Four Twin County athletes have signed national letters-of-intent to play college football.Here are bios on those players. Good luck to you all at the next level!
DUKE
Takoby Cofield (Offensive line, 6-6, 300) Tarboro, Tarboro High School
Three-year letterman at Tarboro under coach Jeff Craddock ... Tabbed the 40th-top offensive tackle in the nation and the 15th-best overall prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com ... Listed as the third-best offensive lineman in North Carolina and the 17th-top overall prospect in the state by the Charlotte Observer ... All-Mid Atlantic Region choice by SuperPrep ... Started 42 career games while helping Tarboro to a three-year record of 36-8 with three state playoff berths, one runner-up finish (2008) and one championship (2009) ... In 2009, helped Tarboro to 15-1 overall record and the 2-A state championship with a 28-3 win over Burnsville Mountain Heritage in the title game ... Carded over 100 pancake blocks on offense while registering 40 tackles and 20 tackles for loss on defense as a senior ... 2009 Honorable mention All-Southern selection by the Orlando Sentinel ... 2009 First team 2-A All-State pick by NCPreps.com ... Helped Tarboro to 14-2 ledger and state runner-up finish in 2008 ... Two-time first team all-conference and all-area selection ... Helped North Carolina to a 24-14 win over South Carolina in the annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas on December 19, 2009 in Spartanburg, S.C. ... Also lettered in track and field ... Born January 22, 1992 ... Son of Ava and Toney Cofield
Cofield Video
ELON
Phillip Dobbins (Offensive line, 6-3, 275) Elm City, Southern Nash High School
Dobbins was a starter in the 2009 Shrine Bowl as well as a first-team All-Big East Conference pick by the league’s coaches. A team captain, Dobbins was chosen as the academic athlete of the year. The 6-3, 275-pound lineman helped Brian Foster’s team to the fourth round of the North Carolina 3-AA playoffs. The squad posted its best season in 20 years in 2009, going 11-4. Phillip is the son of Terry and Jeanette Dobbins and currently has a 4.47 GPA.
Dobbins Video
WOFFORD
Andrew Gehring (Defensive Back, 6-2, 179) Elm City, Southern Nash High School
Gehring is a three-sport athlete at Southern Nash High School, lettering three years in basketball, twice in football and twice in baseball. As a senior, started at cornerback and safety as the football team was 11-4 and reached the Eastern Finals. Named All-Conference and All-Area as a junior and senior. Also named All-Conference honorable mention in basketball and received the team’s Golden Glove award in baseball.
LENOIR-RHYNE
DeMarcus Jones (Defensive End, 6-3, 220), Bailey, Southern Nash High School
Jones exploded on the scene as a standout defensive end this past season with 59 tackles, 13 for loss; 8 1/2 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.