Something to talk about: Conversation leads to successful stint at keeper for Blue Devils’ Cook

QUINCY — Ron Bridal had a plan if Grayson Cook was game.

If it kept him from running cross country, Cook certainly was intrigued.

Three years ago, when Cook and his parents were in the Quincy High School athletic office after enrolling him for his freshman year, they happened to cross paths with Bridal, the QHS boys soccer coach. A conversation ensued because Cook, whose family had moved to Quincy from Pittsfield, was in search of a fall sport to play in order to stay in shape for baseball.

“I was really not looking forward to running cross country, so it was kind of nice he talked to me and helped me find another way around it,” Cook said.

Bridal’s suggestion was to play soccer and potentially become a goalie.

“I told him, ‘If you can catch a ball, I can make a goalie out of you,’” Bridal said. “That’s kind of the direction we went.”

Now a senior, Cook has been one of the backbones of the Blue Devils’ stingy defensive effort. He’s started every game in goal, posted six shutouts and helped the Blue Devils build some momentum for the looming Class 3A Alton Regional.

Not bad for a kid who hadn’t played soccer prior to high school other than a recreational league in Pittsfield.

“I took a break whenever junior high baseball came around,” Cook said. “I hadn’t touched a soccer ball in a long, long time.”

Nor did he fully realize the kind of endurance it takes.

Cook went into the start of practice his freshman season with the intent of doing whatever the coaches asked him to do. It wasn’t long until he volunteered to be a goalkeeper, much like Bridal had suggested.

“They were doing these field player drills and we were running around a bunch,” Cook said. “I was like, ‘Man, I really don’t like running.’ Coach Chad Struck says, ‘Do we seriously not have a goalkeeper for this team?’ I just raised my hand and said, ‘I’ll do it if you need me to.’”

It proved to be a natural fit.

Cook, who has committed to play baseball at John Wood Community College next year, had played third base in junior high and with his traveling teams. It meant he had the hands and the reaction time required of a goalkeeper.

“Playing the hot corner, you’re just trying to get a body on the ball and make sure nothing gets past you,” Cook said. “That absolutely really helps with goalkeeping.”

Bridal, a Hall of Fame goalkeeper in his playing days, saw that when he began training Cook.

“For him, it was the can-do attitude to begin with and he was up for the challenge,” Bridal said. “The other thing was he played baseball and was a third baseman, and with his level of athleticism, if he can handle the hot corner, he can handle a soccer ball.”

Cook also learned to play with the aggression and command of the box Bridal expects, something Cook picked up playing behind former QHS goalkeeper Frank Heck.

“He was a real physical and aggressive goalkeeper,” Cook said. “I think that fed into my style a little bit. Bridal always tells me to play with my fists flying. The fact they’ve given me that go-getter attitude has helped me in that sense.”

Bridal’s impact on Cook’s ability to win balls in the air and fend off corner kicks can’t be overstated.

“The progression he’s helped me make is huge,” Cook said. “I came into the program not knowing how to pass the ball correctly, and now I like to believe I can do quite a bit.”

It’s allowed him to enjoy playing soccer, although baseball remains his first love.

“It definitely went better than I thought it would when I first started,” Cook said.

Credit that to having capable defenders in front of him.

“Our defense has a lot of grit and get-up-and-go,” Cook said. “The guys just hustle and get after it. They know the game. It’s not their first rodeo. They kind of have an idea of what’s going to happen. And having played together for a while helps the chemistry we have on the back line. The communication skills they have really help my job as a goalkeeper.”

Couple that with his presence and the Blue Devils carry confidence into Wednesday’s regional semifinal matchup against Belleville East.