oinas skis to enefit mtipe pases
By Griffin Callaghan
gcallaghan@cherokeetribune.com
K ristian Colina has a unique
skill set, and it is expanding
even further ahead of his senior
BASH NIGHT
Monday & Wednesday
All you can eat wings
Good Luck
This Season!
Canton 1625 Ballground Hwy. (Across From Walmart)
KICKOFF ‘22 115
Woodstock 12035 Hwy. 92 (92 @ Trickum)
year.
Already an excellent kicker
long snapper and punter, Colina
is j oining Woodstock’s defensive
line in 2022 as he looks to
impact multiple phases of the
game. He primarily handled
kicking and punting duties last
season but wants to help the
Wolverines in any way possible
going forward.
“I j ust try to do my best for
what is good for the team,” Colina
said. “I have been kicking
since I started football in fifth
grade, and it is something that
I do with passion.”
Colina’s introduction to the
defensive line came in middle
school, where he also took
reps on the offensive front.
He earned time on the defense
while playing for Woodstock’s
freshman team.
It is an exciting prospect for
Colina to rejoin the line. He enj
oys making plays in the trenches
and hearing his name over the
loudspeaker on Friday nights.
“I have always been a heavyset
kind of guy,” Colina said.
“It really started around eighth
grade, and I was playing some
D-line. I never really got to
play varsity defensive line my
sophomore or j unior year because
of kicking, punting and
long snapping. This is my last
chance to play defense.”
Four of Woodstock’s top tacklers
from last year graduated,
including top sack-getter Benji
Shackelford ( 4). With tacklesfor
loss leader Drew Hawkins
( 13 TFLs) also gone, a clear
need has emerged for impact
players up front.
Defense runs in the family as
Colina’s brother, Chase, recorded
14 tackles as a freshman in
2021, including one tackle for
loss and two passes defended.
Colina was named an All-Region
5AAAAAAA honorable
mention following the 2021
season. He was also tabbed
honorable mention in Cherokee
County, along with Woodstock’s
most valuable special
teams player.
“K ristian is a tough kid,” coach
Troy Hoff said. “It is a unique
story, and he is going to be a
great leader for us on and off
the field. He is a heck of a long
snapper too. He is extremely
talented, and he has a lot of
tools in the toolbox.”
Colina has embraced his role
as a leader of the young Wolverines
as a senior.
“I am enjoying it a lot,” he
said. “It is great teaching the
young guys how to do things
the right way. I am trying to be
a leader and help guide them.”
O n the field last year, Colina
hit 10-of-13 field goals with
a long of 39 yards. He punted
47 times for an average of
30.5 yards, six of which were
downed inside the 20-yard line
and a long of 40 yards. Colina
also handled the Wolverines’
kickoffs.
Especially with a young offense,
Colina’s kicking is likely
to be significant in helping
the Wolverines secure points
early in the year.
Colina possesses a rare blend
of skill and power that he plans
to use to its full potential this
season. He will be one of the
most intriguing players to watch
in the county.
In year two of Hoff at the
helm, Colina has noticed a
change in attitude with the
players. Woodstock’s veterans
are taking charge, and Colina
hopes it leads to more success
on the field.
“I definitely feel like we are
starting to practice more as a
team,” Colina said. “U s older
guys are holding each other
accountable more. We want
to make every practice like it
is the last.”
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