BETTER TOGETHER: Three former Rockland High football stars to reunite at Curry College
MILTON – Curry College coach Todd Parsons and his staff liked what they saw from the Rockland High football team the past two seasons.
Between the Bulldogs winning a state title in 2021 and finishing 8-3 last fall, who wouldn't?
“The way we wanted to go about recruiting, in general, is, we love to keep the local ties going but also from strong, winning programs," Parsons said.
When Rockland High's quarterback Michael Moriarty, running back Jacob Coulstring and receiver/defensive back Lucas Leander – each multi-sport standouts – decided that playing collegiate football was the best way to go, the Curry College staff went right to work.
Coulstring committed first, then Leander, then Moriarty. All three will suit up for the Colonels this fall. Said Leander, "It just shaped out this way.”
“Essentially, once we got one in, they all came together," Parsons said. "We were hoping they would. We kept them separate in the recruiting process, but it was a unique deal and we’re excited to have all three of them.”
“We knew we were all talking to (Curry), but we didn’t plan it necessarily," said Moriarty. "It worked out for all three of us.”
In their senior year:
Coulstring ran for 1,383 yards and 20 TDs, made 12 receptions for 316 yards and three TDs and finished the season sharing the South Shore League Sullivan Division MVP honors with Middleboro quarterback Jacob Briggs.
Leander amassed 511 yards rushing, 568 yards receiving and returned kicks, scoring nine TDs (three rushing, five receiving, one return).
Moriarty threw 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions. It was his lone season as the starter behind center.
For their careers:
Coulstring ran for 2,351 yards and scored 31 TDs.
Leander finished with over 2,700 all-purpose yards, 23 TDs and snagged five interceptions.
Moriarty threw for 1,400 yards and 13 TDs, without an interception.
It turned out that the heartbreaking 15-14 loss Rockland suffered to St. Mary's in the Division 6 Final Four wasn't the last time they'd wear the same uniform, or the same jersey numbers.
Entering freshman year of college, Coulstring retains his No. 41, Leander will retain No. 23 and Moriarty, previously No. 7 at Rockland, will instead rock No. 9 at Curry.
“Kind of crazy how that worked out," Moriarty said.
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“Extremely lucky to come to school with my receiver and running back, it makes things a lot easier," he added. "I think they’ll translate well. Lucas has the speed. He’s perfect for the position. And, in this system, you need patience as a running back in the backfield. That’s what Coulstring brings. I think they’ll do well.”
Due to roster turnover from last season, and Parsons admitting that 50 percent of the roster consists of underclassmen, the Rockland trio will have a shot to see field time as freshmen. That's not exactly a common occurrence for incoming freshmen in college athletics.
“Them, along a lot of the other freshmen, are coming in here with the opportunity to create some serious competition," Parsons said. "There’s going to be some guys playing for us and, so far, (those three) have held up to what the expectation was.”
Part of what made Coulstring, Leander and Moriarty stand out from other high school athletes was their versatility across different sports, Parsons said.
Leander stands as the Rockland High lacrosse team's all-time leading goal scorer while also a contributor on the basketball team, alongside Moriarty, the Bulldogs' leading playmaker on the hardwood who scored 20 points per game and was named South Shore League MVP last winter. Coulstring also played hockey and lacrosse.
“We like multi-sport athletes," Parsons said with a chuckle.
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"Those guys happened to win that state title (in football) their junior year and still had a really good year their senior year," Parsons added. "They’re all good kids that hit the academic marks and they hit what we were looking for and checked all the boxes.”
Standing together on the sideline during their third day of practice last week, the trio confirmed that they'll come back to their alma mater this fall to watch the next wave of Rockland High football talent.
They won't leave behind their high school memories, either.
“We want to remember everything, all of what our coaches taught us," Leander said. "Especially the mindset they gave us. We’re learning new stuff every day, but it's the mindset we want to keep.”
This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Former Rockland football stars to stick together at Curry College
