Pine High School quarterback Cooper Thomas has been named the Gridiron Football National Player of the Week for Week 2 after putting together one of Louisiana’s most efficient dual-threat performances.
Thomas completed 9 of 11 passes for 118 yards and four touchdowns while adding 118 yards on 12 carries in Pine’s 33-21 victory over Pope John Paul II. His 236 total yards and four scores helped the Raiders improve to 2-0 and earned him 39,837 votes—nearly 18,000 more than the second-place finisher.
Thomas joins former Pine standouts and Gridiron Football All-Americans DJ Garrett and Cadyn Stogner as recipients of the award. For the Raiders’ new starting quarterback, the support he received throughout the voting process showed just how much the Pine community rallies behind its players.
“It really means a lot knowing that you have a lot of people in your corner. Seeing how many people voted for my teammates when they won it and then seeing how many people voted for me—it means a lot.”
Pine 2028 QB Cooper Thomas
Pine head coach Bradley Seal credited Thomas for first producing a performance worthy of a nomination. From there, he knew the Raiders’ fanbase would make its presence felt.
“The credit first goes to the player because they have to have the game to get nominated. Once they are nominated, we know our fans are going to vote for us. We can go four or five hours away for a playoff game, and our fans are going to come out and support the team.”
Pine Head Coach Bradley Seal
Thomas’ Week 2 performance was about more than the four touchdown passes. He consistently made the correct decisions, protected the football and punished Pope John Paul II when running lanes opened.
Seal compared his quarterback’s role in Pine’s new spread attack to that of a point guard directing an offense on the basketball court.
“Cooper is doing a good job, and I use the phrase that he is kind of the point guard of the offense. He is taking what the defense gives us, minimizing incomplete passes and getting the ball to our athletes.”
Pine Head Coach Bradley Seal
That description perfectly captured Thomas’ night. He completed nearly 82% of his passes while averaging more than 13 yards per rushing attempt. When his initial read was covered, he used his legs to extend drives instead of forcing the ball into danger.
Thomas gave plenty of credit to his offensive line and the skill players around him.
“I was mainly taking what the defense gave me,” Thomas said. “In the run game and passing game, my line did very well. I was really proud of my line and my receivers.”
Pine 2028 QB Cooper Thomas
Pine designed several quarterback runs for Thomas, and the Raiders’ offensive front consistently created open lanes. In the passing game, his receivers separated from defenders and completed plays when Thomas placed the ball away from coverage.
Thomas entered the season replacing former Pine quarterback Trey Knight, who finished a successful career with the Raiders and was the winning quarterback for Team Lions in the Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game.
Despite stepping into a new role, Thomas has played with the poise of an experienced starter. Seal credited Pine’s junior-high program for introducing players to similar concepts before they reach the varsity level, making the transition more natural.
Thomas also learned an important lesson from watching Knight: never compound one mistake by forcing another play.
“The main advice he gave me was that when things go bad, don’t turn the ball over and don’t force anything. If you can pick up the first down, take it. Just don’t try to force anything.”
Pine 2028 QB Cooper Thomas
That mindset was tested against Pope John Paul II. After Thomas threw an interception and watched the Jaguars respond with a touchdown, Pine received the ball with approximately four minutes remaining.
Thomas gathered his teammates and challenged the offense to either score or control the remaining time. The Raiders answered by producing the drive they needed to finish the game.
“I want to be somebody who can lead the offense and also be a hype man for everybody else. Overcoming that adversity and going down to score at the end was what we needed.”
Pine 2028 QB Cooper Thomas
While fans see Thomas’ passing, rushing ability and confidence on Friday nights, Seal believes his quarterback’s preparation behind the scenes is what separates him.
“The first thing people don’t see is Cooper’s work ethic in the weight room. You’re not going to outwork him. He has leadership skills, confidence and some swagger, but you have to earn the right to feel confident. He has put the work in.”
Pine 2028 QB Cooper Thomas
Thomas’ combination of preparation, athleticism and leadership has helped Pine begin the season undefeated while transitioning to a spread offense. Seal emphasized that the Raiders remain far from a finished product, which makes their early success even more encouraging.
Pine has talented running backs and receivers surrounding Thomas, but the new quarterback has quickly established himself as the player responsible for distributing the football and keeping the offense on schedule.
Through two games, Thomas has shown that he can deliver the ball accurately, create explosive plays with his legs and respond when adversity arrives. His complete performance against Pope John Paul II earned Pine an important victory and made him the clear choice as the Gridiron Football National Player of the Week for Week 2.
