ELON, NC -- Elon University football coach Al Seagraves announced the inking of 16 players from five different states to letters-of-intent during Wednesday's National Signing Day. The Phoenix will welcome the following student-athletes onto the campus this fall:
Offensive lineman Jeff Allen (Shelby, NC/Crest H.S.) helped coach Roy Kirby’s team to a 35-4 record the past three years to go with last year’s conference championship and a North Carolina 3A state runner-up finish. A 6-4, 265-pounder, the three-year letterman earned all-conference accolades twice and was recognized as a scholar-athlete. In 2001, Allen was an NC Prep honorable mention all-state selection, a National Gridiron Greats Regional Standout and an All-Piedmont Team pick. Allen was also a two-year letterman on the baseball diamond and an all-conference player last spring. He is the son of Don and Carole Allen. A 1971 graduate, Don was a two-year letterman for the Elon football team.
Tight end Kyle Belkoski (Rockingham, NC/Richmond H.S.) was a three-year letterman and two-time all-conference player for coach Ed Emory’s squad. Last fall, the 6-4, 230-pound team captain was declared Richmond’s player of the week eight times and was named to the Gridiron Greats Super Squad. Also a standout in the classroom, Belkoski has been honored as a WAYN Scholastic Raider, a school senate member, a distinguished list selection and a scholar-athlete. He is also a member of the FUMC youth group. He is the son of Dave and Rhonda Belkoski and Joe and Diana Everett.
Offensive lineman Zach Bevilacqua (Charlotte, NC/Butler H.S.) paced coach Barry Shuford’s squad to a 28-11 record over the past three years. The four-year starter and two-time all-conference player was crowned an NC Prep all-state honoree the last two seasons. The 6-3, 300-pound team captain was also tabbed All-Mecklenburg County and invited to play in the Shrine Bowl. He is the son of Doug and Debbie Bevilacqua.
Defensive lineman Emerson Fazekas (Greensburg, PA/Hempfield Area H.S.) was a 2001 first team all-conference player for coach Gary Dongilli’s unit after earning second team recognition in 2000. The 6-3, 245-pound Fazekas was also tabbed to the national honor roll and to the National Gridiron Greats. He is the son of Emerson Fazekas and Patricia and Rick Wolfe.
Defensive back Trenard Foster (Norcross, GA/Norcross H.S.) served coach Keith Maloof’s squad as its captain and MVP last season. The 5-10, 175-pounder was tabbed all-county in both football and track as a prep. Foster has also collected recognition as the Touchdown Club player of the month and the Gwinnett County player of the week. He also received a teen leadership award. He is the son of Leonard and Martha Foster.
Wide receiver Casey Hall (Gretna, VA/Gretna H.S.) earned first team all-district distinction for coach Robert Prunty’s team last year. The 6-0, 165-pound Hall received both the Hawks’ award and the coach’s award for the football squad as well as most valuable inside player recognition for the school’s state runner-up basketball program. Outside of athletic competition, the SCA vice president and graduate of merit was a member of Project Discovery, FBLA, FHA and STARS. Hall has also made regular appearances on the honor roll and spent the last two years listed in Who’s Who Amongst High School Students. He is the son of Wayde and Sarah Hall.
Defensive back Anthony Harris (Chesapeake, VA/Deep Creek H.S.) helped coach David Cox’ squad to a pair of regional championships (2000, 2001) and a state runner-up finish (2000). The three-year letterman and two-year starter (on both defense and offense) also finished 11th in the state in the 55-yard dash last year. The 6-0, 185-pound Harris helped his prep track team to capture the state championship twice. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gonnie Harris.
Defensive end Mark Hatch (Charlotte, NC/Vance H.S.) collected all-conference accolades for coach Michael Jordan’s program. Last season, the 6-2, 230-pound Hatch was his team’s captain, leading tackler and defensive player of the year. He was also a team captain for Vance’s basketball squad. Also excelling in the classroom, Hatch was a member of both the honor roll and the student council throughout his prep career. He also received his basketball team’s academic award. He is the son of Mark and Wanda Hatch.
