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Holland commits to Trinity College

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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.

Matt Evans commits to Trinity College, football team

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Matt Evans will play football at Trinity College next year.

Hardworking, tough, and intelligent is how Whitman-Hanson Regional High senior Matt Evans describes his uncle, now he gets the chance to follow in his footsteps on the gridiron.

It’s not often that a child gets to turn on the television and say, “Hey, there is my uncle”. But, for Evans that was the case.

Throughout his childhood, Evans grew up admiring his uncle Matt Tower. Tower stared on the Boston College Eagles from 1998-2001.

“I was just a little kid watching him, but I thought it was the coolest thing ever,” Evans said. “That’s probably where I first fell in love with the game and I owe him that.”

Now, the 6-foot-3 Evans will be making his own mark at the next level, after announcing his commitment to play football at Trinity College in the fall. Evans, a three-year varsity player, contributed on both ends of the ball as a center and defensive end for the Panthers.

“Trinity is a good fit for me because college is supposed to set you up for a good career for the rest of your life and I believe Trinity will do just that,” Evans said.

Evans, a Whitman resident, has amassed some incredible feats during his time at Whitman-Hanson. Evans has been tabbed a WATD Player of the Week, an Enterprise All-Scholastic, been a part of the boys’ basketball team’s record-setting run, and will compete in the Shriners All-Star Football Classic.

Evans said his proudest moment on the field for the Panthers came during their 41-12 win over rival Abington, their first win over the Green Wave since 2011.

“The turkey that day seemed just a little bit better than usual,” Evans said. “I had a crowd of 15-20 family members cheering me on so that goes to show the support from them.”

Whitman-Hanson Regional High football head coach Mike Driscoll said he hopes one key aspect of Evans’ daily grind rubs off on his younger players heading into next season.

“Hard work in the offseason leads to results on the field,” Driscoll said.

As he prepares for the fall, Evans said he isn’t doing anything out of the ordinary and is just following his routine that has gotten him to this point.

“I’ve just been continuing to go to the gym and workout for next season to prep my body for college football,” Evans said.

Evans added he couldn’t have gotten to this point without guidance from many important people.

“I just want to thank my coaches, my teammates, and of course my parents for supporting me playing football and giving me memories that will last forever,” he said.