Imhoff Helps Power Leps Resurgence
La Grange football player Cooper Imhoff plays both sides of the ball and has a crucial role on offense: protecting the quarterback. The offensive and defensive lineman contributed heavily to La Grange’s last two blow out wins against Caldwell and Giddings. The Leps took down Caldwell 44-10 and beat Giddings 38-14. “He’s been a huge piece in our success,” said La Grange head football coach Matt Kates. “He, along withAnthony Weikel and Hayden Splawn, are playing a lot of football. He’s just one of those kids that is willing to do anything for the team. People don’t realize how hard that is playing both ways in the trenches every single snap. The physicality, how in shape you got to be to do it. Just couldn’t be more proud of his successes. Because of that, because of his grades, and because of the type of kid he is, he’s gonna be able to play some college football somewhere.” Imhoff’s vital workload has landed him a nomination for this edition’s Athlete of the Week.
Question: What’s the most important thing about being a lineman?
Answer: “Offensive line, it’s not really known by position, it’s more of a unit. So we’re not gonna get much of the glory, but when we do, it’s a big honor. Whether it’s offense or defense. I’m not here without my teammates. Anthony Weikel, the right tackle and left guard, Hayden Splawn, left tackle, Makiah Alexander and then the center, Favian. It’s really a unit. We got to come everyday, get after it, and just have great days of practice.”
Question: How were you able to make such large margin of victory in the last two games?
Answer: “We started off district really, really slow. Really bad against Smithville in a game I really thought we should’ve won. I think we just figured out the pieces that we need, fix the small mistakes that we needed to make, and really locked in and realize we didn’t want to do that against Giddings. Giddings is always a big game you want to win. I think playing against Caldwell really helped us a lot, get some momentum back, and just keep moving forward.”
Question: How did you start playing football?
Answer: “I started in pee wee football on Saturdays over there by White Rock Park. Over there on the grass as a little kid and my love for the game has just excelled. Going into middle school and freshman year, I wasn’t always a lineman. I used to play receiver, I used to play linebacker, but the transition was good. I love it.”
Question: What’s your greatest memory during a game?
Answer: “I feel like my greatest memory has to be the one from Friday night. It was Giddings, last play of the game, and I played quarterback. I took the final knee. It was probably the best play that I’ve had so far.”
Question: Who’s your favorite sports team and why?
Answer: “My favorite sports team is the Texans. Just from Texas. I have some disappointments, but hopefully they can turn it around and keep playing.”
Question: If you could play in one college or pro stadium, which one would you choose and why?
Answer: “High school football, you always dream of playing in Jerry World. Always getting to state, playing in Jerry World, that would be pretty cool. Rams’ stadium is pretty nice. You got a couple of nice new stadiums. I think Tennessee is building one. Just making it there one day, if I can make it, if I’m lucky to make it, it’d be an honor.”
Question: What are your hobbies?
Answer: “Playing football, relaxing, sleeping, eating, just hanging out with my friends. That’s about it.”
Question: If you could have your dream car, what would it be?
Answer: “I really like Teslas. Bentleys are another dream car of mine. Just one of those two I’d love to have and hopefully I will get one day.”
Question: What do you have planned after high school?
Answer: “I want to go to college to play football and continue my football career at a college. If that doesn’t pan out the way I want it to, I want to become a coach or I want to get into law school.”
Question: What’s something you admire about La Grange?
Answer: “I’ve been here all my life. It’s just a tradition, we always talk about Leps taking state. It was just always a factor. Just always doing that and I love it here. It’s a small town. Everyone knows everybody, so it’s really homey. I know almost everyone here. It’s a great feeling.”
Imhoff’s passion for the game and for his teammates has shown on the field.