Pressure has never been an issue for Welles Cooley.

As a sophomore he played an integral part of the Kinder Yellow Jackets’ Class 2A state football championship. Five months later he delivered a winning walk-off hit to claim the state baseball championship.

So when head football coach Bret Fuselier shifted the former slotback to quarterback heading into his junior season, he accepted the role gladly.

“It’s an easy move because he is really an exceptional athlete. He not only plays every sport at this school, he excels in all of them,” Fuselier said.

Cooley, an all-state honorable mention as a sophomore, has led the Yellow Jackets (14-0) back to the state championship behind more than 2,000 combined yards and 29 total touchdowns. He went through a three-game stretch when he scored six consecutive touchdowns of 25 yards or longer each time he carried the ball.

He has the defending champions headed back to the Superdome Friday in a rematch with the Many Tigers (14-0). Also on the line is the Yellow Jackets’ 25-game winning streak, the longest active streak in the state.

“It’s a great feeling, but I have a lot of great guys around me that help me out,” Cooley said.

Cooley made the switch to signal caller in the summer after the graduation of Austin Pickle, who had assumed the role the previous two seasons.

“He is a guy that we can trust with our offense,” Fuselier said. “He brings a lot of smarts to the position. When you are dealing with high schoolers it can be hard to find a guy like him. He is a great guy to lead your offense.”

In the transition, Cooley was forced to take on the role as one of the team leaders, one that comes with anyone at the quarterback position. It is a role he has shouldered with ease.

“I kind of like being looked at as a leader,” Cooley said. “I am really thankful that the guys listen to me, but I feel like our offense as a whole operates as one unit; we all listen to one another. With me being a leader I know when I have to I can speak up and say what I need to say, but most everybody knows what they need to do to begin with.”

“He is a natural leader; he leads by example,” Fuselier said. “He puts in the work and when the others kids see that they follow right along.”

The Kinder offensive line has not only made Cooley’s job much easier with their blocking, but also do their job in organizing the offense.

“(Senior offensive guard) Casey Edwards is great on the offensive line and he makes a lot of calls up front, that makes it easier on me,” Cooley said.

Edwards, an all-state selection last year, said he enjoys working with the first-year signal caller.

“He is a very good leader and he stays very positive no matter what,” Edwards said. “He is also a great athlete so he is fun to block for.”

Cooley suffered a hip injury in the quarterfinals against Springfield two weeks ago. The injury has limited him the past two games, but he said he is feeling much better preparing for the state championship.

Whether the junior is ready to play at his full potential or not come Friday night, his presence on the field will always worry the defense lined up across from him.

“All I know is that I am glad Welles is on our team,” Fuselier said.(Rick Hickman/American Press)