GREENSBORO, N.C. – Guilford College head football coach Chris Rusiewicz announced the intention of nine more incoming students to play football for the Quakers. The students have made their deposits to the college and will enroll for classes beginning in August. They raised Rusiewicz’s second recruiting class at Guilford to 18.
Drew Brown (Swansboro, N.C.) was a two-sport athlete at Swansboro High School. He lettered two years with the football team under coach Tim Laspada and earned honorable mention All-Area and All-East Central 2A Conference honors. Brown helped the Pirates to their most wins since 1988 and received the team’s Pirate Award for hard work, dedication and leadership. A member of the track team and the National Technical Honor Society, he participated in the Onslow County Close-Up Program that examined local government and made the honor roll every semester.
Tyler Cook (Trinity, N.C.) lettered three years under coach Eugene Everhart at Wheatmore High School. The 6-4, 295-pound offensive lineman twice earned All-Randolph County and All-Piedmont Athletic Conference 6 2A honors. He was the team’s best offensive lineman two times, earned co-most valuable player and was recognized on the Courier Tribune’s All-County Team. Cook was an all-league thrower on Wheatmore’s track and field team, served as a mentor to elementary students and was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
Noel Helms (King, N.C.) played under head coach Jimmy Upchurch at West Stokes High School. The 6-1, 290-pound offensive lineman helped his team to the 2011 state 2AA football title and the Northwest 1A/2A Conference crown. He was a two-time all-conference selection. Helms also participated on the Wildcats’ wrestling team and earned all-conference honors all four years. He was a Boy Scout and received the Eagle Scout Award in 2011.
Will Holmes (Monroe, N.C.) is a 5-11, 175-pound wide receiver who lettered three years for coach Scott Stein at Sun Valley High School. He was a finalist for the 2011 Bronko Nagurski Award and an All-Union County and All-Southern Carolina Conference selection. Holmes helped the Spartans to four state playoff appearances and led Union County in yards per catch in 2011. He is also a three-year baseball letter winner and received the team’s Coaches Leadership Award. Holmes is a three-time Academic Achievement Award winner and two-time All-American Academic Award recipient. Holmes also served on the Union County Public Schools Strategic Planning Committee.
Wes Johnson (Wilmington, N.C.) lettered three years under coach Greg Ditz at E. A. Laney High School. The 6-1, 250-pound lineman earned Second Team All-New Hanover County Conference honors and was named the Buccaneers’ Offensive Lineman of the Year. He spent four summers at the Summer Soldiers Football Camp and has a 4.0 grade point average.
Estavio Jones (Columbia, S.C.) lettered three years under coach Raymond Jennings at Ridge View High School. The 6-1, 290-pound offensive lineman captained the line and received the team’s Most Dedicated Award. He also participated on the track team for two seasons.
Matt Pawlowski (Greensboro, N.C.), a 6-2, 180-pound quarterback, lettered four years under head coach Joe Woodruff at Northwest Guilford High School. He twice earned All-Piedmont Triad 4A Conference and all-area recognition. Pawlowski helped the Vikings’ to consecutive conference championships for the first time in school history and joins teammate Tyler Campbell as an incoming student at Guilford. He was also a four-year letter winner as point guard on the basketball team, which won the 2011-12 league championships. A member of the National Honor Society, he earned the school’s Academic Achievement and Viking awards. His older sister, Ashley, was a member of the track and field team at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
Matt Turner (Kings Mountain, N.C.) earned three varsity letters at Kings Mountain High School playing for coach Greg Lloyd. The 5-9, 285-pound center helped his team reach the second round of the 2011 state playoffs. He won the team’s 2011 Toughman Award and was a two-time scholar-athlete. Turner also competed with the wrestling team, which qualified for the state playoffs.
Josh Vivod (Winston Salem, N.C.) lettered two years under head coach Chris Adams at Ledford High School. The 5-10, 245-pound defensive lineman earned All-Mid-Piedmont Conference honors and was named the team’s Best Defensive Lineman as a senior. He holds the Panthers’ record for most tackles by a defensive lineman. Vivod also was a conference wrestling champion and placed ninth in the state wrestling championships. He was honored with Ledford’s History Award of Excellence.
Guilford opens the 2012 season Sept. 1 against Greensboro College in the Gate City Soup Bowl at 7:00 p.m.