Chris Cole Jr. will enter the 2023 season as Brooks County High School’s feature back, and while many football fans may have expected Cole Jr. to just naturally pick up where his famous father, Chris Cole Sr., left off almost 30 years ago, Cole Jr. has had to work hard to earn his way here. He had to overcome a couple of challenges when he first joined the Trojans varsity squad two seasons ago.
First of all, Cole Jr. was being compared to his father, who most still consider the greatest running back to ever play the position for the Trojans. It’s always tough playing in the shadow of a father who played before you, much less one who shares your name.
Then, in his first season with the varsity as a freshman, Cole Jr. was trying to break into the rotation behind another great player in Omari Arnold, who led Brooks County to a state championship while surpassing Cole Sr. as the school’s all-time leading rusher.
That made for a bit of a tough start for Cole Jr., according to Trojans head football coach Maurice Freeman.
“In Chris’s freshman season, he was playing behind a great back like Omari, who is now a starting running back at Georgia Southern,” Freeman said. “Plus, we went on to win a state championship, and Chris was still trying to find his way into the rotation, and I’m sure that was a little frustrating for him.”
Then came more challenges for Cole Jr..
Last year, during his sophomore season at Brooks County, Cole suffered an early season injury with an MCL sprain, which Freeman said set him back before he really got started that year.
“Any time a running back is facing a nagging injury like that on their legs, that’s tough, especially when you’re a player like Chris still trying to break through and show what he can do,” Freeman said.
Cole Jr. would not be deterred, however.
“Chris remained enthusiastic, kept a great attitude, and worked hard,” Freeman said. “He really remained determined all of last season.”
It was not easy, according to the Trojans head coach.
“We played a very tough schedule, and Chris took a bunch of licks out there, but he stayed with it,” Freeman said.
Cole Jr. ended up with a solid season, emerging as Brooks County’s go-to rusher. He finished the year with 903 yards rushing and 14 TDs.
Still, Freeman said he thought Cole Jr. could be better.
“He was just missing something,” Freeman said. “I thought he was still a step slow.”
Determined to make himself a better player and running back, Cole Jr. ran track this offseason, and that seemed to kickstart the rising junior. Freeman and other Brooks County coaches took notice.
“When Chris came out of track, he had picked up another gear,” Freeman said. “Then that carried over into our spring practice, and in our spring game (versus Coffee), Chris showed us flashes that he can be great. Chris proved to us that he was the dude in the spring game.”
The head coach isn’t the only one who has noticed the improvement in Cole Jr.’s play. Brooks County offensive coordinator Josh McFather sees the improvement too.
“Chris had a very decent season last year, but he has grown and improved exponentially this offseason,” McFather said. “He’s gotten much stronger and faster this offseason. When it comes to work ethic and the mental side of the game, Chris is unmatched. He comes every day ready to work and get after it. Chris is a real lunch pail type of guy.”
Freeman said Cole Jr. has come a long way in a short period of time and has left no doubt that he is ready to go in 2023 – and 2024.
“Chris has done his job this summer,” Freeman said. “He has shown me all the things to become our feature running back. He has become one of the best players on our team – period.
“As the head coach, you love to see a player make the leap like Chris has.”
Cole Jr.’s father has noticed his son’s improvement too.
“His work ethic has been the main thing and his explosion to the hole,” Cole Sr. said about his son’s main areas of improvement this offseason.
The father said last season’s first-round playoff loss has been a huge motivator for his son this offseason.
“Chris has a very large chip on his shoulder after that first-round playoff loss,” Cole Sr. said. “That loss has really motivated Chris to want to contribute more.”
As you would expect, Cole Sr. is happy to see his son doing well and blazing his own path, even if dad is providing a few tips along the way.
“Yes, I’m very proud of him” Cole Sr. said. “He has handled all of my workouts, and he is ready to start the season.”
Spoken like a proud father.
