Cooper Collects First Career NEFC Defensive Player of the Week Award

BEVERLY, Mass. - Senior defensive lineman Marcell Cooper (Dorchester, Mass.) was a key factor in Endicott's efforts to shutdown Maine Maritime's relentless running game in a 53-28 Gulls win over the Mariners on Homecoming.  Cooper was named NEFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance, the first weekly honor the captain has received in his career. 

Along with Cooper's accolades, junior quarterback Drew Frenette (New Bedford, Mass.) and freshman punt returner Jake Pelletier (Trumbull, Conn.) were named to the NEFC's Honor Roll for their respective games on offense and special teams.  Frentte threw for 324 with five touchdowns while Pelletier had 82 punt return yards, including a 72-yard return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.  

Cooper tied teammate Nick Kozlowski (Beverly, Mass.) for a team-high 13 tackles on Saturday, seven of which were solo and one which went for a loss of yardage.  Cooper forced two of Maine Maritime's five fumbles  and recorded a pass breakup at the line of scrimmage.  

The Endicott defense held Maine Maritime without a point in the second half after putting 28 in the first two quarters.  That defensive stand, due in large part to Cooper's efforts, helped the offense put up 32 unanswered points and erase a halftime deficit.  

Cooper and the rest of the Endicott football team return to action this Saturday for a 1:00 pm kickoff with Nichols.  The game is being played on the road at Vendetti Field in Dudley, Massachusetts.