By
Sammy Batten
©2012 Bonesville.net
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Antonio Moore, the head
football coach at Northeastern High in Elizabeth City, didn't have a
fancy name for his favorite play when the Eagles' offense penetrated the
opponent's 20-yard line this season. He just called out, “It’s Marquise
Whidbee time.''
“When we were in the red
zone, everybody knew it was coming,’’ Moore said. “But they still
couldn’t stop him.’’
Few even managed to slow
down Whidbee, a 6-foot-1, 180-pounder who was one of North Carolina's
most productive prep wide receivers as a senior. Playing for a
Northeastern squad that finished 11-3 and advanced to the third round of
the state 2-A playoffs, Whidbee hauled in 72 receptions for 1,387 yards
and scored 25 touchdowns this season.
According to statistics
compiled by the NCPreps.com website, Whidbee had the second-highest
number of scoring catches in the state this season, just behind the 26
caught by Aaron Seward of Davidson Country Day.
But that wasn't all.
Whidbee starred as the
Eagles kick returner, taking back four kickoffs and four punts for
touchdowns, and he made two interceptions while playing defensive back.
Those big-play abilities
are what prompted East Carolina to offer Whidbee a scholarship after
Pirate offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley had a chance to watch
highlight video of his junior season. Whidbee accepted in late October
to become the third wide receiver prospect in the ECU recruiting Class
of 2013.
Whidbee has been
displaying those skills since he joined the Northeastern football
program as a freshman. His father, T.T., had been played linebacker at
the school years before, so Moore was already familiar with the Whidbee
named when Marquise arrived.
"He was one of our better
athletes, even as a freshman,'' Moore said. "He played on the JVs as a
freshman and we brought him up (to varsity) as a sophomore. We had him
playing cornerback and on special teams.
"We thought he had special
talent, but he's really just matured into an awesome receiver.''
Whidbee’s development as a
receiver really began during a junior season when he first played the
position full time. He caught 47 passes for 903 yards and scored 15
touchdowns that year, while also returning two kickoffs and two punts
for scores.
This year came “Whidbee
time’’ as Moore called on his star receiver time after time to get the
Eagles into the end zone.
“We had him run a fade
pattern versus Edenton Holmes in the playoffs (second round),’’ Moore
said. “Everybody in the stadium knew it was coming. But he positioned
his body just right and out-jumped the defender to score.
“He just has that unique
ability to get to the ball before the defender. He’s very athletic and
can really jump. He’s just a great athlete.’’
East Carolina associate
head coach and inside linebackers coach John Wiley first began
recruiting Whidbee last spring while also pursuing his Northeastern
teammate, linebacker Jamieon Moss. Moss
first committed to the Pirates
before changing his pledge to Virginia Tech.
Meanwhile, Wiley was
impressed enough that he brought video highlights of Whidbee to
offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley’s attention.
“When he (Wiley) showed
the offensive coordinator the tapes, they said, ‘This is a guy we
want,’’’ Moore said. “He (Whidbee) was impressed by East Carolina from
the start. We take our kids to a couple of games there every year, and I
know he was impressed with the way they threw the football when we
watched them play. Plus, we have a long history of kids going to East
Carolina.’’
Northeastern has a long
history of producing college football players, period. The Eagles have
sent 32 players to the Football Bowl Subdivision and Football
Championship Subdivision ranks since 2005.
Several of those wound up
playing for ECU, including wide receivers Phillip Henry and Javon
Brumsey, and running back Daronte McNeill. McNeill wound up transferring
from ECU to Elizabeth City State.
“Marquise is the best wide
receiver I’ve coached, and that’s saying a lot,’’ Moore said. “He just
has that field presence. He runs about a 4.5 40, but on the field he
looks like a 4.2 kid. He’s shifty and has great vision.’’
Moore did admit Whidbee
has some academic work to do before enrolling at ECU, but he is
confident that will get done before it’s time to head to Greenville next
August.
“They (ECU) came in and
looked at his transcript, and want him to finish up strong in that
area,’’ Moore said. “But I think he’ll do that, and I believe he can
step in and play for them right away next year.’’
The Pirates will be losing
just two seniors from their current depth chart after the 2012 season in
Andrew Bodenheimer and Derrick Harris. But seven others return,
including all-star receiver Justin Hardy.