Washington's Coker got bigger and better

WASHINGTON - He got bigger, a lot bigger.

Alex Coker gained 30 pounds from last football season to this football season. It was a change in diet, adding more protein, and hitting the weights even harder, if that's possible for a guy whose coach says always is the first to enter the Washington (Iowa) workout room and the last to leave.

Being 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds meant the senior had to change positions. He moved from cornerback to safety defensively and wingback to fullback in the Demons' "Pistol" offense.

But there's no doubt bigger has been better for Coker. Just look at the numbers.

He has 1,428 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. His TD total actually is 30 when you throw in two receiving, two punt-return and a kickoff-return score.

Most importantly, Washington is 11-1 as it enters its Class 3A playoff semifinal Thursday night against Solon. Kickoff at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls is set for 8:21.

"A lot of it has to do with our offensive line," Coker said. "You can have an all-state running back back there and everything. But if you have an all-state line, you could have anyone at running back and he'd get yards."

You've got to love the modesty. Washington Coach Randy Schrader said that's just another part of what makes Coker so good.

"His leadership qualities are outstanding," Schrader said. "He's the first guy to give a teammate a ride. He sets a great example. His teammates look up to him."

Coker is a three-year starter for Washington, which lost to Pella in the second week of the regular season, 14-7, but avenged that defeat and then some in a 28-0 playoff quarterfinal last week. He was named a second-team all-state defensive back last season by the Des Moines Register, which made his move from corner to safety a little curious.

Why mess with something that works, right? But, again, it's about the size, and it's worked out.

The guy he flipped with (Carl Sivels) leads Washington with four interceptions.

"You have to read the whole field," Coker said. "That's the biggest difference. You see different players, not just the same guys all the time. Plus you're dealing with offensive linemen as well."

Safety appears to be his college position. Coker is being recruited by FCS schools South Dakota, South Dakota State and Western Illinois, among others.

He's not worrying about his future at the moment, just Thursday night and Solon.

"I think we're mirror images of each other," Schrader said. "They've got great speed, they're well coached. Size, comparing man to man, is not a lot different. We're only an hour apart, though we've got to travel two to play. It's going to be a great environment, a great game."

"We run the same offense, physically we're about the same," agreed Coker. "We just have to stay positive and have our guys do what they've done all year."