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If DeShawn Coleman can continue the meteoric rise to which he’s ascended during the last year-plus, the sky’s the limit for his future.
Coleman came out of anonymity to lead the Hornets to the 2011 District 10 Class AA championship and a PIAA playoffs berth, as well as the Mercer County-area in both rushing and scoring.
Now Coleman may be headed to Morgantown, W. Va.
Hickory headmaster Bill Brest announced while returning Saturday evening from the Mountaineers’ spring game that Coleman has verbally committed to WVU head coach Dana Holgorsen.
Brest related, “DeShawn was invited down there last year to a summer camp, and what he did on the field, he extremely impressed (WVU coaches).”
In a team sport setting where Hickory had contributions on both sides of the ball it would not be accurate to say Coleman carried the club. But his numbers are undeniable.
Last season the speedster rushed 208 times for 2,381 yards (11.4 yards/carry) and 31 touchdowns for the Hornets (11-2). Hickory hurdled Gen. McLane (35-13) for the D-10 title, but was toppled by Tyrone (40-28) in its PIAA playoff opener. Coleman collected 36 total TDs for 216 points.
“(Division I) coaches are impressed with how DeShawn can get north and south on perimeter plays immediately,” Brest related, noting Coleman was clocked at 4.4 in the 40-yard dash during his sophomore year at a Youngstown State University summer camp.
“They’re impressed with his vision and cutting ability,” Brest continued. “And he has that frame (a fraction over 6-foot, 172 pounds) that they can put more weight on him.”
Though used sparingly, Coleman can catch the ball, too (8 receptions, 137 yards, 17.1 yards/catch, 3 TDs in 2011).
“He’s currently working on that,” Brest related regarding receiving. “(WVU coaches) like DeShawn at runing back, but down there their running backs are hybrid receivers who can play in the slot or out of the backfield, DeShawn’ll fit into (WVU’s) spread offense in a variety of ways.”
Last season quarterback Geno Smith orchestrated the offense for the Mountaineers (10-3), who amassed 489 points (37.6./game), culminating in a 70-33 clobbering of Clemson in the Discover-Orange Bowl. During Saturday’s spring game, Smith, playing for both squads, turned in a 23-for-29, 281-yard, 2-touchdown passing performance as the Blue outscored the Gold, 43-34.
Brest said Coleman considered several schools, including YSU — where one of his teammates who provided paths for him last season, offensive lineman Matt Bell, is headed — and Pitt (he also visited Penn State last fall) and Purdue. But Brest related, “People are just starting to call now — Ohio State, Virginia, Oklahoma State, Maryland ...
“But DeShawn had a comfort level down there (Morgantown),” Brest continued. “He’s excited about his major (landscape architecture), he’s excited about the football program, he’s excited about the coaching staff and loves their system, and he’s excited about playing in the Big 12 (Conference), also.”
WVU will leave the Big East Conference (effective June 30) — at a hefty cost of a $20 million exit settlement (normally there is a 27-month waiting period) — to join the Big 12 as part of college football’s changing landscape. The Mounties host in-state rival Marshall University on Sept. 1 to commence the 2012 campaign.
Saturday evening, Brest said he, assistant coach Walt Nogay and Ross Gargano (former Kennedy Catholic High and Thiel College standout and son of Hickory assistant Neal Gargano) were getting into the car afterwards and we asked him, ‘How do you feel?’
“He said he was so relieved,” Brest related. “Now he can concentrate on his studies, (weight) lifting and getting in shape. ... He’s surrounded by people who care about him and love him and are steering him in the right direction.
“His work-ethic has always been there,” Brest responded when asked if Coleman could become complacent, or will be mature enough to withstand the temptation to coast now that he’s verballed to a collegiate program. “We’re proud of him for that. Now he can get the distractions out of the way, enjoy his senior year and get after it.”
In addition to Coleman and Bell, Hickory has been sending others to college programs (versatile Andrew Smith is bound for Division II Edinboro University), but Brest is not busting his buttons for himself.
