Greenville, N.C. may need to consider a name change. Perhaps… Matoaca?
Less than a week after trimming their interest lists to eight schools, Matoaca recruits Troy Lewis and Jacob Coleman came to a common decision by verbally committing to play football at East Carolina.
They will both play football for the school starting in the fall of 2021. They will join Jacob’s older brother, Jonathan, and Immanuel Hickman, two more Matoaca alums on the roster.
“They have a top tier staff, a beautiful campus, and an overall great atmosphere,” said Jacob Coleman. “It was best for my family and [me]. I know what everything is like around there and the relationships I have with the coaches couldn’t get any better. Playing with my brother, Manny, and Troy is a dream.”
“They have a great coaching staff that I have great relationships with,” said Lewis. “With that, I definitely believe I’ll have the chance to help turn the program around at ECU. It’s not far from home, either, which is great. Being able to play with Manny, Jonathan, and my best friend, Jacob, is like a dream come true. We’ll all be able to play together and chase our dreams together.”
Matoaca coach Jay Parker beamed with pride.
“We are very proud of both of them,” said Parker. “They are best friends off the field and wanted to keep that going. We are happy to have five total Matoaca Warriors at ECU now.”
That fifth Warrior of whom Parker speaks is assistant coach Bryon Thweatt. That could have given him an advantage in recruiting, in addition to Jacob’s older brother playing there, along with Hickman.
“I don’t think he recruited them any harder than anyone else would have, necessarily,” Parker said. “He was definitely able to develop positive relationships with them, though. Being from the same place definitely helped. The four players genuinely like each other and are good friends, and I think that was a big part of it.”
The two athletes turned down over 45 other scholarship offers between them to ride with the Pirates at East Carolina.
They could come in and contribute early, too.
Lewis has already studied the program heavily.
“The offense is very receiver-friendly,” Lewis explained. “One receiver had 29 receptions in one game, and a freshman this past year broke the record for most yards in a game. That shows that freshmen get a chance to play and receivers get the ball a lot.”
Parker thinks Lewis will also contribute.
“Troy is a true college wide receiver,” said Parker. “He will navigate outside of the hashes and be a nice sized target for their offense. He’s also a fantastic blocker.”
Coleman, who is perhaps a better pure athlete, could surprise and contribute early.
“I think Jake brings instant versatility to their offense,” Parker said. “He can line up on the line of scrimmage as a true tight end, [or]can line up in the backfield or as a receiver. He will contribute on special teams. He’s an awesome blocker as well.”
But first, Matoaca will look to make its mark in 2020 in Region 5B with a talented roster in tow.
