When he came back out for football as a senior after focusing his athletic efforts on basketball during his sophomore and junior years, Cooper senior Nic Bailey wasn’t expecting to play a major role for the Cougars.

Bailey, who hadn’t played football since his first year of high school, just missed the sport and wanted to do what he could to help the team.

As it has turned out, though, he can do quite a bit. Through two games, the 5-foot-8, 180-pound tailback has emerged as a playmaker out of the Cooper backfield, and he’s seen his role in the offense grow as a result.