“We’re excited for DeShawn,” Brest emphasized. “We’re very much more happy for the kids; it’s all about the kids. But, yes, we’re excited for our football program. We’ve had three, four, five scholarship kids the last couple years and we’re happy because we’re trying to build a program. We’re excited for the kids.”
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Related Photos
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Hickory's DeShawn Coleman is pictured after scoring a 37-yard TD run against Tyrone in the PIAA playoffs last season at Mansion Park in Altoona.
Hickory's Coleman headed to WVU
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Playoffs: GC, Hounds win; Reynolds, Sharpsville softball advance
The District 10 playoffs kicked off on Tuesday for 4 area baseball teams and 5 softball squads.
In Class A softball, Reynolds edged West Middlesex, 5-4, in an 8-inning thriller while Sharpsville ousted Rocky Grove, 5-0. In Class AA, Northwestern beat Wilmington, 9-5, and Harbor Creek defeated Mercer, 4-3. -
Hickory boys edge WM for D-10 Class AA Track team title
HARBORCREEK — Hickory High co-head coach Mark Slezak referenced the term “exponential” in explaining the four-fold heart-felt feeling of having a relay team qualify for the PIAA Championships.
That sentiment seemed to summarize Mercer County’s performance during Saturday’s annual District 10 Class AA Track & Field Championships. -
5 area teams qualify for D-10 baseball playoffs
Five area baseball teams have qualified for the District 10 playoffs — Grove City, Kennedy Catholic, Sharpsville, West Middlesex and Wilmington.
In the Class A semifinals, Kennedy Catholic faces Cochranton at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Northwestern High School. Rocky Grove faces Eisenhower in the other semifinal game. -
Hickory, WM boys to collide at D-10 AA Track & Field Championships
For the 2nd time this week, a District 10 track & field team title could be decided by a pair of Mercer County contingents.
Just as Hickory and Grove City girls contested the Class AAA crown Wednesday night, so, too, are the Hickory and West Middlesex boys anticipating vying for Saturday’s AA title. -
Roundup: Reynolds baseball tops GC; Sharpsville, Wilmington softball teams win
ä Reynolds 4, Grove City 1 — At Transfer, Neal Engstrom fired a complete-game 3-hitter with 8 strikeouts and 3 walks in lifting the Raiders (9-8) past the Eagles (14-6).
Ryan Grace was tagged with the loss for Grove City. He struck out 6 batters, issued no walks and gave up 7 hits in going the distance. -
GC girls 3-peat at District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships
HARBORCREEK— Some athletes seeded 1st in four events would feel pressure. For Grove City High senior Daniel Jaskowak, it’s an opportunity for name recognition.
“I kind’ve like it. It’s cool, because people know who you are,” related Jaskowak, who won 3 events during Wednesday’s District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships. -
Hickory, GC girls collide at D-10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships
If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. Cliché though that is, it will be borne out today at the annual District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships.
Hickory High girls — the defending PIAA Class AA titlists — will test the best from the biggest. And the Lady Hornets hope to give as good as they get from the 6-county competition. -
Local tune up for districts at Mercer County Invite
There’s a difference between a warm-up and a warning.
If Saturday’s annual track & field invitational is any indication, Mercer County’s contingent issued a warning for the remainder of District 10: This could be a big year in area annals. -
Roundup: Grace, GC beat Sharon, 4-0, in 5 innings
With an impending storm blowing in above Johnny Pepe Field time was limited, so Ryan Grace greedily gobbled up putouts.
Grove City High’s Grace gave up only 3 base hits, and the visiting Eagles eased to an abbreviated 4-0, 5-inning win over Sharon Friday afternoon. -
HIGH SCHOOL SPRING SPORTS ROUNDUP: County track meet set Saturday at Hickory
The annual Mercer County Track & Field Invitational will be held at Hickory High’s Hornet Stadium Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m.
Competing are all Mercer County teams, Class AAA and AA, as well as Slippery Rock. The meet serves as a warm-up to the District 10 championships set next week at Harbor Creek High. - More Sports Headlines
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