DEMOPOLIS &8212; Tuesday marked a milestone for the Demopolis High School soccer program and Rob Cook as the team&8217;s lone senior officially signed a scholarship offer to play for Faulkner University.

The signing will send Cook to Montgomery to take part in a young program heading into its fifth year of existence where he will compete in the Southern States Athletic Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Cook first displayed his game to the Faulkner coach at a tryout earlier this year along with approximately 50 other hopefuls.

Cook earned enough attention to draw a visit from Mitchell during Demopolis&8217; Feb. 26 contest against Pleasant Grove, a game in which he converted three goal-scoring opportunities.

Cook is only the second Demopolis soccer player and the first boys&8217; player to ink a deal to play at the next level. Last year, Megan Keen accepted a scholarship offer to play at Shelton State in Tuscaloosa.

Sending players to the next level for two consecutive years could signal a turning point for a program which struggled through scoreless seasons during its formative years.

What is certain is that Cook will attempt to represent Demopolis at the next level while getting to play the game he loves.

Michael Cook is hopeful Mitchell and his staff will be able to help Rob overcome the three seasons he spent away from the game while part of an Illinois school system that did not have a soccer program.

Rob resumed the game when his family relocated to Demopolis four years ago. In his time on the DHS squad, his speed and ball skills have proven invaluable to a developing Tiger squad.