Andover Central’s Cooper Mason, the anticipation of Friday nights is what drives months of offseason preparation.
“I’m most excited about getting back on the field with my teammates and seeing all the work we’ve put in during the offseason pay off,” Mason said. “We’ve built a strong bond as a team, and I think we have the potential to accomplish some big things this season. My favorite thing is playing on Friday nights and making plays in front of the town.”
Mason, a two-way contributor for the Jaguars, has spent much of his offseason focused on expanding his role as both a leader and a more complete player. That effort has included time in the weight room, attending camps, and studying film in hopes of sharpening his game on both sides of the ball.
“This offseason I’ve been working on becoming a leader on the team,” Mason said. “I’ve got out to the field with all different kinds of teammates and we help each other become better. I’ve gone to many camps and was able to compete and learn. I’ve also been very active in the weight room with my team and also by myself to become a more complete player. I’ve spent hours watching and studying all different kinds of film also.”
Mason said that development has not just been physical, but mental as well, as he looks to improve his endurance and consistency late in games.
“One area I want to improve in is overall explosiveness and mental toughness,” he said. “Playing on both sides of the ball can be draining especially towards the end of games but being able to push through it and keep my explosiveness can be extremely beneficial for us. I want to be someone the team and coaches can rely on to consistently make plays and always give everything I got.”
Those goals extend beyond individual performance. Mason said he is focused on becoming a dependable playmaker while helping push Andover Central toward a deep postseason run.
“My individual goals for next season are to be a reliable playmaker, become a leader on and off the field, earn more college attention, and be the biggest competitor on the field,” Mason said. “Team wise our overall goal is to win games, make a deep playoff run and be the best team we can be every week, and to also enjoy the season.”
Mason’s production last season reflected his impact on both sides of the ball. On offense, he recorded 684 all-purpose yards, averaging 68.4 yards per game, and scored five touchdowns. Defensively, he totaled 68 tackles, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, two field goal blocks, and returned one for a touchdown.
His efforts earned him recognition in the league, including first-team all-league honors as a defensive back and second-team all-league honors as a wide receiver. He also received all-state honorable mention recognition.
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