Few rivalries in Oklahoma high school football carry as much weight as the Custer County Conflict, and for Weatherford junior Cooper Bryant, one memory stands above the rest. “Beating Clinton on the 100th anniversary of the Custer County Conflict,” he said. Now, with another season ahead, Bryant is locked in and ready to help lead the Eagles in a new chapter of their storied program.
Heading into his junior year, Bryant’s focus is clear: leadership and consistency. “I am looking to become a better leader on and off the field and to push my teammates to get better every day,” he said. With Weatherford graduating a large group of seniors last season, Bryant and his teammates are embracing a season of transition. “We have gotten a lot of guys some varsity reps as we lost most of our starters from last year,” he said. “I think we’ve had more leadership and have pushed each other more than in past years.”
That mentality has already started to pay off. “I think we’ve become more confident and have improved as a team from a week-to-week basis,” Bryant said. Confidence, he believes, is the key to Weatherford’s ability to reach one of their biggest goals: earning a home playoff game. “That starts with practice and trusting our coaches and the game plan.”
When asked about the team’s biggest strength, Bryant doesn’t hesitate. “I think that we have a great coaching staff that pushes us to our full potential, and we can trust to put together a good game plan from week to week,” he said. As a wide receiver and defensive back, he knows how vital preparation is. “As a receiver I read the positioning and leverage of the corners and safeties to help me run my route and give the QB an open look,” he said.
Bryant’s mindset is grounded in trust and work ethic. “My mindset is really just trust what I know and just play football,” he said. “Another goal I have for every game is to leave it all on the field by pushing myself all game long.”
Standing 6’2 and competing in football, basketball, and baseball, Cooper Bryant is more than just a multi-sport athlete—he’s a cornerstone of Weatherford’s future. “I want to be remembered as a player that is very hardworking, a great teammate, very coachable, and a great leader.”
