Every high school athlete dreams about playing at the next level and after a sensational 146-tackle season Washington middle linebacker Jaquez Columbus’ dreams have turned into a reality as the Pam Pack senior received a preferred walk-on invite to play football at Chowan University.
“It’s a blessing,” Columbus said. “There’s a lot of players that don’t really get the chance that I’m about to get so I want to go out there and do the best I can. I’m a Hawk now, so I’m going to soar.”
The 5-10, 210-pound Columbus was a three-year starter for the Pam Pack and after racking up 146 tackles, seven sacks and one interception this season was named a WDN All-Area first-teamer.
Columbus, who plans on majoring in graphic design, fielded interest from schools such as N.C. Wesleyan and Methodist but said that Chowan was the perfect fit.
“They can offer me a good education,” Columbus said. “And they’re program is amazing. They have something to offer me and I can take my game to the next level”
Pam Pack coach Sport Sawyer was excited to see Columbus get a chance to extend his playing career and said he will make a good Hawk.
“I think it’s a good fit for him,” Sawyer said. “They watched him on film and liked him. They went to the Hertford County game and watched him play and it’s good that they want him and his intensity on the field.”
Columbus’ intensity helped the Pam Pack go 10-4 this season and make it all the way to the third round of the playoffs for the first time since 1956.
Columbus has good football instincts and was a threatening presence in the middle of the Pam Pack defense.
“He was a leader on defense. He would stick his nose in there on each play,” Sawyer said. “He works hard in the weight room with his benching, squatting and cleans and he’s able to relay that on to the field. When he hits somebody he puts a little extra into it.”