The Cook High Hornets earned a 16th consecutive playoff appearance thanks to seven wins in 2015, and the team will be eager to extend its impressive streak during the upcoming season. Despite graduating starters at a few key positions, the Hornets will return lightning-fast running back Brandon Doe and should again be a handful to defend thanks to a potent rushing attack. Doe topped the 1,000-yard mark in 2015 with 1,069 yards and should be a near-guarantee to do so again.
Cook will need to replace the production of quarterback Connor Hilliard, who passed for 800 yards and was talented enough to keep defenses from solely keying in on Doe out of the backfield. The Hornets will return seven starters on the offensive side of the ball, including athlete Ce’Darius Arnold, linemen Brock Jones and Jalen Wilcox and receiver Gunner George, which should bode well for the team’s offensive continuity in 2016.
Defensive production will be Cook’s main question mark entering the new season, as just four out of 11 starters will return from 2015’s 7-4 team. The Hornets will still be quick and should force some turnovers due to team speed, a trait that will keep the team in nearly every game it plays thanks to its rushing prowess.
Despite the fact that Cook graduated several starters, the Hornets did place a major emphasis on playing younger players in 2015, as several sophomores received minutes in key situations down the season’s home stretch.
The Hornets open 2016 with consecutive road contests versus Brooks County and Tift County, so expect Bobby Jones’ team to be battle-tested once region play rolls around. Cook might be slightly undersized, but impressive team speed and an exceptional rushing attack will give the team a chance to build upon last season’s 6-2 region record.
Cook Hornets
Doe Leads Hornets’ Potent Rushing Attack
Written by Jacob Dennis
Photo by Cook High School
