Freedom’s Branch, Moretz sign with Averett

Both started football at Glen Alpine at a young age, both played linebacker at Freedom High School, and they have even elected the same college major.

So it’s fitting that Eddie Branch and Jacob Moretz will attend the same university as well.

Both soon-to-be 2026 FHS graduates on April 16 signed scholarship offers to play on the gridiron starting next season at Averett University in Danville, Va.

Both student-athletes visited the Averett campus the same weekend in February and finalized their decisions around a month later, they said.

“The field was one of the best we’ve seen,” Moretz said. “It was really nice, the stadium looked really cool. … I’ve been working toward this since my freshman year here. I worked hard and wanted it, and it came true. I just want to thank my dad (Mark) for always being there for me, and God, of course.”

“They have a really good nursing program, and it’s close to home. I’ve dreamed about this since I was little,” noted Branch, whose list of thank yous included his Patriot coaches as well as his mother Brittany Branch, stepfather Michael Wyatt, stepmother Katie Carver, stepmother Amanda Chapman, grandmother Lisa Branch, sister Skylar Self, sister Maryann Rutherford, brother Hayden Laws, and family friend Erin Knupp.

Branch was named the Northwestern 6A/7A Conference special teams player of the year as a senior after averaging 39.3 yards per punt.

The back-to-back All-NWC and All-Burke County selection also finished the 2025 season with 46 tackles, including 13 for loss, seven sacks, and one pass defensed from his linebacker spot, adding two receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown on offense.

Moretz, meanwhile, made seven tackles (six solo, two for loss) in limited time as a senior, playing just four games.

Together, they helped the Patriots to their first 10-win season and first NCHSAA state playoff victory in a decade this past fall.

“It was a movie really,” Branch said. “It was just something different you’ve never experienced.”

“It was a crazy ride, all the hard work in practice,” Moretz added. “Some of those teams, we didn’t think we’d beat, but we did.”

Both Branch and Moretz also played baseball and wrestled at FHS in addition to playing football. They said they first played together as Greenwave teammates in third grade, though Moretz also played for rival W.A. Young for some time growing up.

“They’re both great young men that do the right things on and off the field, in the classroom,” said Freedom coach JK Adkins. “They both have really good work ethics. Not surprising that they’re here with this opportunity, and we’re proud of them and wish them the best.”

Averett is an NCAA Division III program that plays in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. The Cougars posted a 1-8 overall record (1-6 ODAC) last fall.