Wofford showed

interest during

junior season
By Steve Behr
sports@wataugademocrat.com

When it came down to making a decision, Eric Breitenstein could not pass up the school that has shown the most interest in him.

Breitenstein, Watauga’s standout running back/defensive back, committed to play college football at Wofford after making an official visit Saturday. He was courted by other schools, but Wofford had an offer on the table since his junior year.

Breitenstein took the Terriers up on their offer and will report to Spartanburg, S.C. this summer.

“It’s a really great school,” Breitenstein said. “They’ve got great facilities and it’s where the Panthers training camp is. They’ve got top-of-the-line everything and it’s not too far away from home.”

Breitenstein was recruited by Navy and Air Force, but did not want a career in the military. He said Gardner-Webb and Lenoir-Rhyne also offered scholarships, but Wofford stayed interested since his junior season, when they first extended an offer to sign him.

“There’s a lot of relief,” Breitenstein said. “I’m happy that the school has been so loyal. It was a pretty easy decision. I’m glad that it’s over because I don’t have to worry about it.”

Pioneers coach Adrian Snow said Wofford was an ideal fit for Breitenstein, who was told he’d play the Terrier’s running back in their double-wing formation.

“It’s good for him and good for his family,” Snow said. “I believe they’ve got a steal. I feel that he could play anywhere in the country. Wofford saw early he’s pretty special and they went from there. They really liked him from the get-go and that was good for them.”

Wofford switched to the shotgun formation in 2007, but kept its basic double-wing formation it has used during the Mike Ayers era. The Terriers finished 9-4 in 2007, won a share of the Southern Conference championship with Appalachian State and reached the second round of the FCS playoffs.

Wofford upset Montana in the first round before falling to Richmond the following week.

“It’s an opportunity to play and let’s face it, Wofford’s pretty good,” Snow said. “It’s not like they’re the sisters of the poor. They play a good brand of football and he’ll fit well in their system.”

Breitenstein rushed for 2,237 yards and 26 touchdowns last year for the Pioneers, who finished 11-3 and reached the state 4-A semifinals. He was named All-State by the Associated Press as a safety his junior year and as a running back his senior year.

He also participated in the Shrine Bowl this season, the first Pioneer to be play since 1980.

But all of that is his high school resume. He’ll work on getting ready for college this summer.

“I’ll push it real hard,” he said. “I’ll go down there this summer and I know it’s going to be a tough time. But it’s got to be done.”