SYLACAUGA, Ala. – It was an exciting day in Sylacauga High School’s media center as Sylacauga wide-receiver Qua Taylor signed to play football at Huntingdon College in Montgomery.
Taylor showed emotion as he took photographs with his teammates, friends and family.
“It’s a big family here at Sylacauga,” Taylor said. “It’s very emotional when you have to leave your family to go off to college.”
Taylor, a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and soccer, said sports helped him to build relationships.
“Since I first got here as a freshman moving from Talladega, it was great as far as community and friendship,” Taylor said. “I met people fast, and, through sports, it helped me build a lot of great relationships with friends. So, as a senior starting to leave, it kind of hurts.”
Sylacauga football head coach Matt Griffith had great things to say about his former player.
“We are happy because Qua has overcome so much in his life,” Griffith said. “Life has given him a lot of obstacles that he’s had to overcome that a lot of people don’t. For him to be given this opportunity, for his ACT score to be where it is supposed to be, very very proud of the kid.”
The head coach also said that Huntingdon College and Sylacauga High School have a great relationship.
“The one thing that Huntingdon always says about a Sylacauga kid is they’re so used to working,” Griffith said. “They’re so used to working in a weight room. They’re used to handling very tough coaching across the board in all their sports, and our kids don’t quit when they go down to Huntingdon. They get a degree. They get a four-year degree.”
Taylor will play receiver at the next level, and he plans to major in physical therapy with a minor in physical training.