South Tahoe High's Kody Griffis signs to play football in South Dakota

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - "We are super proud of you," South Tahoe High Football Coach Louis Franklin told Kody Griffis on Thursday as he signed his letter to play next year for the Presentation College Saints.

Surrounded by family, friends and teammates, Kody said he is looking forward to heading to South Dakota this summer to start college and playing at the next level.

"Thank you to all the coaches, especially Petties and Franklin," said Kody. "And to Goldberg for helping me physically and mentally."

Kody was 120 pounds after he played football and wrestled his freshman year and walked into Goldberg's new Strength and Conditioning (S&C) room at the high school as a sophomore. We caught up with him soon after his putting on 20 pounds of muscle through a conditioning program. By his senior year he weighed 160 in football and 150 for wrestling.

"He was the smallest kid on the field as a freshman but was always physical and fast," said Coach Franklin.

"Can’t put together words how proud I am of this kid. Hard work, focus, grit, toughness and attention to detail, among many other traits is what gets you to this point," Coach Petties posted on Twitter.

Goldberg said Kody is the protege as he had three full years of working in the S&C room after it opened his sophomore year. He also has many other athletes looking up to him because of the accomplishments he's had in S&C, on the field and the wrestling mat.

"He has had both the classes and the room," said Golberg. "Kody bought into everything every adult has told him."

All coaches said Kody is the product of what hard work can do.

When he reaches South Dakota Griffis will major in business finance at the college in Aberdeen. which is in the middle of the state.

Kody graduated early and is working at South Tahoe Refuse to save up before heading off to school. Two of his siblings, his parents and three of his grandparents all graduated from South Tahoe High.