High school football: Hard-working Hinson heads to Wingate – Salisbury Post

Cooper Hinson and grandparents Pat and Larry Hinson.Brian Willhite, Photography

Written by Mike London

mike.london@salisburypost.com

CHINA GROVE — Cooper Hinson is unlikely to break the Wingate University football team's records, but he will certainly be an asset to the Division II program.

Hinson is one of six Cougars in the class of 2024 who have a chance to play college football.

“Cooper is a really smart player on the field and off the field,” Carson head coach Jonathan Rowe said. “He was a kid you could count on to play any receiver position. He was also someone you could call in the summer if you needed someone to help line or color the field. He was a kid too. Just an all-around great young man.”

You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who loves and works as hard at the game as Hinson, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound receiver. Hinson has become a player and continues to improve every year.

“I have a passion for the game,” said Hinson, who has a 3.9 GPA. “I love every moment of being on the soccer field.”

Hinson grew up playing baseball as his primary sport, but his mindset changed at China Grove Junior High School, where he began to bond with Lowe and quarterback Michael Guiton, who were coaching at CGMS at the time.

“That’s when football became my main sport,” Hinson said. “I started setting some goals.”

Hinson was never the biggest guy or the fastest player in the huddle. He runs his 4.7.40 seconds. This means he's much faster than most, but he's not a prototypical wideout who runs by leaps and bounds.

Still, Hinson's skill, work ethic and determination during summer camp caught the attention of Wingate receivers coach Shedon Meadows, who was a standout at Appalachian State. They hit it off, and Meadows stayed in touch with Hinson after camp and began the recruiting process.

“Wingate invited me for a game day visit, which led to the offer,” Hinson said. “Coach Meadows is no longer with me (he was hired by Mercer University), but I appreciate him believing in me.”

Hinson paid his dues to Carson Jayvee.

As a junior, he made several catches for the varsity team. However, he made a significant jump between his junior and senior seasons.

“I got bigger and faster over the summer,” Hinson said. “I went through a lot of training to improve my agility and eye-hand coordination. I've progressed quite a bit as a route runner. As a senior, my routes became sharper and I was able to dive deeper. ”

Hinson's senior performance was still modest for a Division II rookie with 16 catches for 186 yards, but Carson lost Guiton to injury and Jay McGruder as young quarterback Griffin Barber adjusted to the speed of varsity play. I relied heavily on my legs.

Hinson caught three passes from Barber in the win over South Rowan. All three moved Cougar's chain.

“We had some key catches against Concord and I think it was our best win of the year,” Hinson said. “Even though we lost the Central Cabarrus game, I had my deepest catch of the year (40 yards) in that game and also had a 10-yard catch.”

Hinson has made significant contributions to Carson Athletics.

He recently finished his swimming season. As a fine first-year player. He placed fifth and seventh with PR in two individual events at the Rowan County Championships and was third on the relay team.

He now goes to the golf course several times a week to help the Cougars be competitive in the sport.

However, he still spends his time lifting weights and training for soccer. He's smart enough to realize that it would be a jump to Division II soccer.

He plans to major in exercise science.

No matter what happens in college, he will never forget his signing day at Carson.

The 6-foot-3, 270-pound Mars Hill signee took center stage with studs like South Piedmont Conference Lineman of the Year Tristen McBride, but it was hard work that really paid off. It reminded me of what would happen.

“It was great to look around the room and see their eyes light up,” Hinson said.