South Pointe sees 4 sign to play college sports, including 1 going to Syracuse football

Before the 2021 season, Quan Peterson told The Herald that his dreams were so big that they scared him.

And on Wednesday — the first day of the early signing period for Division I football players — he realized his dreams were still quite big.

“They still scare me, too,” he said with a big smile. “This morning, when I was watching (the Syracuse football video), and I was hearing the draft prospects, I was like, ‘I’m really trying to be a pro.’ This is something I’ve been dreaming about since I was 4 years old.”

Peterson was one of four signees from South Pointe High School to turn their college sports dreams into reality on Wednesday. The talented defensive back ultimately chose to attend Syracuse, the school he committed to this past summer.

He finished his senior season with 20 tackles, six pass breakups and two interceptions — enough to make him a 2021 All-Region 3-4A selection and an All-State selection. He also, of course, won his last game of football in high school: The Stallions were crowned 4A state champions earlier this month.

His favorite moment as a Stallion?

“There’s never really been a dull moment here, every day something funny is happening,” he said and laughed. “Really capping it all with a state championship was (perfect). My 10th grade to now, you couldn’t tell me we were going to win state. ... But this year we came in with a different mindset. And that’s what we did.”

South Pointe has proven to be a college football hotbed since opening its doors in 2005, but rarely have even the most talented Stallions ventured out of South Carolina. Peterson’s commitment to Syracuse was different in that regard — but that didn’t surprise head coach DeVonte Holloman.

“He’s one of a kind,” Holloman said. “He likes to venture out and be different. ... And for him, it means a full ride to Syracuse with a chance to play basketball as well. So I’m really looking forward to seeing what happens with him and his future. I’m really proud of him and his family.”

Josh Greenwood joins his brother at The Citadel

Joshua Greenwood considered it a “package deal.” And who could blame him?

His brother, Ernie, is only 13 months older than him. They’ve always shared a love for football — and have even played together growing up, including last year, when the two started on the Stallions’ offensive line.

So when it came time to pick a school to play college football? It mattered where his brother was, Josh said.

“Ever since we were growing up, it just kind of felt like a dream and everything,” Josh said, wearing a big smile and a Citadel hat to tame his long blonde hair. “I think it was all decided on (my brother) because I always wanted to play with him. That was always the dream.”

Greenwood played both sides of the ball for the state-champion Stallions. He finished his senior season grading out at 84% with 17 pancake blocks as an offensive lineman and with 15 tackles and three quarterback pressures as a defensive lineman.

“He did whatever he could to help the team,” coach Holloman said. “Mostly O-Line, not really his favorite, but he understood the need. D-Line was probably better suited for him. And he got to do it a couple games. But he’s just an unselfish kid, man, with a different kind of leadership. Not going to say much, just lead by example.

“He’s just like his brother, just like his Dad (who passed away in the fall of 2020), and I think he made a really good decision for him and his family to go join his brother at The Citadel. Not only football-wise — but for the rest of his life.”

2 South Pointe soccer players hope to make more history

Hannah Austin and Ava Robitaille made South Pointe girls’ soccer history on Wednesday.

Austin (a center midfielder) signed to Presbyterian College, and Robitaille (an attacking midfielder) signed to Western Carolina. In doing so, the two became the first Stallions to sign to play Division I college soccer.

But the two aren’t new to making South Pointe history: As freshmen, they helped lead the Stallion girls’ soccer team to the first region championship and first state playoff berth in program history.

They both reflected on that Wednesday.

“Honestly, I think it would be the first year, winning our region and going to the playoffs,” Austin said when asked about her favorite moment. “That was just really exciting.”

Robitaille added: “To be kind of a leading player on a team freshman year was really exciting. And this year, we’ll probably go to the playoffs again, and just try to continue to make history for the women’s soccer program.”