High School Sports

Cannon Coleman is in the final stages of a four-year term as Carlisle's quarterback.

The Coleman Administration has been successful and historic in the tiny town of Price.

Coleman, entering his senior year, has presided over the Carlisle offense as the starting quarterback since his freshman season.

He has posted a 24-10 record as the starter, including a 12-2 mark in 2006 when the Indians snapped a 15-year playoff drought.

The 2006-07 season was a special one for both Coleman and Carlisle.

The football team advanced to the state quarterfinals, and the baseball team lost in the regional finals with Coleman putting up stellar numbers as a pitcher.

While baseball is his favorite sport, it doesn't provide Coleman with the same rush that football brings.

"I've been almost to state in baseball, and almost to state in football, and nothing's like a Friday night," Coleman said of playing football under the lights and hearing the band blaring.

Coleman will tell you that he's a better pitcher than quarterback, but he brings other intangibles as a football player.

He's operating a new offense this season, the double wing. It's still based on the run, but the formations are more compact and there's more misdirection plays.

"He spent a lot of the summer learning it," said Carlisle head coach Rocky Baker. "He's not the greatest athlete, but by far he's one of the hardest workers. He's knowledgeable, smart."

Coleman sounded more like a coach at Carlisle's media day as he discussed the team's new offense and personnel.

"I like it a lot," Coleman said. "We've got some running plays in there for me and some passing plays. We look real good at it. We've got a power runner (Jeffrey Williams) and we've got a guy with some speed (Chance Stewart). Our fullback is Fernando Garza, a four-year starter. They all can catch the football; we all can run the football."

Carlisle ended last season at 6-4 as the Indians cooled off after a hot start to the season. The Indians graduated some key starters off that team.

"We're new and we're young, but we have a lot of senior leadership," Coleman said. "As long as guys fall in, we're going to be all right."

Carlisle senior quarterback Cannon Coleman is 24-10 as the starter.
(Staff Photo By Joe Buie)