Rocky Mount Academy football receives state championship rings
By Jessie H. Nunery ROCKY MOUNT TELEGRAM
The number of rings handed out did not match the players who stepped out onto the field last fall for Rocky Mount Academy's state championship football team, but the gestures were fitting.
Though the teenage young men who ran the ball, blocked for each other and dished out tackles were the most important ingredient to the Eagles' success, Wednesday night's NCISAA state championship ring ceremony was about acknowledging everyone who participated in making Rocky Mount Academy's football program the best in the private school sector for a second consecutive year.
"We have a little pride about it," Eagles coach B.W. Holt said. "And it hasn't been a fluke either."
Holt handed out shiny new rings to everyone from the Eagles' most recognizable player - Division I prospect Jacob Hunter - to the program's ball boy and chain gang members.
In all, more than 50 rings were ordered and paid for by willing followers of the program.
The Eagles gathered as a large group for a final time - parents, players, staff - and enjoyed a catered dinner in the school's cafeteria before receiving rings that highlighted the school's first undefeated season (12-0) and second consecutive state championship.
"To do this back-to-back, we never expected it," Rocky Mount Academy headmaster Beth Covolo said. "The most you hope to do it is once. Then we turned around and did it again this year. We've had some generous families who came together and wanted to do it for the boys."
Holt, who has revived the program in his three seasons, made a point to acknowledge the support the Eagles have received while reinforcing the balance of academics, athletics and social life.
While things turned around quickly for the Eagles, Holt had to wait more than 30 years of coaching to win jewelry.
His teams at Rocky Mount High in the mid-to-late 2000s had a number of deep runs, but after a hiatus, Holt returned to town and now has people inside and outside of the school giving the program a chance.
"I thought we had a good chance to win it all," said senior Zach Fulcher, who waited until his final year to join the team. "We had a lot of good players coming back and a good coach. We showed a lot of heart this year."
The Eagles already are optimistic about next season. Holt said the team will have to develop some offensive linemen and depth, but the formula for winning already has been established on and off the field.
"We've always been recognized for our academics, and that's certainly first in our minds," Covolo said. "To get this recognition and for people to look at us as more than one thing is really important to us."
By Jessie H. Nunery ROCKY MOUNT TELEGRAM
The number of rings handed out did not match the players who stepped out onto the field last fall for Rocky Mount Academy's state championship football team, but the gestures were fitting.
Though the teenage young men who ran the ball, blocked for each other and dished out tackles were the most important ingredient to the Eagles' success, Wednesday night's NCISAA state championship ring ceremony was about acknowledging everyone who participated in making Rocky Mount Academy's football program the best in the private school sector for a second consecutive year.
"We have a little pride about it," Eagles coach B.W. Holt said. "And it hasn't been a fluke either."
Holt handed out shiny new rings to everyone from the Eagles' most recognizable player - Division I prospect Jacob Hunter - to the program's ball boy and chain gang members.
In all, more than 50 rings were ordered and paid for by willing followers of the program.
The Eagles gathered as a large group for a final time - parents, players, staff - and enjoyed a catered dinner in the school's cafeteria before receiving rings that highlighted the school's first undefeated season (12-0) and second consecutive state championship.
"To do this back-to-back, we never expected it," Rocky Mount Academy headmaster Beth Covolo said. "The most you hope to do it is once. Then we turned around and did it again this year. We've had some generous families who came together and wanted to do it for the boys."
Holt, who has revived the program in his three seasons, made a point to acknowledge the support the Eagles have received while reinforcing the balance of academics, athletics and social life.
While things turned around quickly for the Eagles, Holt had to wait more than 30 years of coaching to win jewelry.
His teams at Rocky Mount High in the mid-to-late 2000s had a number of deep runs, but after a hiatus, Holt returned to town and now has people inside and outside of the school giving the program a chance.
"I thought we had a good chance to win it all," said senior Zach Fulcher, who waited until his final year to join the team. "We had a lot of good players coming back and a good coach. We showed a lot of heart this year."
The Eagles already are optimistic about next season. Holt said the team will have to develop some offensive linemen and depth, but the formula for winning already has been established on and off the field.
"We've always been recognized for our academics, and that's certainly first in our minds," Covolo said. "To get this recognition and for people to look at us as more than one thing is really important to us."
