Greater Moriches coverage is funded in part by Angels of Long Island, a charitable nonprofit. Shopping at the Angels’ Mastic and Patchogue thrift stores helps Long Island families in need. Or, click here to donate.
Eastport-South Manor High School graduate Matt Goncalves, a left tackle at Pittsburgh, has been named a Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).
The 6-foot-6. 315-pound Manorville resident played in nine games this fall as a redshirt freshman, starting the Panthers’ final three games. During his first start against Virginia Tech on Nov. 21, Pitt’s offense amassed a season-high 556 yards and cruised to a 47-14 win.
Click here to see No. 76 Goncalves’ monster blocking during Pitt’s win over Virginia Tech
Goncalves, 19, is Pitt’s first Freshman All-American on offense since 2015. The 2019 ESM graduate earned numerous individual honors during his high school years, including spots on the American Family Insurance All-USA New York Football Team, Newsday All-Long Island and the All-Suffolk County team.
Goncalves, who is attending Pitt on an athletic scholarship and is enrolled in the university’s Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, was redshirted in 2019, his true freshman season.
The FWAA’s Freshman All-American list features 32 standout first-year players. A 13-person panel of college football experts, representing each of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) conferences and independents selected the team.
This season during his starts against Clemson and Virginia Tech, Goncalves allowed just three pressures on the quarterback during 112 pass-block snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
Check out Goncalves’ interview with the press after practice on Dec. 8.
