Hickory's DeShawn Coleman is the 2011 MyValleySports.com Big 22 Pennsylvania player of the year.
"I don't know, it's just special to me," said Coleman. "I didn't even know I was going to win this. I get up there, and I was nervous talking in front of people."
Just a junior, Coleman rushed for nearly 2,400 yards and 34 touchdowns. The yards earned on the ground set a new school record. He also accounted for 40 percent of his team's scoring output.
"Any time DeShawn touches the ball, a six-yard hitch route, can turn into an 80-yard run," said Bill Brest, Hickory's head coach. "One missed tackle can turn into an 80-yard run. Defensively, he has such great range. He can make things happen defensively as well."
"I just think to myself, I want to be the best and be the greatest. I try my hardest. My goals are to make it to the state championship and beat my own records from this year and try my hardest," Coleman continued.
Coleman averaged over 14 yards per carry in helping the Hornets to their first District Ten title in 20 years.
"DeShawn has God given ability. DeShawn is also a hard worker in that weight room. The God given ability plus his work ethic is a key to him," said Brest.
