“We had the wing eating competition, which was fun but it hurt a little bit,” Cooper said.

The 6-3, 280-pound lineman transferred that success onto the field in Saturday’s high school football all-star game with the best players from Class 6A and 5A. Cooper’s South team was victorious, 32-14, over the North at the 12th annual Les Schwab Bowl, and the 62nd anniversary of the game.

“It’s been a lot of fun just meeting players from other schools and getting the whole experience,” Cooper said. “And playing with the best players in Oregon, it’s been a lot of fun.”

Cooper helped his team’s offensive line pave the way for Malcolm Johnson of Barlow, who rushed for 121 yards on nine carries with one touchdown. Lake Oswego quarterback Jack Lomax also rushed for two touchdowns.

“It’s nice to have one last high school game to just go all out and bring it and give it your best,” Cooper said. “And make a lasting mark.”

Cooper plans to play football next season for Western Oregon University.

“I like the coaches and they have a really good football program,” he said. “I’m just excited to play there.”

Cooper was a standout lineman for coach Doug Sommer at Wilsonville, named all-league first team in the Northwest Oregon Conference last fall as a center and defensive lineman. He was also a Class 5A all-state honorable mention at both positions.

As a junior, Cooper was an all-league first team defensive lineman in the NWOC, and all-state honorable mention at the position.

In track and field, Cooper became a state-qualifier this past spring in the shot put, and placed seventh at 46 feet, 4 ½ inches. Cooper was a runner-up at the district meet at 47-9 ¼.

The 18-year-old said he will miss playing for the Wildcats, but will keep in touch with the program as much as he can.

“I’ll miss playing with the same guys since fourth grade,” he said. “I’m going to miss that the most, and then the coaches. I’ll never leave them behind. I’m still talking to them and I have strong relationships, so that’s what I’ll miss the most.”