starts, and insists his mind will be focused on the present instead of the past.
"I was told not to think about it," Cooper said of the injury. "If I think about it, there are more chances I will get hit. If I don't think about it, that will give me more chances to think about the game."
Cuero's Cooper happy to get back on field
http://www.thevictoriaadvocate.com/ips_rich_content/CUERO_PRACTICE_02_sm.jpg
August 2, 2005
MIKE FORMAN
Advocate Sports Writer
CUERO - The first day of two-a-day football practices isn't normally considered fun, but Latrael Cooper seemed to be enjoying himself Monday.
Cuero running back Latrael Cooper, who has already committed to Texas A&M, is eager to get back into action after missing all of last year with a knee injury. Cuero and most other teams around the Advocate area began preseason football workouts Monday.
Cooper was practicing for the first time since injuring his left knee in a scrimmage last season that sidelined him for his entire junior year.
"The best thing was just being around everybody like I used to," Cooper said. "That and being able to run like I used to."
Cooper has been doing a lot of running and rehabilitation since undergoing an operation to repair torn anterior, lateral, and posterior ligaments in his knee. But Cooper has been looking forward to testing his knee and the new brace he received on Friday and wore during Monday's practices.
"I've got to get used to getting back on it," Cooper said of his knee. "I've got to get reacquainted with it when it comes to cutting and everything. I just take it day-by-day. Every day is day-by-day for me."
Cooper was the Advocate's Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore after rushing for 1,268 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also ran a 10.62-second 100-meter dash as a sophomore and was one of the most highly recruited running backs in the state. Despite the injury, Cooper announced a commitment in April to attend Texas A&M.
Cuero coach Mark Reeve plans to ease Cooper back into action. Reeve will be extremely cautious when the Gobblers begin practicing in pads Friday.
"We've put him through a battery of full-speed cuts and the strength is there," Reeve said. "The doctors tell us that (left) leg is a lot stronger than the other leg. We're just going to see how he does. There's no rush for us to get him back. When he feels comfortable, that's when we'll crank him up."
While Cooper appeared tentative at times on Monday, he went through the entire practice, made a twisting catch during passing drills, and ran wind sprints with his teammates.
"I'm just trying to get my feet under me, do my running, and get back in shape," the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Cooper said. "I need to get all the basics down. When we call a certain play, I'm kind of relearning it."
Reeve has no plans to play Cooper in either of Cuero's scrimmages - at Lockhart on Aug. 13 and at home against Gregory-Portland on Aug. 19 - but admits those plans could change.
"It's just a matter of him being comfortable with us and us being comfortable with him," Reeve added. "We've been a season without him and we'd just as soon not go another. We're going to make sure he's ready."
Cooper promises to be ready to play when the season starts, and insists his mind will be focused on the present instead of the past.
"I was told not to think about it," Cooper said of the injury. "If I think about it, there are more chances I will get hit. If I don't think about it, that will give me more chances to think about the game."