Defensive lineman Jesse Heller (Chapel Hill, NC/East Chapel Hill H.S.) led coach J.W. Montgomery’s unit to a third-place conference finish and a playoff appearance last fall. The 6-2, 285-pound team captain was a three-time all-conference selection. He was also slated to the first team all-area last year. Heller has also been named his team’s best defensive lineman once and its defensive MVP twice. He is the son of Jim and Dara Heller.
Defensive back Dwayne Ijames (Winston-Salem, NC/R.J. Reynolds H.S.) played for both coach Alex Mebane and coach David Atkins during his prep career. The 5-10, 165-pound cornerback was tabbed all-conference for both his junior and senior seasons. As a junior, he helped his squad to capture a conference championship. As a senior, Ijames obtained both all-county and honorable mention all-Northwest distinction. He is the son of Henry and Patricia Ijames.
Offensive lineman Hunter Jenks (Wake Forest, NC/Wake Forest Rolesville H.S.) was crowned the outstanding lineman of coach Ron Hales’ team last fall. The 6-3, 275-pounder was declared all-conference twice for football and once for wrestling. Jenks was also an academic all-conference honoree. He is the son of Ronald and Patricia Jenks.
Offensive lineman Michael Johnson (Conway, SC/Conway H.S.) led coach Chuck Jordan’s squad to a state runner-up finish last season. The 6-5, 250-pound tackle is a two-time all-region player. This past fall, Johnson served his team as its captain, chosen to the WBTW all-area team, selected to the WPDE all-zoneman team, named the offensive player of the state championship game and listed among South Carolina’s top 50 players. He was also declared the eighth-best offensive lineman in all of South Carolina and invited to play in the Shrine Bowl. He is the son of Jackie Johnson.
Defensive back Jacobi Jones (Greenville, SC/Berea H.S.) helped coach Mark Buffamoyer’s team to claim a winning season and to advance to the second round of the playoffs this past year. The previous season, his squad captured a conference championship. At 5-10 and 180 pounds, Jones earned All-Greenville County accolades twice and all-region honors once. This past season, Jones was named Berea’s MVP as well as the winner of the Greenville County “PAWS” leadership award. The three-sport letterman also won the coach’s award in track. He is the son of John and Vivian Jones.
Kicker Reynolds LaCoste (Greenwood, SC/Emerald H.S.) booted a game-winning PAT against Gilbert H.S. and earned player of the game recognition last season for coach Frank Hill’s unit. The 5-11, 195-pound LaCoste has attended both the Elon Kicking Camp and the Carol White Kicking School. In 2000, he was crowned the MVP of the soccer team. He is the son of Bill and Pat LaCoste. A 1962 graduate, Bill played on Elon’s offensive line and later went on to be named the 1997 Elon Distinguished Alumnus of the Year.
Linebacker Ryan Lowery (Clover, SC/Clover H.S.) amassed 106 tackles, three interceptions, five quarterback hurries, four pass deflections, two fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles for coach Marty Woolbright’s squad last fall. The two-time all-region athlete earned the best back and lifter of the year honors during his career at Clover. The 6-4, 210-pound Lowery was also invited to play in the North/South All-Star Game. He is the son of Waddell and Jo Ann Lowery.
Offensive lineman Michael Patram (Wallace, NC/Wallace Rose Hill H.S.) paced coach Jack Holley’s team to a 13-2 record, the Super Six conference crown and the IAA state runner-up finish last year. The 6-6, 270-pound Patram earned all-conference status twice. Last fall, the three-year letterman was elected team captain, selected to both Shrine Bowl and the East-West Game and tabbed to the Wilmington Star-News all-area squad for the second-straight year. He is the son of Dennis and Kim Patram.
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