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Eleven to watch in 2011: Alex Cooley


In our continued attempts to stave off the summer lull -- and to keep this blog something resembling fresh -- we bring you a new series: The 11 YAIAA football players you need to watch in 2011. Each day for the next week and a half, we'll feature another of the league's most promising talents. Think we missed somebody? Chime in using the comments section. Alex Cooley, RB/LB, Eastern York In keeping with the running back theme we come to Cooley, who put some huge numbers last season as a sophomore. Eastern York's tailback posted 1,204 yards last season, good for fifth in the YAIAA. Cooley does not look like a rising junior. He has a big upper body and the leg strength to churn through arm tackles. He's also fast; Cooley was a sprinter for the Golden Knights track team last spring. He show last year he's capable of taking over a game. Cooley ran for 175 yards or more in five games, including a 258-yard outing against York Catholic. It's hard to know what to expect out of Eastern this fall, coming off last season's 3-7 campaign. The Golden Knights have a new coach, longtime assistant Richard Brubaker, and have been stuck in the lower half of the league standouts for several years now. At least in Cooley, Eastern has something to build around. 2010 statsRushing 189 carries, 1,204 yards, 6.4 avg., 18 TDs Receiving 6 catches, 77 yards, 12.83 avg., 1 TD