BCP photographer, Willie Kelly, sat down with Desmond “Dez” King, RB-LB Clearwater High School

KELLY: Tell me how was practice today?
KING: It was pretty good, lifting was alright. We did a little bit of upper body and core. We did a lot of conditioning. It’s been a real big conditioning week to get ready for our matches next week.

KELLY: So what’s in store for Clearwater High School for this year?
KING: Last year was a good season for us. We just have to rebound off of last year and bring that energy from last year into this year. We got a great passing game. We’re still trying to establish our running game but we got a good surprise for Pinellas County.

KELLY: I have to ask as this question, when it comes to the playoff runs and the regular season, everybody’s always talking about East Lake, Tarpon Springs, and Largo. What does Clearwater have to do to be up in that mix?
KING: It starts off with team commodore; the team has to come together as one. That’s the number one thing. At Clearwater we are obviously compared to other schools because we are a smaller school with a smaller team. You look at East Lake they can fill their jerseys from 0-99 and same with Countryside. We take those people that really want to play and see if they have heart. As long as we start off with heart and we come together as a team, our name can be thrown in that mix with Countryside, East Lake and teams in the Bay Area. We just have to suck it up and go out there and play hard.

KELLY: This year you’re going to be a senior. I’m pretty sure you’re happy about that. Do you have any college’s you’re looking at or do you have any verbal offers yet?
KING: No I don’t have any offers but this year should be a good year. I plan on working hard and giving 110% on the football field. I could get some looks or get a few offers. My biggest goal is to try to get into the Air Force Academy. I want to enlist into the Air Force after college. If any school wants to look at me and they give me an offer, I’m up for it.

KELLY: Around school are you the class clown or are you a very mellow person?
KING: People consider me as a class clown (laugh). I’m very loud and a lot of people know me. I’m also about getting my work done and being serious when it comes down to that. It’s kind of like a mix of both. I try to make people smile but also I’m a person that tries to get my work done. Leave me alone and I do what I have to do.

KELLY: One thing I was very impressed with was the video you did at the school. I saw it on Facebook. From the looks of it you have a lot of energy. What made you want to do that video?
KING: I love music, I love my school. So I just put it together. I used to go to East Lake my freshman year and they had a lil hype song. It was pretty straight. When I switched over to Clearwater, I notice it wasn’t as much school spirit. They go to the football games and the football games are dead. So I just tried to give our students something to put team spirit back into Clearwater, so I just came up with it and it was on a whole different level. I didn’t know it would go that far.

KELLY: So does Mr. King have a girlfriend?
KING: No I don’t. I try to keep my head off of girls. Right now I’m trying to focus on my grades and my future right now but I am single and ready to mingle. [laugh]

KELLY: What has to be done to get back to that district title level?
KING: We just have to work harder than what we think we’re working hard at. If we think we’re working hard, we need to work harder than that. Just have to go at it 100% and take it week by week. Focus on whoever it is we have to play and let’s just play Clearwater football. Eliminate the mistakes; eliminate all the stuff in the paper talking about Clearwater. Let’s just go out there and surprise them and show them we are that team. We are that team that won in 2003 three and all the other titles before. We just have to go out there and do it. We have to believe.

KELLY: I was there at the spring game when you played Largo at Clearwater. What was going on in that game? What part of that game do you think you will have to eliminate coming into the regular season?
KING: Going into that game we really did think we could take it to Largo. I guess that got in our minds too much and we just sat back. The first 2 quarters they only scored I think it was 2 touch downs on us but we came out after half time saw that we could actually run with these boys. We were laid back and started making mistakes and I think that’s with anything. Even in the NFL they do it. They think they can run with a team and they lay back and nothing happens. I think going into the season, we have to eliminate thinking we are better than everybody and just play hard. Don’t let up on a team and go at them 100%. I think that’s what happened in Largo game.

KELLY: Here is a question I usually ask all players especially in Pinellas County. Pinellas vs. Hillsborough…what are your thoughts on that?
KING: Pinellas County has some real good athletes and so does Hillsborough; it’s some real good teams out there. I will say Pinellas County because I’m a Pinellas County boy but Pinellas vs. Hillsborough, that’s hard to choose. You want to stay loyal to where you’re from but you want to also be real about it so that’s kind of “iffy.”

KELLY: I do have just one last question. Coach Bostic, how is he around campus, football practice, after practice? He’s been there almost the same time as Joe Paterno at Penn State. He’s a good coach; I met him during the spring. Can you give me your thoughts on Coach?
KING: Coach Bostic is an excellent coach. I’m happy that I’m playing for him. He’s amazing, he’s pretty laid back but he’s also stern at the same time. When he tells you to do something, he means do it. I love coaches like that. Around campus, he’s the kind of person you can sit down and talk to and let him talk to you and share some of his wisdom. Not just in school but also on the football field. He’s always there for you. He doesn’t look at you like I’m your coach and you do what I tell you to do. He’s like my grandfather. He’s a great guy and I wouldn’t want to play for anybody else in high school but Coach Bostic. He’s amazing.