Imhotep Charter has made three consecutive trips to the PIAA AAAAA State Championship game, winning it in 2023.They are hungry for another one.
You might think after your high school football team made it to three consecutive PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) AAAAA championship games, winning the 2023 title, might see its passion for winning slide a little bit.
That is not the case with running back Jabree Wallace-Coleman and the Imhotep Institute Charter High School football program.
The Panthers are poised to make a run at a fourth championship game and a second consecutive state championship.
Wallace-Coleman, the standout running back for Imhotep, talked to Footballstories just before the season started. He talked about the journey he and his teammates have followed these last three years including finally grabbing the brass ring.
“That was amazing,” Wallace-Coleman said. “I don't know if everybody knows this, but it was our third time in a row (playing in the PIAA 5A State Championship game), first time winning it.
“Last year we had to prove everybody wrong, show them how Imhotep really is," Wallace-Coleman said before a practice. “The preparation that went into that season was crazy. I'm just glad we were able to get it done.”
PANTHERS PLAYERS THAT LEFT – THOSE WHO WILL NEED TO STEP UP IN 2024
Imhotep lost some players including CB Kenneth Woseley, Jr., WR Nile Brown, DL Jah'Sear Whittington and QB/FS Mikal Davis Jr.
Wallace-Coleman is headed to his senior season. It is his time to be the leader on and off the field.
According to Yahoo Sport (Rivals), as a junior, Wallace-Coleman rushed 208 times for 1,585 yards (7.6 yards per carry) and 28 rushing touchdowns. He also scored twice through the air and returned a punt for another score. found the end zone twice through the air in the passing game, and returned a punt for a touchdown.
Wallace-Coleman was asked about players like him who would be called on to take bigger roles.
“We've got a lot of young guys who are going to step up and play big roles this year including
Joey Mcleish (6-1, 170), he's our starting quarterback and he's only a sophomore,” Wallace-Coleman said. “Kareem Haqq, he is only a sophomore, he is one of our receivers, running back Syeer Coleman, a junior...I know when I need a break, he's going to go in there; he's going to get the same type of production. That's just the trust I have in my guys."
Coleman is aware the better he does, the more yards and touchdowns he produces, the more win the Panthers will produce
“I can't say something to my guys and not do it,” said Wallace-Coleman, who lists Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley as the NFL player he admires today. “So I am always going to try and do my best so I can bring my best players...I'm one of the captains on this team, I'm one of the leaders. I know everything I do is going to be reciprocated. So, I just have to keep putting out.”
Wallace-Coleman confirmed he is headed to Penn State.
Coaches at the top levels look for talent, but they also look for what drives the players they want to lead their program for the next few years.
One measuring stick is a player's love of football and his love to compete.
“Football is everything to me,” Wallace-Coleman said. “I've been playing since I was five (years old) and I'm 17 now...12 years. The love I've got for this game. It's done so much for me. I wouldn't be here, I wouldn't be going to Penn State if it weren't for [football]. I know I've always got to give back because it's given so much to me.”
Wallace-Coleman did not have the bitter taste of defeat in 2023.
“Competing? I'm a real big competitor,” Wallace-Coleman said. “And I'm sore at losing. I hate losing. Losing is the worst feeling for me. I'm just going to keep it up, keep winning.”
Wallace-Coleman said he plans on running track his senior year. He knows running track can add techniques he can transfer to football.
“It will teach me technique and form,” Wallace-Coleman said. He said will likely run in the 100- & 200-yard sprint races.
What about the long jump? “I didn't think about that, I guess I could long jump.”
Wallace-Coleman said before Barkley, he also had running back he would watch when he was little
“When I was growing up, I watched a lot of Barry Sanders and Adrian Peterson. They were both my favorite players growing up.”
Someday Wallace-Coleman may be walking these greats. For now, he is focused on hanging another banner at Imhotep.
NOTE: An Imhotep Institute Charter official reported that Wallace-Coleman and several teammates traveled to Ghana in West Africa. The school official said the players went there to take part in community projects.
Players that went were Wallace-Coleman, Kenneth Woseley (graduated), Nile Brown (graduated), Jah'Sear Whittington (graduated), Mikal Davis (graduated), Zahir Mathis, Isaiah Prater, Donte Whittington, Cyril Woodland and Zykee Scott. *
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