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After a remarkably successful 2019 season for his team, Richmond Hill’s rising senior quarterback Tyler Coleman says he is looking forward to an expanded role in 2020, on the field and in the locker room. 

One of the area’s many quarterbacks returning this season after starting behind center in 2019, Coleman’s stats from his junior campaign aren’t as eye-popping as some of the other notable gun-slingers returning in 2020, but that was (at least partially) due to his team’s run-first, defensive identity.

“You know, as a quarterback, I think you always want to have those touches and those opportunities to pass it,” Coleman said in a July phone call with PSR. “You want to have those stats, but for me, the stat line last year really didn’t matter because we had such a great defense and a great senior running back.

“But this year, I’m just hoping to step into that senior leadership role and build off what we did last year.”

Coleman threw for seven touchdowns and 1,094 yards on 92 of 164 (56 percent) passing while leading the Wildcats to eight straight victories in the middle portion of the schedule. He wasn’t asked to carry the team on his back through the air or take chances too often in the passing game, but Coleman’s understanding of his role was a big reason for the team’s success.

Led by superstar running back Jalen Rouse and one of the state’s best defensive units, RHHS was perfect in the months of October and November before eventually falling in the GHSA Class 6A semifinals to Allatoona (17-14 OT). It was the first ever trip to the football Final 4 for the Richmond Hill program as the 2019 Wildcats finished at 9-4 overall. 

“Because we got so far last year, I think we are all confident in what we can do this season with myself and a lot of other guys coming back,” Coleman said. “This year, I think it’s up to us. I think we can go as far as we want to.”

Individually, Coleman says he will be concentrating on improving his poise in the pocket on the field, but mostly he’ll be working to develop as a leader in the locker room for head coach Matt LeZotte and company.

“For me, (becoming a better leader) is about just knowing what we want to be doing on the field and gaining the trust of our entire locker room,” he said. “If you’re able to know the responsibilities of everyone on the field, and you can relay that stuff to the rest of the huddle, guys will trust that. And I want the guys on my team to trust me with the ball in my hands in key spots.”

Coleman and the Wildcats will look to build off their impressive 2019 campaign in 2020, but unlike last year, a now-veteran quarterback seems likely to be a key determinant for how successful RHHS will be in the end.

Follow Coleman on Twitter @12_TylerColeman.

Photos by Richmond Hill High School & Hudl