On the Sidelines with Dan Sousa: Briar Woods RB Colder Willing to Put in the Work to Play at the College Level

Briar Woods RB Cory Colder averaged 161 yards per game in four state appearances.

On the Sidelines with Dan Sousa
(May 8, 2013) - If the college football recruiting experience had gone for Cory Colder like his sparkling high school career at Briar Woods had gone, then he'd be lacing up his shoulder pads at a big-time NCAA Division I program next year like his teammates Matt Rolin (Florida) and Cam Serigne (Wake Forest).


Colder, a sparkplug of a running back, was the clutch that drove the Falcons bandwagon to VHSL Division 4 state titles in 2011 and 2012. He stepped up at the biggest times, averaging 161 yards per game in four state playoff games over the past two years including back-to-back state championship games of 158 and 182 yards. As a sophomore Colder was a back-up when the Falcons started their 3-year state title run.

Briar Woods, however, was so good in 2012 it might have worked against Colder as he wasn't called upon to pile up the carries and gaudy stats. He finished his senior season with 1,326 yards on 252 carries and 20 touchdowns. The year before he had 1,525 yards on 168 carries and 23 touchdowns.

Colder received some interest from Division I-A, I-AA and D2 programs, but he always seemed to be one scholarship away and some programs wanted him to walk on.

"At times it was a little frustrating, knowing I had the stats and I was a good prospect but it seemed like I was always one scholarship away," said Colder.

Colder heard that recruiters wished his school's schedule had been tougher as the Falcons had little challenge in winning their third straight state title and there was the size issue as Colder at 5-foot-8, 190-pounds is not as big as some schools like at running back.

We know there are things that you can't measure with a tape measure and Colder has those intangibles. He is willing to work for his dream of college football.

"Nobody can take away my heart or my work ethic," said Colder.

As the recruiting process went on, Colder, a young senior who will not turn 18 until this August, was approached about playing a year in a post graduate prep program. These one-year programs, such as Fork Union in Virginia, often lead to college opportunities for players.

At East Coast Prep in Great Barrington, Mass. they were high on Colder's talents, recruiting him as one of three running backs in a class of 60 players. Colder was also sold on the 40 years of experience that East Coast Director of Operations, Dick Bell, brings to the field. He has been a player, a coach in high school and college and spent 14 years representing over 100 NFL players.

"East Coast Prep is a good choice for me because in the future there will be more options," said Colder.

East Coast Prep located in Great Barrington, Mass.

Colder with a 3.2 GPA at Briar Woods and NCAA qualifying SAT and ACT test scores will be ready to transfer to a college program after East Coast Prep's fall season. In the meantime he will have the advantage of their facilities and coaching to work on his strength, speed and conditioning, a season of play against college level teams, and a chance to work even more on his studies.

Making a move is nothing new for Colder. He started playing football in Texas at age 5 and moved to Bristow, Va. in 2002 where he played Pop Warner football in Manassas. In 2004, his father was transferred again and the family moved to Delran, N.J.

Colder was looking forward to following in his brother Karl, Jr.'s footsteps and play at Holy Cross High School where he helped the school to a state title but in 2009 another transfer brought Colder to Briar Woods. Even as a Falcon, Colder had to prove himself, starting the 2011 season as the back-up running back, only to assert himself as the go-to guy, especially when tough yardage was needed.

I've enjoyed watching Colder play ... this is a kid who can come off the field in a tight game in the fourth quarter and have a smile on his face. He is also a kid that carried the ball 53 times for 343 yards and five TDs in his final two high school games ... while playing with a separated right shoulder.

You and I would have trouble just opening the car door with that injury.

Tough. Heart. Athletic. Colder has the tools to reach the college level. He isn't afraid of the work ahead.

"It's a challenge for me. I still have work to do. I will put the work on in on the field, non-stop. Every week will be like a state championship game for me," said Colder.

I'm not betting against him. In fact, I'm rooting that we will be covering his college signing next spring.