Gaston County Schools

 

“He loves South Point football more than anybody that’s at this school right now,” said coach Mickey Lineberger. “He sleeps and breathes Red Raider football.”

Gregory, a student in the Occupational Course of Study program at South Point, has made Red Raider football the center of his life during his high school career.

When the team was practicing, he was there. At every Friday night game, he was there. He was there when they played for the state championship this year, and when they lost by three points in overtime, he was heartbroken along with the rest of his teammates and the fans.

In the off season, he can be found in the library, studying old yearbooks to learn about past seasons.

Lineberger, South Point’s long-time coach, said Gregory has memorized and can recall more facts about the team than even himself: “He knows all the statistics, all the records.”

Gregory makes a difference at practices, Lineberger said.  “He exemplifies being a teammate. He encourages all his teammates, lifts them up when they’re down, and he gets after them when they’re loafing around,” he said. “They listen to him.”

And whenever Gregory had the chance to play in a game, he gave it his all, Lineberger said: “He plays with a lot of fire and emotion because it means so much to him.”

Gregory contributed to the team and to the South Point community as a whole.  “Everybody in this school really loves and thinks a lot of Herman,” Lineberger said. “He’s always happy, he’s always got a great attitude. I’ve never seen him down and out.”

After graduation, Gregory will be moving on to Gaston College’s Links to Success program. But it doesn’t mean he’s leaving South Point football behind. Lineberger said they have invited him to return as a team manager and volunteer staff assistant. The team needs his inspiration, he said.