Published on: Thursday, April 05, 2012

By Brandy L. Simms

During the past two years, the Avalon School’s football program has flown under the radar despite capturing back-to-back championship seasons.

The Black Knights boast an 18-4 record over the last two seasons including the 2011 campaign when Avalon finished 10-1 and went undefeated in the Capital Area Football Conference, 4-0.

Avalon enters the 2012 campaign with several players drawing interest from Division I recruiters including standout juniors Rachid Ibrahim and Jacquille Veii who both received a scholarship offer last week from Boston College.

“I felt a great relief getting that first offer,” said Veii, who noted that West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Duke and others have shown interest. “I was thankful. I was overwhelmed. I was ready to strap on the pads right there. I was really excited.”

Veii, a two-way standout at slot receiver and cornerback, earned All-Sentinel honors last season after finishing the campaign with 18 touchdowns including two kickoff returns and two scores on punt returns. He also registered 86 tackles and three interceptions and amassed more than 1,110 all-purpose yards.

The offer from Boston College marked Ibrahim’s third Division I offer this offseason. The All-Sentinel performer and running back-defensive back also holds offers from East Carolina and Ohio.

Ibrahim and Veii both joined the Avalon football program two years ago after transferring from Richard Montgomery where they played together on the Rockets varsity team as high school freshmen.

Veii said he wouldn’t mind playing on the next level with Ibrahim since the pair has already has grown accustomed to competing with each other on the high school level.

“I think if we decided to go to the same school together we could do some damage,” said Veii.