Three from South sign for football

by | Mar 1, 2018 | Articles, South Johnston

Cale Matthews of South Johnston was joined by his parents, Jerry and Sherri Matthews, as he signed with Greensboro College on Thursday. Standing on the back row (from left) are principal David Pearce, football coach Matt Riggsbee and athletic director Matt Riggsbee.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Al Myatt)

Seated with Arik Harvey of South Johnston on Wednesday as he signed to play football at St. Andrews were his dad, William Harvey, and his mother, Kira Higgins. Standing from left are principal David Pearce, football coach Matt Riggsbee and athletic director Brody Massengill. (Dunn Area Sports Photo/Al Myatt)

Micaiah Mason of South Johnston, seated with his grandmother, Celia McArthur, signed to play football at Methodist on Thursday. On the back row are principal David Pearce, football coach Matt Riggsbee and athletic driector Brody Massengill. (Dunn Area Sports Photo/Al Myatt)

Three South Johnston football players signed to play on the college level on Thursday in the media center at the school.

Cale Matthews was the first to sign. The receiver/cornerback for the Trojans will be joining the program at Greensboro College.

“Cale is somebody that really had to put the work in,” said South coach Matt Riggsbee. “Between his junior and senior year, he did that. He became an outstanding athlete and a good player for us.”

Defensive lineman Arik Harvey was intitially headed to North Carolina Central, but a coaching change and other scholarship commitments by the Eagles at defensive tackle caused those plans to change. Harvey signed with St. Andrews.

“He’s been a great player for us, a three-year varsity player,” Riggsbee said of Harvey. “I’m just excited to see him get a chance to play at the next level.”

Receiver/corner Micaiah Mason is headed to Methodist.

“He waited until his senior year to come out and play football,” Riggsbee noted.

Mason played sparingly but good grades helped him get the opportunity at Methodist.

“He’s a real go-getter,” Riggsbee said. “He’s proved to everybody that there’s still somewhere for him to go. Methodist is a great school that’s pretty close by. I’m excited that he gets a chance to go there.”

Mason wants to study athletic training and minor in health education.

“The brotherhood took me in like a lost sheep,” Mason said appreciatively of his relationship with his Trojan teammates.

The college-bound trio helped the Trojans to a 7-4 record in 2017.

Harvey had 40 solo tackles, including 19 for losses, as a senior.

“I visited St. Andrews and really liked the school,” Harvey said. “I’m very excited.”

Harvey reflected on his career at South.

“The people are really what stands out,” he said. “They really care for you. It’s a very good environment around here.”

Matthews had 20 catches for 301 yards with two touchdowns in 2017. He gained confidence as his senior season progressed.

“The past three years, I never really played,” Matthews said. “I wasn’t really even thinking about college football. My senior year came. I got bigger and better. I said, ‘Dang, I could be good at this.'”

Matthews said he wants to study exercise science and go into coaching.

Arik Harvey fights through a hold in preseason scrimmage. (Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Cale Matthews hauls in a scoring pass at Union Pines.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

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