1954-1972

East Central's Coleman finds home for himself By Frank Williamson The Meridian Star DECATUR - Now that East Central Junior College free safety Henry Coleman is comfortable, life is not very different for the freshman from Louisville. When Coleman finished his senior season with .the Wildcats, which included an appearance in the all-star game, he went to Livingston University. He said he stayed there about a week. " It had nothing to do with the team or coaches or anything but I didn't feel like I was at home, " Coleman said. "I didn 't feel comfor– table there, I just had to get away. So I talked to (Louisville and North all-star teammate) Bryant Carter and he said I ought to try to come here." The move has worked for Coleman and the Warriors. After a one– game try at cornerback, the freshman was returned to free safety. Last week, Coleman started East Central's 24-14 win over East Mississippi by intercepting a pass on the first play from scrimmage. He returned it 40 yards to set up the first of Marvin Pearson's three touchdowns. He also caused two fumbles during the contest. "It's not really that different," Coleman said, referring to the change from high school to junior college. "You need to know a little bit more and the league is much tougher, but the atmosphere is no dif– ferent. I'm still being around coaches and players and that's the same. In football , you're going to be able to adjust no matter where you are. " Defensive secondary coach Tony Triplett agrees Coleman has made a successful transition. "He's done a real outstanding job working at free safety, " Triplett said. "He's played in the secondary real well. His ability to cover the field from his position has helped us more than anything." Head coach A.J. Kilpatrick added, "He's not real big, but he 's got height and speed. He certainly fits in and he's learned what we 're try– ing to do. "He certainly is a guy who can play football for us well." Coleman said he would like to get six interceptions this year. He claimed no specific reason for choosing that particular number but he remembered making four steals in his junior season at Louisville. In hearing the description of his first junior college interception, one might believe he can achieve such a goal. "The flanker was going out one side and the split end on the weak side was behind me posting deep, " Coleman said. "Once the quarter– back showed me where he was going to throw it, I knew where it was going. " '1

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