Panther football coaches recognize contributors

LAKE CITY — Lake City High School varsity football coaches say De’Charles Burgess, Shonquez Nelson, Devaris Brunson and DaShawn Butler have shown tremendous improvement and are major contributors on the field.

Burgess, a junior, said he has been playing football since he was 8 years old. He said this season’s team has done well so far and that he hopes it will continue to work hard in areas that need improvement.

Burgess said he thinks the team will make it to the state championship.

Burgess, who describes himself as being athletic, outgoing and intelligent, also plays basketball and baseball. Of all three sports, he said football is his favorite and that he enjoys the “atmosphere” of the sport.

Burgess said he contributes to the team in every game by continually working hard and remaining dedicated and positive in all situations on the field.

Burgess is a third-year starter, backup quarterback, receiver and kicker, said Lake City head varsity football coach and Assistant Athletic Director Justin Gentry.

“He is getting better each week,” Gentry said.

Nelson, a senior, said he hopes that, at the end of the season, everyone will be happy with the team’s results, no matter what.

Nelson, who describes himself as motivated and passionate, said he also has been playing football since he was 8 years old.

He hopes that he and the rest of the team will continue to play hard and keep a “level head” throughout the season, he said.

In addition to football, Nelson also plays baseball and basketball, but has found football to be his favorite of the three.

Gentry said Nelson serves as linebacker and is the “rock” on defense.

“He is all over the field,” Gentry said. “He plays hard and loves the game.”

Brunson, a freshman, said he didn’t know that he was going to “jump” up to the varsity team as quickly as he did. He said he has proudly accepted the challenge and comes out to the field every day to do his best.

Brunson said the Panthers will achieve all goals they’ve set this season and reach the championship.

Brunson has been playing football since playing on a Lake City Recreation Department team, he said. He describes himself as active, bright and athletic.
He also plays basketball, but likes football the best, he said.

“Football is more physical than basketball,” Brunson said, explaining why he likes the sport.

Gentry said it’s rare to have a freshman on the varsity football team, but Brunson has responded well and has been a great help. The team needed Brunson because other players had suffered injuries, Gentry said.

Gentry also said that Brunson worked diligently during summer conditioning.

Butler, a junior, said his biggest contribution to the team is always doing “little things right.”

Butler, who describes himself as having talent, working hard and possessing a great personality, said he has been playing football since the age of 12.

So far, Butler said the season has been good and that he thinks the team will continue to work hard.

“I think we have a chance at the state championship,” Butler said.

In addition to football, Butler said he also plays basketball and runs track, although he said football and basketball are his favorite sports.

Gentry said Butler is a third-year starter and quarterback who runs offense with “command” and is a good athlete.

In addition, Gentry said junior running back Shon Carson is showing “power and speed” this year.

Senior running back and cornerback Sheldon Robinson, meanwhile, is a “big time playmaker,” Gentry said.