After cancer diagnosis, this Rolesville lineman’s focus remains on his teammates, future

Listen to Rolesville High senior center Gavin Marks praise his teammates. He’s proud of the Rams for overcoming health issues to advance to the NC High School Athletic Association 4A state football final.

“This team has gone through a lot in the postseason,” said Marks, a varsity starter since his freshman year. “I couldn’t be prouder of my boys.”

Yes, those were heartwarming words from the big guy — a 6-foot-2, 302-pound lineman for Mercer University — and they reflect well on the Rams’ camaraderie. But Marks left out the primary character in the post-season drama:

HIMSELF.

Marks was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma following a doctor’s appointment after the regular-season finale to address a mysterious 30-pound weight loss. The exam took place during the bye week built into the playoff schedule due to Hurricane Helene. After a biopsy, he was put on a regime of chemotherapy treatments every two weeks to shrink a tumor the size of a grapefruit between his heart and lung.

“It was difficult to get over the original shock to hear you have cancer,” Marks said. “But once the doctors told me the plan, they also said I have only one choice, and that was to get up and fight. That’s what I do. I wake up every day with a smile on my face and go work out.”

His career streak of 46 straight starts ended with the playoff opener, but the Rams (14-1) won five playoff games on their way to winning the 4A East Region title. Rolesville faces 4A West champion Greensboro Grimsley (15-0) at 7 p.m. Friday at Kenan Stadium.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma affects lymph nodes and has a far better cure rate than Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a form of blood cancer. He heard more encouraging words about recovery from New Orleans Saints tight end Foster Moreau.

The sixth-year NFL veteran overcame a March 2023 Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis to return to the field in 2023 and 2024. A Saints team official learned about Marks through a Rolesville assistant coach and passed on word to Moreau.

“He sent me a video with encouragement,” Marks said. “Later we talked on the phone. That meant a lot he reached out and to learn he recovered to play again.”

Marks’ personal therapy plans include attending practices and games. The only playoff he missed due to a chemo treatment was the third-round win over Cleveland. His treatment for Friday has been delayed until Monday so he can attend the state title game.

Rams shuffle the line

Rolesville losing Marks was a big hole to fill, of course, but then starting left tackle Logan Pulley (6-4, 290) missed the second-, third- and fourth-round playoff games with mononucleosis. The shuffling turned the depth chart upside down. Among the five offensive lineman and the tight end positions, only right tackle Asas Midgette (6-4, 265) has started every post-season game at his normal spot.

Marks was originally replaced by right guard Ian Hemilright (6-3, 280), who is committed to Campbell. Backup freshman Trevor Howard (6-3, 280) and starting tight end Davis Brown (6-4, 245) combined to fill Hemilright’s right guard spot. Sophomore tight end Jack McHugh (6-1, 205) took over for Brown at tight end.

But for the second round, Hemilright was forced to move again to fill in for Pulley. Starting left guard Jack Lamotta (5-10, 23) flipped to center, Howard to left guard and Brown to right guard.

With Pulley’s return against Gibbons, Hemilirght shifted back to right guard and Brown to left guard.

Got that?

But the juggling efficiency has been more than good fortune. From the start of the year Marks said coach Ranier Rackley and his staff drilled the O-linemen to be interchangeable.

“Everybody knows their job and they know everyone else’s job,” Marks said. “We know each other like the back of our hands.”

Marks watches one last game before turning his attention to 2025. His original plan was to enroll early in January at Mercer along with Rolesville quarterback Braden Atkinson, but the chemo treatments have delayed his arrival until next summer.

“I’m ready to go to Mercer,” Marks said, “and get this show on the road.”