GUYTON — Last week on national signing day, South Effingham’s Trevor Pfiester inked with Savannah State University.

The program, which recently joined the NCAA Division II ranks, posted a 7-3 record in 2019, making it attractive in the eyes of the 6-foot-6 tight end. Pfiester also felt a sense of duty to remain true to a program that’s local.

With the Tigers keeping a lot of recruits close to home, Pfiester believes the team can grow leaps and bounds within the next few years.

“It’s going to be great,” he said. “I think there’s so much talent here. They could build the team off Savannah alone.

“I think this signing class can be the start of the rebuilding (process). Talking to the other guys that signed, I think we are ready and it’s going to be special in the next four to five years. Head Coach Shawn Quinn is really changing the culture.”

Pfiester said he’d been in communication with Quinn throughout the season. When the head man put the offer on the table, however, he was stunned.

“They kept an eye on me throughout the year,” Pfiester said. “Coach Quinn came by the school one day. We kept in touch and after a basketball game he offered me.

“I was excited.”

It was a special day for his dad, too. South Effingham’s offensive line coach gets to watch his son solidify his position on the team.

“I’m excited,” Mike Pfiester said. “I think Coach Quinn has done a great job there. We are all very excited for Trevor.”

Trevor Pfiester, who has roots in Michigan, considered taking his talents up north. But that would have limited the amount of times his family would have been able to see him play due to his father’s coaching responsibilities.

“We visited a lot of schools up north because a lot of our family is in Michigan,” Mike Pfiester said. “I think he was torn between closer to grandma and grandpa or staying close to mom and dad. With the profession I’m in, Friday nights are busy. 

“If he left home, it would be hard to see him play.”

South Effingham head coach Nathan Clark has also kept his eye on Savannah State and is impressed with the remarkable turnaround Quinn has led.

“I think Coach Quinn is doing a great job,” Clark said. “The direction in which it’s going (is good) and I know Coach Nate Baker will do a good job with Trevor. I am excited that someone in our school gets to stay local and go to a program that seems to be headed in the right direction.”

The Tigers returned the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association this past season after nearly 20 years. Trevor Pfiester admitted the pride and resurgence of the program played a role in his decision to play for the Tigers. 

Pfiester came to the Mustangs  after playing one season at Creekview. He played a key role in arguably South Effingham’s biggest win of 2019, catching a 29-yard touchdown pass to put the Mustangs up 41-32 against New Hampstead. South went on to win the much-needed Region 2-AAAAA contest 48-47.