Cook Kicks Leps to Big Win to Earn County Athlete of the Week Honors

After a long Friday night opener, Senior Taylor Cook sent Leopard fans home happy, booting a walk-off 35-yard field goal in overtime to beat Cameron 52-49. Cook was also seven for seven on extra points in the game.

That alone is enough to make his our Fayette County Athlete of the Week, but Cook is also a huge weapon for the Leps on kick-offs.

“That’s the part people forget about,” said La Grange head coach Kyle Cooper. “It’s not just about scoring points and the late field goal, he kicks the ball off really well. He’s doing a great job with hang time and being able to place the ball where we want it.”

Cook also made a couple of tackles on special teams after his kicks Friday.

For everything Cook is doing to make La Grange’s special teams truly special, he’s our Fayette County Athlete of the Week.

Here’s our interview with him:

1. Now that you’ve had a few days to think about what happened. Is that game-winning moment still as exciting as ever for you?

“I still think about it a lot, and it still makes me really happy. Its boosted my confidence a lot.”

2. What’s the longest field goal you’ve ever made in a game?

“That 35-yarder, and in the El Campo scrimmage I also made a 35-yarder.”

3. What’s the longest you’ve ever made in practice?

“55 yards.”

4. How did you get into kicking?

“I’ve been playing soccer since I was 3.”

5. You are a senior. Have

you finalized your plans for after high school?

“I think I want to go to a trade school. Maybe HVAC or Relay Tech, something like that.”

6. Which player on the football team has the funniest nickname?

It was at this point in the interview that quarterback Clayton Cooper jumped out to inform us that Taylor Cook’s nickname was “T-Bone” and that was the best nickname on the team.

7. What do you think about having the nickname T-bone?

“I like it. It’s alright.”

9. A big thing for La Grange seniors is riding in the parade float, which happened the morning after your big kick. What was that like?

“It was fun. Everybody was congratulating me and talking about the game. It was cool.”

10. Last year’s three-win season was not what anyone was hoping for. How different do things feel this season, and what are your goals for this team?

“Things feel different already. I feel good about it, hope we can make it to the playoffs and do better than last year.”