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Ephraim Snyder put to bed any doubts about whether guys who play 8-man football can get recruited to the next level. On Tuesday in front of his teammates, family and friends at Lafayette Christian School, Snyder signed to play football at Division III powerhouse Berry College.

“This is exciting because this was not something I expected my first couple of years,” Snyder said. “They have a great atmosphere at Berry and really care about their players. They also have a big focus on academics and not just sports and that is something I need.”

Football was not in Snyder’s genes. He never thought much of the sport before moving to Georgia in middle school. Once he started attending Lafayette Christian, he found the sport and from there, a love for the game of football grew. 

Guiding him along his football journey every step of the way has been Lafayette Christian head coach Jarred Pike, who got him to try out and coached him at the middle school level before taking the high school position as Snyder was transitioning to the upper-level school.

“Playing here has been a journey and coach Pike has been there from my seventh-grade year to my senior year and I’ve loved every minute of it,” Snyder said. “He really is a great coach and has almost been like an older brother to me, he has been there for me and supported me through everything and I loved playing for him.”

Tuesday served as a special moment for Pike, not just because of the bond the two share, but because it is his first player to sign to play college football.

“Ephraim has exemplified dedication, perseverance, determination and a strong work ethic through countless hours of practices, games and gym workouts,” said an emotional Pike. “(He) has made a strong impact at Lafayette Christian School and on this football program.”

Snyder leaves LCS as one of the most accomplished football players in school history. The bruising running back was twice named to the GAPPS All-State team as a junior and senior.

“I put it all out there every time I played, so I’m OK with everything I’m walking away having accomplished,” he said.

As a senior, he tallied 2,045 yards rushing 26 touchdowns and 8.7 yards per carry.

While Troup County is still home for a little while longer, it will be the blink of an eye before Snyder is calling Rome home. It will be a change of pace as he goes from a team of less than 20 to a team full of nearly 100 players. But Snyder has never run away from an obstacle, he lowers his shoulder and runs right through it.

“It’s going to be a big difference, but it’s a challenge that I’m looking forward to,” he said.