Rilley Holland (center) readies to snap the ball during the Panthers’ game against Barnstable. / Photo by: Sue Moss
During Riley Holland’s four seasons on the offensive line, the Panthers’ rushing attack saw an immense amount of success — accumulating 9,339 yards and 102 touchdowns.
Whitman-Hanson Regional High senior Riley Holland has committed to play football at Trinity College.
“I looked at what school is going to give me the best chance to get a good degree, mixed with the best chance to play high-competitive football and Trinity fit both perfectly for me,” Holland said.
The 6-foot-2, 285-pound Holland was a four-year starter on W-H’s offensive line. He spent his first two seasons at left tackle, before shifting over to center, where he was tabbed a two-time Enterprise All-Scholastic. This past Thanksgiving, Holland set a school record with his 44th consecutive start.
During his four seasons on the offensive line, the Panthers’ rushing attack saw an immense amount of success — accumulating 9,339 yards and 102 touchdowns.
On the defensive side of the ball, Holland, who manned a post on the defensive line since his sophomore campaign, totaled 144 tackles and 4.0 sacks over his high school career. Holland, a captain this past season, is also a two-time Patriot League Keenan Division All-Star on the gridiron.
W-H football head coach Mike Driscoll, who just concluded his seventh season at the helm of the program, said Holland is the best all-around lineman he has ever coached.
“Riley brought a toughness to the offensive line and an overall understanding of the scheme [which] was huge on game days,” Driscoll said. “Riley will get to work right away for Trinity and it will not surprise me if he starts next year, he will help them big time.”
At Trinity, Holland will be reunited with former W-H trench-mate Matt Evans, whom he spent two years with on the Panthers’ offensive line.
“Knowing someone there and being able to talk to him about the school and the chances you get was definitely something that I enjoyed throughout the process,” Holland said.
Holland said his best moment playing for W-H, which boasted a 25-19 record during his time there, was on Thanksgiving of his junior season, when the Panthers came roaring back from a three-touchdown deficit to defeat Abington, 29-28.
“Being down 21-0 and coming back to win that game, that was huge,” Holland said.
Trinity, which competes in the New England Small College Athletic Conference of NCAA Division III, finished 8-1 last season.
“I just want to go into camp next summer and compete as early as I can,” Holland said.