Football: West Feature Athlete - West Allegheny's Colin Cunningham
Name: Colin Cunningham
High School: West Allegheny
Grade: 12
Sport: Football
Background info: West Allegheny is riding a tremendously stingy defense into the WPIAL Class AAA Championship game Friday at Heinz Field. After five games, the Indians had allowed 86 points. Since that point, West Allegheny has allowed a total of 26 points in seven games – and 14 of those came after the mercy rule was in effect. There were no major changes on personnel in week six, just a refocus of attention and an emphasis on forcing turnovers. Senior safety Colin Cunningham – all 5-foot-7 and 160 pounds of him – has been at the center of that resurgence. He had 4 ½ tackles in last week’s win over previously unbeaten Thomas Jefferson, second highest on the team.
Quotes from Coach Bob Palko: “Colin has grown up so fast this year. It seemed like every year he had an injury and he was always so hard on himself. He broke his thumb in the second game this year and, somewhere along the line, he thought about what he’d be missing and he’s playing with a cast. He’s such a leader and such a mentor for the younger guys. He’s small in stature but it’s unbelievable what he’s done. It’s been really neat to see him get the opportunity and see what he’s done with it.”
High School: West Allegheny
Grade: 12
Sport: Football
Background info: West Allegheny is riding a tremendously stingy defense into the WPIAL Class AAA Championship game Friday at Heinz Field. After five games, the Indians had allowed 86 points. Since that point, West Allegheny has allowed a total of 26 points in seven games – and 14 of those came after the mercy rule was in effect. There were no major changes on personnel in week six, just a refocus of attention and an emphasis on forcing turnovers. Senior safety Colin Cunningham – all 5-foot-7 and 160 pounds of him – has been at the center of that resurgence. He had 4 ½ tackles in last week’s win over previously unbeaten Thomas Jefferson, second highest on the team.
Quotes from Coach Bob Palko: “Colin has grown up so fast this year. It seemed like every year he had an injury and he was always so hard on himself. He broke his thumb in the second game this year and, somewhere along the line, he thought about what he’d be missing and he’s playing with a cast. He’s such a leader and such a mentor for the younger guys. He’s small in stature but it’s unbelievable what he’s done. It’s been really neat to see him get the opportunity and see what he’s done with it.”
athlete