Coleman threw for three touchdowns and nearly 200 yards in leading the Vikings to a much-needed 32-14 win over Gilmer County in critical Region 7-AAA game for the Vikings.
"I'm feeling more comfortable out there and the coaches have been working with me," Coleman said after the game. "It was tough against (Gainesville and North hall) but we didn't give up and came out thinking we could win tonight."
And Coleman, who has been filling in since senior Jamie Evans went down with a knee injury two weeks ago, shined best when the Vikings got down midway through the third quarter.
After Gilmer scored to grab a 14-12 lead, Coleman hit Marquez Jackson on a 45-yard strike just three plays later to regain control for East Hall. He connected with Patrick O'Neal on a 15-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter to put the game away for good.
Coach Tim Marchman said he was proud of how his team came back after suffering two straight blow out loses to gainesville and North Hall.
"We played a lot better team ball. We're still a young team and growing up but we did some good things on offense and the defense played well," Marchman said.
East Hall (2-2, 2-2) jumped out to a quick 12-0 lead in the first half on a 64-yard strike from Coleman to Todd Goss and then a 3-yard TD run by Goss.
Gilmer (2-2, 2-2) cut the lead to 12-6 with 8 seconds left in the first half.
The Vikings' Keith McClary provided the knockout punch with a 90-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter.
"That was a big play because it got us out of a hole and made it two scores to tie," Marchman said.
The Vikings and Marchman next will play host to his old team West Hall next week.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2003/9/171887