By Jimmy Allinder
Since the Monroe Township High School football team moved up to the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Red Division in 2010, it has not seriously threatened to win a title.
This has been a rather tough pill for Falcons fans to swallow, especially since Monroe finished with outstanding records in the four previous seasons as a member of the White Division. The crowning achievement was in 2009 when the Falcons captured their first and only NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group III championship. Much of the credit for this success went to head coach Chris Beagan, and rightfully so. However, the former Sayreville War Memorial High School assistant returned to his alma mater in 2015 and was replaced by assistant Dan Lee, who is now in his second year at the helm.
This background information provides the context for how much Carlton Coleman, a 5-foot-9 all-purpose back on offense and middle linebacker on defense, means to the Falcons’ fortunes this fall.
“Carlton’s work ethic and dedication has been, and will continue to be, an essential part of our team’s success moving forward,” Lee said. “His leadership skills make him the perfect role model for our underclassmen. We need someone like Carlton to show players new to the program what it takes to win in our division.”
In a nutshell, as Coleman goes, so will Monroe.
The Falcons are coming off a 4-6 campaign and play a schedule chock full of perennial Red Division powers like Piscataway Township High School, South Brunswick High School, Sayreville War Memorial High School and Old Bridge High School. Actually, no Red Division opponent can be considered a pushover. An effective running game is a must if Monroe is to compete, thus Coleman will figure prominently.
Coleman knows it and embraces his role.
“All I have thought about during the offseason is go ‘all out’ and do my job because I know my teammates are counting on me, just like I am counting on them,” he said.
That’s why Coleman doesn’t shy away from his leadership responsibilities. Last season’s offensive player of the year knows winning is a two-way street, which eases the pressure that comes with being the go-to guy.
His fellow Falcons need do nothing but examine last year’s statistic sheet to appreciate what he can do on the football field. As middle linebacker, Coleman was credited with 40 tackles, three quarterback sacks and a fumble recovery. At running back, he carried 146 times for 766 yards, caught three passes for 36 yards and scored three touchdowns.
Coleman made the decision football would be his primary sport in the eighth grade before spring baseball practice began.
“Baseball was my sport up until then, but I decided not to play because I wanted to concentrate on football,” he said. “I still play for the basketball team and throw the discus for the track team, but football is my future.”
Where that lands Coleman following graduation could be at a number of small colleges, including Misericordia University outside Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and Gettysburg College.
Coleman’s grade-point average is 3.1, which make him a B+ student. He has stuck to a routine where he completes his homework immediately after practice and does little else but eat supper and get his necessary sleep. Off days, Coleman says, is when he hangs out with family, teammates and friends.
“I basically grew up exposed to a number of sports,” he said. “I chose football because everything came natural to me and I loved the feeling that came from doing something positive and resulted in our team winning.
“I realize people are counting on me to help our program move forward. I promise I will work as hard as I always have and dedicate myself to doing anything I can to make our team better.”
