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South Pointe quarterback removed from team indefinitely following accusations of selling pot

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Only Channel 9 was there when 17-year-old Davonta Blake was released from jail on $30,000 bond on Wednesday afternoon.

He looked away from the camera, and did not want to comment on his arrest.

Blake is a senior at South Pointe High School in Rock Hill, and starting quarterback for the football team, the Stallions.

Blake faces several drug charges. He's accused of having and selling marijuana at school.

Arrest warrants said that Blake was found with 2.4 grams of the drug at school, and 3.4 grams at his home on Mays Court. Blake was arrested Tuesday when school officials told police they witnessed a drug sale to another student.

That student has not been arrested, police said.

James Gaither has known Blake all his life. He can't believe the charges against him are true, because Blake lives for sports.

"It's all he ever talked about," Gaither said. "When I'd see him, he'd say 'Did you see the game?'"

Charlene Watts is a team mom of South Pointe's basketball team, and lives next door to Blake.

"I was devastated really, because I consider Tay one of my babies," she said. "For me, I just can't believe it."

Drug agents found 12 small baggies of marijuana in Blake's room at his home. Police said he was open about it.

"He admitted to members of the multi-jurisdictional drug unit that there was some more at his house," said Executive Officer Mark Bollinger with Rock Hill police.

Gaither said he hoped Blake didn't just throw his chances away.

"I just knew he was headed to a good place, but after this they'll drag his name all the way to the ground," he said. "You can fall from high to low so fast."

As of late Wednesday, school officials said Blake had been suspended for the rest of the week, and was banned from playing in Friday night's football game against Northwestern.

Channel 9 was told that this week South Pointe's Principal Al Leonard will make a recommendation to suspend or expel Blake.

If expulsion is the punishment, a hearing will be held to make a final decision or he will serve whatever suspension is enforced.

Channel 9 tried to speak with school administrators, the principal, and football coach Strait Herron. None of them wanted to comment on camera for the story.

Outside the York County Detention Center, Blake's mother also did not want to comment.

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