Steven Potter is headed to Webber International University on a football scholarship.

LIVE OAK, Fla. — Tenacious, hard-working, never quits, gets after it on every down. Those were some of the words and phrases used to describe SHS football player Steven Potter on his signing day.

That effort led Potter to a football scholarship at Webber International University. He signed to play for the Warriors on Thursday at SHS.

“There wasn’t a day in the weight room or on the field that he didn’t work hard,” Bulldogs assistant coach Frank Allen said. “There was nobody here that worked harder than him.”

The Suwannee Democrat talked with Potter to get his take on his high school career and future plans.

SD: What was your high school football career like? Can you describe the past four years as a Bulldog?

SP: My sophomore year, unexpectedly to me, I started over two or three seniors at the defensive end position. I received the Captain’s Award at the end of the year, went ahead and did it again my junior year. I had a minor setback in between junior and senior year, had a piece of metal in my eye that I had to have removed. A lot of people thought that would be a problem with me continuing my career. As soon as the doctor let me go, I took off again and I was right back where I left off. Now I’m signing to Webber International University and I can’t ask for anything better.

SD: What positions did you play in high school? Will you continue at the same spot in college?

SP: Defensive end, I played a little right tackle and a little guard. I played a little bit of outside linebacker. Talking to the coaches at Webber they were kind of arguing about it in the office. The head coach was talking about trying me out at outside linebacker and the defensive line coach said no way, he’s going to be one of my defensive ends. We’ll find out when we get there.  

SD: Can you tell us a little about Webber International University? What do you expect your freshman season?

SP: I’m going to a school with an average of 756 kids a year and 690 of them are athletes. I’m going to a small school just like being at home. It’s going to be nothing but athletes, no distractions. Everybody is there for the same common goal. For me, tradition wise, that is perfect. 

SD: What’s the most memorable moment from your high school career?

SP: The most memorable thing playing ball in high school has been South Sumter. After we kicked the field goal, the feeling we felt in the air. That’s after we finally beat South Sumter, taking us to the final four.

SD: You have had a great track and field career. Will you be able to continue with track in college?

SP: Talking to the track coach on the visit, I told him my stats for what I currently run in high school. He said he would be more than happy to have me on the track team. They let me know right away football is paying for my college. Football comes first. I’m going to college to play football, get my education, to make it to where I can become a teacher. My plan is wanting to come back and teach here and coach here. It’s been a part of me for 12 years.