Phoenix Christian opts to appoint weekly captains, yet there’s one player who’s always at midfield for the coin toss: Zach Cole.

Being the son of the head coach isn’t an easy task, but the senior center isn’t bothered by it.

“The car rides home with my dad are always fun,” Cole said. “But all in all, I think there’s not really all that much that’s different from being any other guy on the team.”

Cole, a four-year starter, began his career at tackle but moved inside his sophomore year due to injuries and snapped to his older brother, Hunter.

“When I moved over, it was rough sometimes,” Cole said. “He was a senior, so he’d get on me a little if I messed a snap up and he’d get really annoyed. We’d get into fights but, you know, the car ride home was even more fun.”

Their father, head coach Brian Cole, stresses there is no more pressure he puts on his son to lead than on anyone else on the team, but he wants to see his son be a leader.

“I expect great things from all the guys,” Brian Cole said. “If he’s slacking or if he’s not doing something he should be doing, I do get on him a bit. I wouldn’t say I’m harder on him, but I would say I expect more of him than some of the other guys.”

Zach Cole is one of the leaders of an offensive line, which has helped Phoenix Christian turn in an 11-1 record and reach the 2A state semifinal game.

“We’re trying to win a state championship,” Zach Cole said. “I’m just doing everything that I can do to help the guys play at their best."

Zach Cole’s leadership ability hasn’t gone unnoticed by senior running back Man-Man Freeman, who has racked up over 1,000 yards on the ground behind the Zach Cole-led line.

“Their great blocking helps me a lot,” Freeman said. “Having an O-line like them and having Zach as the leader up there is really important for us as a team and for me individually.”

Junior quarterback Adrian Fleming echoed Freeman.

“The line’s been great for me this year,” Fleming said. “They’ve really helped me out, and Zach at center just controls the front and holds his blocks. I like to get outside and use my speed and it all starts up the middle with Zach.”

Zach Cole tries to get his teammates in the weight room as much as possible and encourages them to get grades up if they need to.

“If some of the guys are failing classes, I’ll get on them for that,” Zach Cole said. “I also try to get on them if they’re not coming to lifts or goofing off at practice. That’s selfish too, because I want to win for my senior season.”

Zach Cole’s leadership style changes throughout the year based on what he thinks the team needs to see or hear.

“In the past few seasons, at the start of the year he’s more vocal,” Freeman said. “But as the year goes on, he kind of leads by example more. I think it’s natural for the guys to look up to him because he’s the coach’s kid and he knows that, so he always tries to do the right thing.”

“From the beginning of the season, he’s probably a little more quiet,” Fleming said. “He came out loud to show that he’s a leader and to show he wants to help us out this year. He’s the center and the coach’s kid, so he knows he’s a big part of this team and I love that about him.”

Brian Cole has seen growth in his son both on and off the field throughout his Phoenix Christian career.

“He’s grown up a lot since his freshman year,” Brian Cole said. “He’s a real leader and a lot more mature. He’s worked really hard, and I think people look at him as a leader because of all the work he’s put in over the past four years.”

Zach Cole knows he’s not only being closely watched by the team but by the fans and the coaching staff, and he relishes the opportunity to prove to everyone that he gives his all for the team.

“I know there are eyes on me but I hope it’s because I’m good at playing,” Zach Cole said. “People might expect more from me, but it’s not that big of a deal. I don’t care who the coach is, I’m going to give my all every snap.”