Rolesville’s Cooley plays up to his surname

PHOTO: Rolesville's Tamarcus Cooley is committed to N.C. State as a defensive player. Visit my website homepage, TomShanahan.Report By TOM SHANAHAN ROLESVILLE -- When Rolesville High’s football players and coaches call out to Tamarcus Cooley on the practice field, they shout, “T-Mac!” Maybe, though, they should consider “Cool” as a fitting nickname. And not just as a play off his surname. After all, the 6-foot-1, 187-pound all-around athlete has coolly responded to the Rams asking him to fill…

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Two Triangle showdown games are a family affair

PHOTO: The Thomas family following an NC State game at Carter-Finley Stadium, Lex, Drake, Shelly, Trevor and Thayer. Visit my website homepage, TomShanahan.Report By TOM SHANAHAN They’re West Virginia transplants who’ve evolved into a Triangle first family of football. Trevor and Shelly Thomas and their three sons, Thayer, Drake and Lex, are in the middle of two heavyweight showdowns this weekend. First is a Thursday night game — moved up a day due to Hurricane Ian rain forecasts…

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Nathan Leacock’s football future rooted in family’s track history

PHOTO (News & Observer): Millbrook High wide receiver Nathan Leacock influenced by his parents' college track careers. Visit my website homepage, TomShanahan.Report By TOM SHANAHAN Imagine the ideal track and field athlete. He or she combines a sprinter’s fast-twitch muscles with a middle-distance runner’s aerobic endurance. Explosion and endurance — a potent brew. Millbrook High alumnus Dillon Leacock, a sophomore on the University of Houston track team, inherited the magical combination from his parents. Dillon’s explosion and endurance…

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