MUSKEGON TOWNSHIP - Reeths-Puffer head football coach Cody Kater has a secret offensive weapon up his sleeve.
It's not a complete secret, of course, because teams throughout the area are well aware of speedy senior Kameron Coleman, particularly opponents in the O-K Green conference.
But Coleman has been used somewhat sparingly in the Rockets' offensive attack so far this season.
That’s because the team has a surplus of talented playmakers, including breakaway running back Brody Johnson, big-armed quarterback Antrel Jones, big-play slot receiver Bryce Ross and several skilled wideouts.
R-P's Kameron Coleman
But Kater thinks Coleman's opportunities with the ball will increase as the Rockets head into the crucial final four games of the regular season, starting on Friday against Grand Rapids Union on the road.
Coleman, a slot receiver on offense, is equally dangerous running and catching the ball, and is a good guy to have around in big games, according to Kater.
“He’s probably our fastest guy going vertically and spreading the field horizontally,” Kater said. “It’s just a matter of getting him the rock on a consistent basis. You’re going to start seeing him come out of his shell more toward the end of the season.”
Coleman shrugs when the topic of offensive touches comes up. He realizes he’s on a team with a lot of talented skill players and is happy to play whatever role is deemed necessary.
“It depends on how the game is going and who is in that mode,” he said. “I know the ball will come my way at the right time. I’m not too focused on it. We have a good set of receivers, a good running back and a good quarterback. We can divide the ball pretty well. It all depends on who's hot.”
Photo/Joe Lane
On the other hand, Coleman believes his touches will increase in the coming weeks.
“I’m feeling a pretty big game coming my way,” he said with a grin. “I’ve talked to Coach Kater and he said something similar. We’re just staying patient and when the time comes I will be ready.”
Coleman has already given some big hints about the kind of damage he can do when he has the ball.
He had an impressive 66-yard touchdown catch in the season-opening victory over Grand Haven.
He caught a 41-yard pass in Week 2 at Farmington, leading to a touchdown in another victory.
Photo/Joe Lane
He had a great game in Week 4 against Holland, rushing the ball eight times for 114 yards, including a 10-yard scoring run and a 38-yard run.
“I was kind of banged up after that game, but it was fun,” he said.
Coleman is also a major force on defense in a quieter way, which is a good thing. Kater calls him a “lockdown cornerback” because receivers rarely beat him to the ball, so opposing quarterbacks rarely throw in his direction.
“We know if they throw against us, they will throw away from No. 4,” Kater said. “Mona Shores threw on him twice, and one was an interception that was called back due to a penalty.
Photo/Joe Lane
“He’s patient and never panics when the ball is in the air. That’s something you can’t teach.”
Coleman says he likes the challenge of playing cornerback because of the obvious pass/fail component. If he screws up and the receiver beats him, everyone sees it and knows it, which is great motivation.
“Last year I had two or three moments I kind of let slip away, but I kind of learned from it and this year I’m doing pretty good,” he said.
Coleman has become a solid all-around contributor for the Rockets, according to Kater. He does a good job with his blocking assignments on offense, gets his share of tackles on defense and plays well on special teams.
Photo/Joe Lane
He has attracted the attention of several smaller college football programs and could very well extend his career beyond high school.
“He’s one of the kids who has really changed the most in the last year, in terms of his body and mentality," Kater said. "He’s become a student of the game and does a great job of knowing and carrying out his assignments. He’s really grown in that area in the last year and a half.
" He’s starting to see the big picture. He’s playing well on both sides of the ball and on special teams. He’s a legitimate Division 2 prospect.”
