Players to Watch: Wildcats vs Lumberjacks
By Kody Acevedo
NAU Players:
Jan 21, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Northern Arizona Lumberjacks mascot Louie the Lumberjack in attendance of the game between the Phoenix Suns against the Portland Trail Blazers at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Blazers 118-113. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Emmanuel Butler is the leading Lumberjack receiver through the first two weeks of the season.
So far, the Phoenix native has caught four TD passes and racked up 270 yards on nine catches.
The sophomore started the season off with a bang against Stephen F. Austin. He totaled 216 receiving yards and finished 30 yards shy of breaking a 36-year-old school record for single game receiving yards, which was set a 245.
Butler graduated from Mountain Pointe High School in 2014. During his high school days, he was a three-year starter, captain and a two-year letter winner.
Case Cookus has been a treat for the Lumberjacks. The redshirt freshman quarterback has, so far, been everything and more for NAU.
Through his first two games of his high school career, Cookus is 30-for-42 with five touchdowns and 528 total yards.
Cookus graduated Thousand Oaks High School in Thousand Oaks, California is 2014. Last season, he attended Ventura Junior College. This year, he beat out senior quarterbacks Kyren Poe and Jordan Perry for the starting gig.
NAU coach Jerome Souers told the Arizona Republic that Cookus has good vision and good instincts for someone his age. Souers also praised his mobility and and accurate arm.
The Wildcats will be a true test for the youngster Saturday night.