Calhoun senior fullback a starter since his freshman year

CALHOUN - Fullback Adam Patrick has established himself as a unique player in Class AA No. 5 Calhoun High&#39;s football program. <br> <br> ``He&#39;s by far the best back that I&#39;ve every coached,&#39;&#39; veteran Yellow Jackets&#39; head coach Hal Lamb declared this week of No. 34. ``He has strength and speed (consistent 4.5 40-yard dash time on the track). His vision is unbelievable. That vision is what separates him from the rest.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> As a Greater Rome All-Area selection for Calhoun&#39;s 2002 Region 6-AA champions, Patrick gained 1,183 yards rushing on 6.4 yards per carry. He scored 132 points with 22 touchdowns. <br> <br> Despite an almost all new offensive line and being a ``marked man,&#39;&#39; the 5-10, 195-pounder continues to excel. He has 237 yards rushing (36 carries) for a near identical 6.6 yards per carry, shows another 67 yards receiving (five catches) and scored 24 points (three touchdowns rushing and one catching). <br> <br> ``He is the only freshman I&#39;ve ever had to start almost the whole season,&#39;&#39; Lamb said. ``That says a lot for him.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> As a senior, Patrick knows that he must shoulder a leadership role. <br> <br> ``We&#39;re a lot younger than last year (following loss of 22 seniors),&#39;&#39; he said. ``Every now and then, I try to get them motivated. I don&#39;t say anything negative. Adam Cleveland (senior guard) helps a lot.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Patrick has come a long way since his freshman year. <br> <br> ``His attitude has made tremendous strides,&#39;&#39; Lamb praised. ``He&#39;s a happy go lucky guy. He&#39;s well liked by his teammates and classmates.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> What is Patrick&#39;s goal for the team? <br> <br> ``We want to go to the Georgia Dome,&#39;&#39; Patrick answered. ``That&#39;s been our goal since I&#39;ve been here. We want to contend for a state championship.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Advancement to the Dome in Atlanta would mean a state semifinal berth. Two years ago, Calhoun felt one game short. <br> <br> ``He&#39;s got a tremendous work ethic,&#39;&#39; offensive coordinator-running backs&#39; coach Michael Davis commended. ``He loves to play the game. We want to get him the ball a little more ... like in the flats (on passes). In a lot of people&#39;s schemes, he would be a tailback.&#39;&#39; Davis added, ``He&#39;s a great kid. We&#39;ve seen him grow into a man.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> When Calhoun hosts bitter rival Darlington on Friday night, the visiting Tigers will be represented by a running back similar to Patrick in senior Chantz McClinic. Like the Jackets&#39; ace, he is starting for the fourth year. <br> <br> ``They have a great back in McClinic,&#39;&#39; Patrick said. ``I like to see him run. He&#39;s a great guy. I&#39;ve met him at some camps. It should be a great game. We&#39;ll be ready for Darlington.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> As somebody expecting to play college football, he carries a ``B&#39;&#39; academic average. <br> <br> ``Georgia Southern is my favorite team,&#39;&#39; Patrick said. ``My first cousin (quarterback Jason Foster of Cherokee) signed there. He says he likes it down there. I&#39;m leaning toward there.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> What is his career goal? <br> <br> ``I want to be a cop,&#39;&#39; Patrick replied. ``I want to help the community. My grandmother (Brenda Canty in Atlanta area) is a traffic officer. She has been an influence on me.&#39;&#39;