Holton Ahlers, an AP all-state quarterback from D.H. Conley High in Greenville, will play for hometown East Carolina in the fall of 2018. Ahlers picked the purple and gold hat at a ceremony on Monday at the school.
The Pirates and N.C. State were main competitors for the consensus three-star recruit, N&O All-Metro selection and conference player of the year.
Ahlers’ father Morgan is the ECU public address announcer.
The junior led the state in passing and set several N.C. High School Athletic Association offensive records this season. He accounted for more than 5,400 total yards, completing 284 of 460 passes (62 percent) for 4,503 yards and 51 touchdowns with nine interceptions.