TexasHoops.com - 2013 3A Quarterback Spotlight

January 4, 2013

It's that time of the year when pads have been turned in and the sound of clanking weights signifies the start of off-season across the state of Texas. Football fans, in an effort to feed their hungering appetite, begin to look ahead to next season. While looking forward it might be a good idea to begin looking at two quarterbacks in Class 3A, Lorena's Harris Coleman and Hidalgo's Shea Patterson.

Lorena's Harris Coleman (Class of 2014) goes 6-0, 215-pounds and has drawn comparisons to Tim Tebow. Coleman finished the 2013 season with an astounding stat line of 1,758 yards, 15 touchdowns passing and another 1,912 yards and 31 rushing scores. Accounting for 3,670 total yards (ranking 6th among 3A QB's in 2012), Harris also added 35 PAT's and was 6-for-6 on field goal attempts. His 251 points scored in 2012 ranks him at 50th in points scored in a single season in all classifications.

Coleman began his ascent during his sophomore season (2011-2012) after being called up from JV due to an injury to varsity quarterback Fisher Simpson in week nine. Wasting neither time nor opportunity, Coleman was an integral part of a Lorena three-round-deep playoff run by becoming the go-to red zone quarterback. Carrying that success and leadership over to the 2012 season, Coleman solidified himself as a dangerous two-way threat. In a season Lorena was to be in re-building mode, it was Coleman's ability to keep opposing defenses on its heels in key district victories over La Vega and Robinson to capture the District 17-3A championship. Along with capturing District 17-3A MVP honors, Harris also carries a 4.0 GPA.

A good clip south lies the valley town of Hidalgo Texas. Within this small outpost situated in District 32-3A you will find one of the best sophomore-to-be quarterbacks in the state in Shea Patterson (6'1, 180), who has already committed to the University of Arizona.

Last season, Patterson led the Pirates to a 7-4 overall record and a two-round-deep playoff run while posting numbers not typical of a freshman QB (1,376 yards, 18 TD's passing , 414 yards and 6 TD's rushing). Hidalgo coach Scott Ford says Patterson is, "the best freshman I have ever coached and quite possibly the best football player I have coached." While Patterson is blessed with an abundance of natural ability, Ford says his feel for the game and his work ethic are what make him such an outstanding football player.

As impressive as his ability to put the ball on the money in tight spaces and ability to move in and out of the pocket, Patterson's pedigree is almost as impressive. Grandfather George played for the 1968 Detroit Pistons while father Sean played basketball for the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Brother Sean Patterson was a record-setting quarterback at Division 2 Duquesne University.

Ggoodwin@TheOldCoach.com

Follow us, like us, and e-mail us here: