Kooper ElKouri, a sophomore at Cache High School, plays right tackle for the Bulldogs football team. He said the people closest to him provide the motivation he needs to improve each day.
“My family and my friends are the people who push me every day to be my best,” ElKouri said.
Away from football, ElKouri said he is especially looking forward to English class this year with first-year Cache High School teacher Mrs. Banks.
“My favorite subject this year is English,” he said. “The teacher is Mrs. Banks. She is a first-year teacher at Cache High School, and I am looking forward to this class.”
In his free time, ElKouri enjoys spending time with friends, playing college football and golfing.
“Hanging out with my friends, playing college football and golfing,” he said.
As a right tackle, ElKouri knows his position requires him to handle some difficult matchups along the offensive line.
“The most difficult thing about right tackle is when you have a crazy-fast outside backer who can use his hands and pass rush,” he said.
One of the wildest plays ElKouri has seen came from teammate Kenyon Sweat, who turned a sweep play into a long touchdown.
“When Kenyon Sweat ran a sweep, he was on one side of the field, broke five tackles, ran all the way to the other side of the field and scored a 60-yard touchdown,” ElKouri said.
ElKouri credits Cache’s seniors and the team’s changing culture for making his experience with the program meaningful.
“I enjoy the environment and the seniors we have,” he said. “They are outstanding on and off the field. The environment and culture at Cache have changed tremendously over the past two to three years. I enjoy being around my teammates at practice and seeing others succeed, as well as myself.”
His favorite football memory came during Cache’s double-overtime win against Clinton, a game that carried extra significance for the program.
“My favorite memory from a game is the double overtime with Clinton,” ElKouri said. “Before the game, there was a big storm, so the game got delayed for an hour or so. It was close throughout, and we got a turnover in the second overtime. Then we ran a 3-yard inside zone to our running back. It was a great moment. It changed the culture of Cache, and it will always be talked about in the Cache program.”
