By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter

jevans@thepccourier.com

PICKENS — A family tradition will continue at North Greenville University.

Pickens High School’s Matt Gravely signed to play football for North Greenville University earlier this month. Gravely was a Shrine Bowl punter and kicker for the Blue Flame during his senior season.

Gravely is familiar with NGU’s campus and its program — his brothers, Lucas and Justin, both played sports at North Greenville.

“Almost my entire family has gone to North Greenville,” Gravely said.

The Crusaders coaches heard about him from Justin, Gravely said. North Greenville began looking at him about halfway through the season.

Jason Evans/Courier

Pickens High School senior Matt Gravely recently signed to play football at North Greenville University. Front row, from left: Bill Gravely, Matt Gravely and Tanya Gravely. Back row: Lucas and Justin Gravely.

“They started looking at my stats,” Gravely said. “My grades checked out to be good, and they offered me.

“I’ve watched many, many football games there. I really like the school. I just really like the atmosphere. Their campus is growing fast. They’re a really good school.”

Gravely said he would like to major in something to do with business.

Gravely said he’s had really good coaches during his time playing for Pickens.

“This is the best place I could have been,” he said.

Gravely’s kicking coach, Harold Alexander, has been working with him since his freshman year.

“That was the first time he kicked for me,” Alexander said. “Since that point forward, he’s worked real hard. We’ve spent a lot of time together.

“He’s progressed just like his brother, Justin, who kicked for North Greenville — he kicked for me as well.

“He’s picking up right where Justin left off,” Alexander said. “I was blessed to have him for four years here. He’s always worked hard, always in the weight room, doing the little things he needed to do, to make himself better. He’s just been a pleasure to work with.”

Alexander said Gravely was “a leader” for the Blue Flame.

“You don’t run across a lot of kickers that also play outside linebacker on defense,” he said. “That part of the equation I think made him a better kicker, because he’s so competitive.”

Last year, Gravely was selected to play in the 2015 Shrine Bowl.