KFBCA Top 11: Cooper Marx

The Kansas Football Coaches Association picked their All-State teams in early December, including the All-Class Top 11. Kansas Pregame is providing capsules for each of the Top 11 selections. Check out Andale fullback and linebacker Cooper Marx's capsule below. For a look at the complete 2024 KFBCA All-State teams click here.

Andale senior Cooper Marx, a bruising 6-foot, 220-pound fullback and linebacker, closed out his high school football career as one of the most dominant two-way players in 3A. Marx earned a spot on the KFBCA Top 11 for his contributions to Andale’s 2024 Class 3A state championship team, which finished 13-0 and reclaimed the 3A state title after a narrow miss in 2023. The Indians’ undefeated season marked their fifth state championship in six years and saw them outscore opponents 268-54 in the playoffs.

Marx, who was recognized as the Sports in Kansas 3A Defensive Player of the Year, was a key player on both sides of the ball. As a back, he rushed for 733 yards and 12 touchdowns on just 43 carries his senior year, averaging a stellar 17 yards per carry. On defense, he recorded 26 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and an interception, returning it for a touchdown. Additionally, Marx set a school record with 56 pancake blocks, epitomizing his physical style of play in Andale’s power-run offense.

“Cooper always had a positive impact on his teammates,” Andale head coach Dylan Schmidt said. “He was a very selfless leader and a guy everyone respected.”

Marx’s physical presence and athleticism made him a nightmare for opponents no matter where he was on the field.

“He is a physical presence at 6-foot, 220 pounds,” Schmidt said. “He was a blocking animal and a nightmare to tackle. On defense, he was very physical and tough to block.”

Marx’s versatility also saw him excel on special teams, where he averaged 48 yards per punt over his career.

One of the defining individual moments of Marx’s senior season recalled by Coach Schmidt was an early game catch in the Class 3A state championship game against Hayden, which they won 36-19.

“A play that stands out for me was his first catch in the state championship game on our second offensive play,” Schmidt said. “It was a 53-yard gain on the catch and just shows what a weapon Cooper was. He is known for his blocking and running, but he is such a good athlete we could throw the ball to him as well.”

Marx’s contributions to Andale extend beyond his senior season. Over his four-year varsity career, the Indians won three state titles and compiled a 49-2 record, with both losses coming in his junior season against eventual 2023 3A state champion Cheney in Week 7 and again in the state semifinals, losing those games by a combined 10 total points. The Indians got their payback this fall with a 52-14 state quarterfinal trouncing of the Cardinals.

Marx hails from one of the most decorated sports families in Kansas history that have contributed greatly to the Indian’s program, including his brother Riley Marx, now a thrower for K-State track and field, and cousins Matt and Mason Fairchild, who were also selected to the KFBCA Top 11 in past seasons. Like his brother, Marx himself is an elite thrower, with junior marks of 50-9.25 at state in the shotput (5th), 163-3 at state in the discus (3rd), and though a shoulder injury affected his ability to throw the javelin as a junior, his sophomore season he finished fourth at state in the event - behind his brother Riley who finished first - with a throw of 186-4. He is also elite in the hammer throw with a PR of 193-10 in the non-KSHSAA sanctioned event, ranking him among the nation’s best.

Currently holding a 3.75 GPA, Marx is undecided on his college choice, but has interest in both football and track and field. He currently holds a football offer from Independence Community College with more likely to follow.