Other Finalists:
Deontae Fleming — East St. John (LA), WR, 2028 — 22,127 votes
Recorded 322 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns: six receptions for 200 yards and three touchdowns, one 33-yard touchdown run and four kickoff returns for 89 yards. Defensively, he added two tackles, one forced fumble and a game-sealing interception in a 28-14 victory over John Ehret.
Jordan Strong — Welsh (LA), ATH — 15,405 votes
Caught four passes for 96 yards and one touchdown, rushed twice for 18 yards, scored a two-point conversion and recorded eight tackles in a 42-0 victory over Opelousas Catholic.
Daniel Mazyck — DeRidder (LA), RB/S — 10,180 votes
Returned two interceptions for touchdowns, forced one fumble and recorded two tackles with two assists. He also scored on a 55-yard run and returned two punts for 36 yards in a 49-20 victory over Many.
Kollin Magee — Logansport (LA), QB, 2028 — 9,445 votes
Passed for 355 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 55 yards and another score. He finished with 410 total yards and five touchdowns in a 60-7 victory over Buckeye.
Quallion Louis — Sarah T. Reed (LA), LB, 2027 — 8,217 votes
Recorded 10 tackles, two touchdowns, two fumble recoveries and one interception in a 39-7 victory over L.B. Landry.
Jack Grace — Metairie Park Country Day (LA), QB, 2029 — 7,649 votes
Completed 37 of 46 passes for 576 yards and nine touchdowns in a 70-35 victory over The Willow School.
Daniel Braud — St. John (LA), RB, 2027 — 6,391 votes
Rushed four times for 155 yards and four touchdowns in a 63-8 victory over Cohen.
Colton Harding — Scottsboro (AL), QB, 2028 — 4,664 votes
Completed 7 of 8 passes for 192 yards and five touchdowns in a 42-0 victory over Hayden.
Jackson Tarver — Tioga (LA), RB/DB, 2027 — 3,382 votes
Rushed 13 times for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, he recorded five tackles, one pass breakup and two interceptions, including a pick-six, in a 52-21 victory over Pineville.
Rashad Jackson — John F. Kennedy (LA), WR, 2028 — 1,448 votes
Caught three passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns in a 63-13 victory over H.L. Bourgeois.
Jamarquise Richardson — Delhi (LA), RB/WR, 2029 — 793 votes
Rushed 10 times for 188 yards and three touchdowns while adding a 64-yard touchdown reception in a 60-0 victory over Magnolia.
LonTrevious Burns — Jonesboro-Hodge (LA), ATH, 2027 — 505 votes
Rushed seven times for 111 yards and two touchdowns and caught a 65-yard touchdown pass. Defensively, he registered eight tackles, five sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in a 50-6 victory over Delhi Charter.
Joseph Adams — Lafayette Christian Academy (LA), LB, 2028 — 399 votes
Recorded 10 tackles, three sacks and one additional tackle for loss in a 44-0 victory over Westminster Christian Academy of Opelousas.
Evan Duffour — St. Charles Catholic (LA), RB, 2027 — 202 votes
Rushed 18 times for 127 yards and three touchdowns while catching five passes for 79 yards in a 28-27 victory over Hahnville.
Kamden Martin — Flomaton (AL), WR/S, 2027 — 163 votes
Caught eight passes for 118 yards while recording seven tackles, two assists, one tackle for loss and two pass breakups in a 28-14 victory over T.R. Miller.
Dashun Lightfoot — Acadiana (LA), RB, 2027 — 161 votes
Rushed 24 times for 247 yards and five touchdowns in a 36-28 victory over Zachary.
Jaylen Gaines — The Colony (TX), QB, 2027 — 143 votes
Completed 6 of 9 passes for 280 yards and four touchdowns while adding 20 rushing yards. He accounted for 300 total yards in a 54-6 victory over W.T. White.
Kellen Hall — Oak Grove (MS), QB, 2027 — 142 votes
Completed 17 of 31 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns in a 36-20 victory over Hattiesburg.
Trenton West — Beekman Charter (LA), ATH, 2027 — 141 votes
Rushed 18 times for 74 yards and six touchdowns, caught six passes for 60 yards and scored two two-point conversions. He added five tackles and recovered the game-sealing onside kick in a 40-34 victory over LaSalle.
Gridiron Football National Player of the Week Winners: