Keynan Cook’s talent is undeniable.
It’s why the Beckley wide receiver is heading to Georgetown, but being a high-profile player usually means you’re on the field most of the game.
That wasn’t the case for Cook on Friday.
As the Flying Eagles shifted to the wing-T offense, Cook was relegated to the sidelines on majority of the offensive snaps. But when he was on the field he was a standout.
The senior hauled in six passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns while also intercepting a pass late in the fourth quarter as the Flying Eagles beat Morgantown 28-27 in overtime.
For his efforts, Cook has been named the Week 5 Loopress Players of the Week by the Lootpress sportswriters. The award is sponsored by Bodyworks and the Law Offices of Brandon Steele.
“Leaders,” Beckley head coach Street Sarrett said of his Cook and quarterback Maddex McMillen, who switched to a wingback position. “They’re true leaders and they’re team people. They don’t worry about individual stats or none of that stuff. They’re just leaders.”
After the game Cook echoed many of the same sentiments, acknowledging a winning game plan was more important than him being on the field for every snap.
“We started out running the ball a lot cause that was our game plan,” Cook said. “We planned on it all week. We’ve went full pads since last Tuesday with the Bluefield game canceled and we just ran, ran and ran and we got in shape. But me coming off the sidelines? That’s nothing to me. I just care about helping our team and that’s all it is to me.”
When Cook’s number was called he made the necessary plays. The first big one came with a minute left in the first half. The 6-foot-3 receiver juggled and caught a ball that bounced off a defender for a 48-yard score.
His second touchdown, a 20-yard strike, tied the game late in the fourth and his interception on the following drive forced the Mohigans on their heels, preserving a tie in regulation before the Flying Eagles capped off the win in overtime.
“He was in there and made some plays when we needed them,” Sarrett said of Cook. “We go from wing-t double tight to five-wide and Keynan Cook was in there and made some awesome catches. Some catches down there in the end zone. That’s highlight stuff. He’s a tough player and there’s a reason he’s going to Georgetown.”