After all those big-name schools came to meet him at Rye Country Day last winter and spring, Cullen Coleman knew he'd face the pressure of living up to that hype. His ability to erase whatever doubts might exist was compromised when he suffered a hamstring injury during spring track.
Coleman pulled the hammy again during football camp in June and had been limited at summer workouts and fall practices because of it. That finally changed last week.
"No more training wheels," he said.
With all restrictions lifted, the Northwestern commit flashed his great promise and went viral for his efforts during the Wildcats' 41-20 victory at Montclair Kimberley (N.J.) Saturday.
Coleman churned out 416 all-purpose yards and scored six touchdowns while delivering a pair of absolutely hellacious stiff-arms on one of them.
SUPER 11 PROFILE: Rye Country Day's Cullen Coleman
"Since I've been playing football, I've tried to juke by people because I think I have agility and speed," he said. "But sometimes I just have to use my size and strength to my advantage."
The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder displayed that element in last week's loss to the Pingry School when he flattened a defender with such force that it removed the player's helmet. The play resulted in a short gain in an otherwise forgettable 14-7 loss.
This week's highlight-worthy play was different. Not only did it lead to a 57-yard touchdown catch that spurred a Rye Country Day win, it left two stiff-armed would-be tacklers in his wake.
Because of force of Coleman's runs and his status as a top recruit — before committing to Northwestern, he earned offers from the likes of Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State and Michigan, among others — videos of the plays have bounced around social media and been shared by people who have never seen him or met him.
"Seeing the video everywhere, it's been crazy," he said. "I know I don't have to be at that level every game, but I want to be up there. I think I can keep playing like this the rest of the season."
Coleman has set a high standard. His day included 20 carries for 240 yards and four touchdowns, the 57-yard touchdown catch and an 88-yard kickoff return for a score.
He knows observers and opponents will continue to expect the spectacular from him, but he's OK with the attention.
"For sure," Coleman said. "I'm glad I came out and did what I had to show that I am the big-time player that people talk about. Being a big recruit, sure it comes with a lot of pressure. I want to prove myself and prove that I can be that kind of player."
Rye Country Day will travel to Morristown, N.J. to meet Morristown-Beard Friday before returning home to host Hackley on Oct. 11.
Hen Hud regroups after blocked kick
It wasn't just the blocked extra point in the final seconds. Hen Hud had squandered a couple of chances to score and also lost four turnovers, one of which resulted in one of only two Lourdes' touchdowns. Those were all the sore points after an irritating 13-12 loss on Sept. 20.
"They were mad," Hen Hud coach John Catano said of his players. "We were mad. We knew we had outplayed them."
The loss left the Sailors motivated, and they leaned on that motivation in Friday's 27-0 victory over Beacon.
CATANO HIRED: Hen Hud graduate comes home
The win snapped a two-game losing streak that included losses to John Jay-Cross River and Lourdes. Catano thought his players had something of a defeatist attitude entering those games, but he also praised the players for their effort in trying to set a new tone so quickly.
It hasn't been easy. Catano, a Hen Hud graduate who was a longtime coach at neighboring Croton-Harmon, wasn't hired until July 10. He said the coaches and players were behind schedule but they have continued to mesh each week.
"We've tried to change a lot of stuff here," he said. "I had to slow it down, but they're definitely starting to buy into it."
And then there were eight
Just eight unbeaten football teams remain in Section 1. Just about all of them will be put to a significant test this week, which is the best of the season so far.
Two featured games on Friday will include pair of 4-0 teams: Nyack will travel to Yorktown and defending Class B champ Ardsley will visit Byram Hills. Both games will have heavy playoff implications.
And the other 4-0 teams might face their toughest opponents yet Friday. In fact, all four of them are scheduled to play 3-1 opponents, three of them on the road.
Clarkstown South is headed to Rye for a rematch of last year's Class A semifinal upset. The unbeaten Vikings were then a perfect 8-0 when Rye avenged its regular-season loss to them to reach the sectional final.
Somers, another of this year's Class A favorites, will test undefeated Fox Lane Friday. Nearby, Lakeland, which is riding a three-game winning streak, will host defending Section 1 champ John Jay-Cross River, which has cruised to its 4-0 start.
In Class AA, the last remaining unbeaten is four-time defending Section 1 champ New Rochelle. The Huguenots will travel to John Jay-East Fishkill Friday night in a rematch of last year's championship game.
Follow Josh Thomson on Twitter and Instagram at @lohudinsider.
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