Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Senior DeShun Coleman is a three-year starter at quarterback and a true leader for the Callaway Cavaliers, but waiting in the wings is his heir apparent sophomore Blake Harrington. 

Harrington brings different attributes to the team than Coleman and has shown such promise in the offseason that he has worked his way into the playbook.

“Going into the game I knew I would get a few reps, but I didn’t expect to get as many as I did,” Harrington said. “After the first play the jitters are out of your system and it feels great.”

Harrington played sparingly last year in blowouts against the likes of Redan and Towers, but has already received reps in big moments against Cedartown and Troup.

“It was a whole different level because both of those teams have a chance to make a deep run in 4A,” Harrington said. “It is good to get some experience against those levels of teams.”

Harrington, like the entirety of the Callaway offense, could not find much rhythm against the Tigers in week two. But the season opener against Cedartown was a different story.

He finished as the team’s second leading rusher in the game, taking five carries and turning it into 56 yards.

“Going into this year I worked really hard in the offseason on my passing because I have always been good at running the football,” Harrington said. “Whenever we went to the 7-on-7 practices I worked on making the right reads.”

Harrington also completed two of three passes for 38 yards and a touchdown. His short touchdown pass to Treyonn Tucker was not on a play that he was scripted to be in on as Coleman had to leave the field with cramps.

“I see DeShun go down and I heard coach Zach Giddens call me over and my heart starts beating really hard,” Harrington said. “I was able to make the right read and connect with Treyonn.”

Having the trust of head coach Pete Wiggins and offensive coordinator Giddens means a lot to the young quarterback.

“They could have easily just run the ball right up the middle, but they trusted me to make the throw,” Harrington said. “That means a lot to me.”

Having the ear and respect of a veteran quarterback like Coleman also helped Harrington feel comfortable when out on the field. The two push each other to be better while also rooting for each other’s respect. 

“DeShun was pumped for me to go in and make some plays and I’m pumped for him to make some plays when he is in,” Harrington said. “Whenever I’m having trouble with anything I can go and ask him and he will help me out. 

“He is willing to help me with anything, he helps me a ton.”

Callaway fans making the trip up the road on Friday against Heard County should keep a keen eye out for no. 13 in white and black. The future of the Cavaliers very much has a role to play in the present. 

Harrington grew up playing football for the Hogansville teams with the parks and rec department. He wore a white helmet, always envisioning a red Callaway logo on it someday.

Those days have come as Harrington is an integral part of the Callaway experience under the Friday night lights.