Northside High’s senior football class, one that made back-to-back runs to the GHSA semifinals, is sending four other players (for a total of eight) to the collegiate level. On May 9, two defensive standouts – safety Rodney Levine and tackle Anfirnee Chatfield – announced their intention to play junior college football at the College of the Redwoods in California. Also, running back Donte Bryant signed to play for Saint Vincent College in Pennsylvania while offensive lineman Colby Knighton is staying in Georgia to play for a brand new program at Reinhardt University in Cherokee County.
College of the Redwoods is located in Eureka, Calif., and plays in the Northern California Football Association.
“I’m very excited to get the opportunity to play football again,” said Levine, a two-year starter in Kevin Kinsler’s and Kevin Smith’s secondary. He was also a member of the two-time region champion basketball team at Northside. “Put on those shoulder pads and be able to hit the opposing team. I’m ready to go out there and show everyone in the country what I’m capable of doing.”
Levine was also excited to be a part of the Northside football tradition. He said not only was Kinsler a big influence on his life these past four years, but also were numerous teachers in the school. He especially wanted to recognize Andrea Myers and Christy Johnson.
What Levine hopes he and Chatfield can bring to Redwoods is a winning attitude. The team had a 3-7 record in 2012. He plans to study both sports medicine and culinary arts.
Chatfield’s story is unique in that he worked his way into the Eagle starting lineup as a freshman, back when Conrad Nix was still the head coach and Kinsler was defensive coordinator. He said he felt blessed by God that his work led him to a starting role.
While Chatfield admitted that his height didn’t get any higher in four years, he feels he’s much bigger in weight, stronger in his body and better in his football technique.
“At first I kind of gave up on (playing in college,)” said Chatfield. He said it was yet another blessing that he found Redwoods and that Redwoods had a spot for him. “If you are trying to go to a Division I school in a year, it’s the right place to go. It’s not very big, not very good either … but we are going to make them better. I’m going to bring that toughness over there.”
The best part of Chatfield’s game: “Nastiness.” He plans on studying sports management with aims on becoming a sports agent.
Bryant not only excelled in the offensive backfield, but also he was a key special teams force for Northside.
Saint Vincent is located an hour southwest of Pittsburgh and has a four-year football program in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.
“I felt like it was a home away from home,” said Bryant about his visit. “The view was nice and the people were all nice. The professors are one-on-one direct with their students.”
Bryant said football-wise the Bearcats have only been around for six years and do not have great records so far. He said he was impressed with the way the players work out and believes in a few years they will have winning seasons.
“They said I would be playing running back primarily and maybe a little kick returner,” said Bryant. “I have a chance to play right away.
“(Northside) taught me a lot of teamwork, everybody contributing to one goal.”
With interest in going into the banking industry, Bryant plans to study accounting.
Knighton has the chance to be a part of school history for two programs. The first game for Reinhardt is also the first game for Mercer University, the contest to take place in Macon on Aug. 31.
“We start new traditions, new records,” he said. “I think it’s going to be pretty fun.
“It’s close to the mountains, beautiful scenery. It’s really a family-related environment. They have great coaches. Everyone is willing to do anything for me.”
That’s what Knighton is used to playing for Northside. He had big praise for his position coach, longtime Eagle assistant Mark Stewart.
“I have no better coach,” he said. “He is one of the best offensive line coaches there is. Everything he taught me made me as good as I am. Everything you do you have to be physical.”
HHJ News
