CENTRE – Back when Greensboro College in North Carolina was inquiring about Cherokee County High School lineman Silas Robertson, Warrior football coach Jacob Kelley told them they also needed to consider taking a look at his left guard, Isaac Hunter.

They apparently listened to Kelley.

Hunter (5-foot-10, 265-pounds) signed a scholarship with the Division III Pride on Thursday. He joins Robertson at the school and becomes the sixth Cherokee County High School football player to sign a scholarship this year.

“Playing at the next level is a big thing. I have another four years to continue playing what I love,” said Hunter, who played both sides of the line for the Warriors (7-4). He was the second-highest graded offensive lineman with 15 knockdowns. He also had 45 total tackles (8 solos, 37 assists) with four tackles for loss and two assists on defense.

“It’s always been a dream to go. I did see it happening, but I just didn’t know when the right time was. I just kept working and eventually it came back around to me. Coming in for summer workouts, getting in shape and going to practice every day really did pay off.”

Kelley said Hunter has always been dependable.

“He’s a tough kid,” Kelley said. “He’s always been able to play through whatever injuries he’s had. He missed the Jacksonville game this year with a partially torn UCL (ulnar collateral ligament). He couldn’t play that week, but he braced it and played every snap in Mobile (Christian). He practiced in shorts and helmet until he was fully released to play.

“He’s got a tremendous upside of what I feel like he can do. I’m just happy he’s getting a chance to play at the next level. Obviously it’s good for our program, but I think it’s good for him. All the work he’s put in, even before I got here, I think he started as a freshman. I’m just proud for him. I know it’s a good bit away for him, but I told him when he told me he committed that you have a chance to play extremely early.”

Hunter said he took a visit to the school last year. That’s when they officially offered him, but Hunter wanted to take his time in making a decision.

“I just didn’t know I was going to accept it until now,” Hunter said. “It was a good experience up there, seeing what they have and what their goals are.”

Kelley said Greensboro is getting “an extremely physical football player.”

“He’s definitely a mild-mannered kid, but he has a mean streak in him,” Kelley said. “He has good balance and can fire off the ball on offense and defense. He was pretty much our leader for two years on the O-line, and he played a lot on defense. He was the defensive lineman of the year award winner for our team this past year. He was all-state as a junior. He was a high-grade man and led the team in knockdowns.

“When we had our signing day back in February, I said I don’t think we’re done. I specifically had Isaac in mind when I said that. I’m just happy for him.”