Riverhead High School Senior Signs to Play at Villanova University

Photo courtesy of Riverhead Central School District

Riverhead High School recently announced that Senior Ethan Greenidge, has signed to play football for the Villanova University Wildcats next year.

He received a full athletic scholarship to play with this Division I-AA team.

“He’s the prototypical Division I lineman with the speed, quickness and strength to succeed at a high level,” Coach Leif Shay said. “The kid weighs over 300 pounds and moves like he’s 250, of course schools are interested.”

According to Shay, Greenidge’s goal this year was to be hard to miss on the football field, and he certainly accomplished that.

“It doesn’t hurt to have a 6-6, 300-pound athlete like Greenidge anchoring the lines,” Shay said. ”He makes it easy for those guys to find the running lanes.”

According to Greenidge, one of his strengths is that he has good footwork for someone his size and he will have to train hard to increase his strength to play in college.

“I am really excited about playing with the Wildcats,” he said. “I want to make all my coaches, teachers, my parents and the whole Riverhead community, who have all been so supportive of me, proud.”

Throughout his career at Riverhead High School, Greenidge played three varsity sports (football, basketball and track and field).

During his senior year, he decided to focus on football and his focus won him a number of awards this year and landed him a scholarship.

He’s not sure about what he will major in at college, but he is determined to take full advantage of the educational opportunities he has been given.

“Football aside, you have raised a wonderful young man. Congratulations,” Assistant Principal Patrick Burke told Greenidge’s parents, Xann and Robin.