Mar-iner captain· signs with CalBy DAVID J. NICOLAS

After 'his' team's turn-around from a0-10 2008 season to a respectable 4-6record in '09, Moreau Catholic HighScho~l defensive specialist JosephColeman will continue his dream of play-ing football at the next level. 'The senior,who was selected to the First-Team AlI-Bay Shore League and Lineman of theYear last season; wilt play on scholarshipat Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in theCentral Coast, joining former Moreaufootball head.coachTim Walsh.

"I could wake up every day and notcomplain about playing football," Colemansaid about the signing. "It's something Iwant to do for the rest of my life."

Coleman finished his. final . highschool football season with 75 tackles, and eight sacks. He rushed fcr 10 yardsto score one touchdown on the offensiveside of the ball, too,

"We had the best football player on thefield every Friday night," said currentMoreau head coach Andrew Cotter aboutColeman. "Not all of the kids came from afootball background, but knowing that Joewas out there helped our team play withaggressionand confidence."

Coleman didn't mind the pressure.The 6'1", 265-pound lineman has playedcompetitive football since 2002. BeforeMoreau Catholic, he worked on his grid-iron skills in the Pop Warner LittleScholars league. He played baseball, bas-ketball and football in high school, even-tually making varsiry squads for the lattertwo. But as the schoolwork of an upperclassrnen .combined with the academicoblig~tions of college applications,

Coleman realized that giving up a sportwas almost necessary.

After his first SAT score made himineligible to play collegiate football,Coleman declined to play basketballuntil his test results improved. Liferevolved around practice tests instead ofdrills on the field; his teammates werenow his captain, encouraging him to hitthe books as hard as he hit his Fridaynight opponents ..The ,work paid off.- Scouts from San. Diego StateUniversiry, Idaho' State University,University of North Dakota, Universiryof Nevada, Las Vegas and Cal Polyshowed strong interest in Coleman. Butafter a weekendvisit to San Luis Obispo,Coleman fell in love with its welcomingcommunity and posiFive vibes from the'coaching staff. He knew that he was a fit.. Coleman will. play under Coach

Walsh who has a combined 117-82record in 18 seasons as a collegiate foot-

ball coach. He was a head coachSonoma State (1989-92) and PoState (1990-2006). During his tenureSonoma, Walsh helped the team'Northern California Athletic Conntitle in 1991 ;u{d two NCAA Divisiplayoff berths. Before being namedCal Poly's head .coach in Januaryhe was the offensive coordinatorquarterbacks coach at the United Stares.Military Academy., Walsh was also Moreau Catholic'shead coach from 1982-88.

Coleman can't' wait to continuefootball career at a Division IColeman will be expected to play 0..-to Cal Poly. He, is uncertain if hestudy business or criminal justice,will remain ambitious with his Errorisport and a little closer to fulfilling • -ultimate goal-an induction into the ~Hall of Fame as a player or a coach.

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along with three other partici-pants, will be judg.ed byCleveland Cavaliers All-StarLeBron James, NBA Legend L ~". Darryl Dawkins and two-time

-Dunkin'