Carson’s secret gives foes many woes|[11/9/05]

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, November 9, 2005

From Ernest Bowker

Once upon a time, Desmond Carson was a skinny eighth-grader with a ton of speed but no size.

Then, before his freshman year at Warren Central, he discovered the secret that would transform him from scrawny speedster to hulking behemoth.

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Peanut butter.

&#8220I don’t know what happened. I used to sit around eating peanut butter, trying to gain weight. I didn’t realize I was until people started telling me,” Carson said. &#8220It was a rumor. I think Chico (Hunter) told me that. I sat around and ate Reese’s Pieces over the summer.”

Whether it was the peanut butter, a growth spurt or just hitting the weights, Carson did indeed grow. He put on about 30 pounds and grew about six inches, to 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds over the next few years. And he also grew into one of the most feared pass rushers in the state.

Since breaking into the starting lineup last season, Carson has become a force on the Vikings’ defensive line. He amassed 67 tackles and nine sacks in 2004, and this season has 63 tackles and nine sacks heading into Friday’s game at Vicksburg. He also has disrupted countless nights of sleep for opposing offensive coordinators.

&#8220He’s the kind that other coaches on other teams look to see what they’re going to do with him,” Warren Central head coach Curtis Brewer said. &#8220Greenville ran a reverse on us, and he tackled the quarterback and the reverse man. When he’s playing his A game, he’s kind of hard to hold.”

Take it from Greenville coach Mario Kirksey.

&#8220We tried to run away from him, at him, around him and under him. We couldn’t do anything with him,” Kirksey said after Carson harassed his offense all night during a Vikings’ blowout earlier in the year.

Even when he’s on the field, Carson doesn’t seem like the snarling beast he’s earned a reputation as.

When he focuses on football, Carson is quiet. He never jumps up and down on the sideline, rarely cheers and hardly speaks. Some teammates have yelled at him for it, thinking he’s not into the game. Brewer said most of the Vikings have just learned to accept Carson’s quiet demeanor.

&#8220He’s his own particular player. He ain’t a jumper or a hollerer, and he doesn’t like that. He gets ready in his own specific way,” Brewer said.

Carson said his quiet nature is part focus, part superstition. He’s afraid that if he talks too much, he’ll get a big head and lose a step.

&#8220I’m superstitious. I think if I go around bragging, something bad might happen,” Carson said. &#8220I just sit there and focus on the game. That’s why I don’t say anything. I don’t predict anything.”

Carson’s appearance also belies his ability. He’s still tall and rangy, with long arms that allow him to manhandle linemen and knock down passes. And he still wears glasses under his helmet during practice and games.

Hunter, the WC safety who suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier this year, said his teammates tried to change that years ago with no success.

&#8220We tried to get him to wear goggles in the eighth grade, but he looked like something from ‘Back to the Future,’” Hunter said with a laugh. &#8220For somebody who’s blind, he still finds the ball pretty quick.”

Despite his bookwormish appearance, Carson said he stopped fooling opponents a long time ago.

&#8220They used to, but not anymore,” Carson said when asked if anyone still took him lightly. &#8220They’ve seen my ability and expect more from me now.”