OABCIG’s Cooper DeJean Picks Right Up Where He Left Off

Two weeks into the 2020 season and OABCIG’s [player_tooltip player_id="23817" first="Cooper" last="DeJean"] is ranked among the state leaders in several categories. That should come as no surprise as the University of Iowa commit led the Falcons to a state title last year and a perfect season. DeJean, a multi-sport standout and multi-position superstar on the field, is first in the state with 747 passing yards. His 921 all-purpose yards are just 31 behind Montezuma’s [player_tooltip player_id="23965" first="Eddie" last="Burgess"]. "It feels great to be playing this year with everything going on with COVID," DeJean said. "I’m glad we are playing and hopefully we get to finish out the season." In a thrilling 27-21 victory last Friday night over Spirit Lake, DeJean was on the field the entire night. He completed 25 of 52 passes for 368 yards with two touchdowns, adding another 23 carries for 93 yards and two scores. That equals out to 75 possessions that were in his control of the 78 ran by OABCIG. On defense, DeJean, a member of the secondary, recorded 14 tackles including 13 solo stops. He also fielded a kickoff return that he picked up 25 yards on and had four punts that went 120 total yards. "I was tired, but I knew I gave it my all and I’m glad we came away with the win," he said. "I’m one who is willing to do whatever it takes to win even if that means playing every single snap. Saturday (after the game) I was really sore; the most sore I have been ever, but it was all worth it." DeJean threw for 379 yards, ran for 56 and had six total touchdowns in a 42-0 Week 1 victory over Ridge View. He also had three tackles during that contest. As a junior, DeJean threw for 3,546 yards with 42 touchdowns while rushing for 1,292 yards and 24 more scores. He also recorded 34 tackles on defense with five interceptions - returning two for scores. Two more times he returned punts to the end zone, giving him 70 total touchdowns on the season. The Falcon coaching staff made the switch to a more open offense. DeJean caught 66 passes for 1,023 yards and 12 scores to lead the team as a sophomore. Those numbers almost doubled the entire receiver output of the squad the year before. "The biggest thing is the coaches let me be myself," he said. "When I’m playing, I have a lot of confidence in them and what they do building up to game days, and they have definitely helped me to get where I am today. "It means a lot. I have a lot of trust in my coaches and they have a lot of trust in me. I’m always suggesting things to run and there always giving feedback and it goes both ways too so it’s definitely great to have that trust." Since a 4-5 record in 2016, the Falcons have won 26 games, including a 13-0 record last year. The school initials are formed from the towns of Odebolt, Arthur, Battle Creek and Ida Grove. "My teammates, coaches and community are great," DeJean said. "My teammates always have my back and we are all really close, and these coaches are great. They understand the game and they have helped me become a better player. "This community is great. They are there supporting us every step of the way. They travel really well and I’m grateful for all of their support." Along with earning all-state honors, DeJean was recently selected to play in the 2021 All-American Bowl. The game will be broadcast on NBC January 9. OABCIG takes on Missouri Valley at home this Friday night. "<span style="font-size: 1rem;">I hope we get to finish this season out with everything going on," he said. "We still have some things to work on to get where we want to be at the end of the season but so does everybody else. We are going to keep working and hopefully make another run in the postseason."</span> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-18u37iz r-1qfoi16 r-1nwbi2h"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-173mn98 r-18u37iz r-1h0z5md r-6dt33c r-1oi2net r-qhyqy2 r-105ug2t"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n"> <div class="css-18t94o4 css-1dbjc4n r-1niwhzg r-42olwf r-sdzlij r-1phboty r-rs99b7 r-1w2pmg r-1vuscfd r-53xb7h r-1ny4l3l r-mk0yit r-o7ynqc r-6416eg r-lrvibr" tabindex="0" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-haspopup="true" aria-label="Add reaction" data-focusable="true"> <div class="css-901oao r-1awozwy r-13gxpu9 r-6koalj r-18u37iz r-16y2uox r-1qd0xha r-a023e6 r-vw2c0b r-1777fci r-eljoum r-dnmrzs r-bcqeeo r-q4m81j r-qvutc0" dir="auto"></div> </div> </div> <div class="css-18t94o4 css-1dbjc4n r-1niwhzg r-42olwf r-sdzlij r-1phboty r-rs99b7 r-1w2pmg r-1vuscfd r-53xb7h r-1ny4l3l r-mk0yit r-o7ynqc r-6416eg r-lrvibr" tabindex="0" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-haspopup="true" aria-label="More actions" data-focusable="true"> <div class="css-901oao r-1awozwy r-13gxpu9 r-6koalj r-18u37iz r-16y2uox r-1qd0xha r-a023e6 r-vw2c0b r-1777fci r-eljoum r-dnmrzs r-bcqeeo r-q4m81j r-qvutc0" dir="auto"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1bymd8e r-1udh08x r-1nwbi2h"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1gvt8yx"></div> <div class="css-1dbjc4n"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1gvt8yx"></div> </div> </div> </div> &nbsp;