Austin Plaisted
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George Jenkins offensive lineman Austin Plaisted said that he knew he could be a great football player when he played his first varsity game as a sophomore.
“It was a whole different caliber of football that I really enjoyed,” he said. “And then it clicked, it was like, I could be proficient at this. I can become really good. That summer after my sophomore year I worked hard in the weight room and didn't give myself any days off. I was making football a job; trying to get better at everything I was able to.”
Now, the senior offensive tackle is a leader on the Eagles offensive line; protecting young upstart freshman quarterback Ski McWilliams. Plaisted has received a verbal offer from Division III program Birmingham Southern and attention from Minnesota-Deluth, the University of West Florida and Southeastern University. He also runs track and is on the weightlifting team.
During most of his varsity career, Plaisted has been under the guidance of Eagles head coach Richard Tate. Tate has coached in Polk County for more than 12 years and has led Polk County schools Kathleen and Ridge Community to district championships. As the Eagles seek to earn their first playoff berth since 2003, Plaisted said that he enjoys the energy Tate brings to the Eagles.
“Coach Tate is one of the best coaches I've probably ever had,” he said. “He can get in your face and give you constructive criticism, or he can be your best friend; one of those guys you love to be around and you love to be coached by. He's a leader of men and he wants you to get better. He might be yelling at you and stuff, but all he wants is your success. That's all he wants from the team and all he wants from individuals.”
In his freshman year, Plaisted didn't play football but instead attended Summerlin Academy in Bartow. He said that his time in the military school served him well.
“I really enjoyed it there. It was a good year of military school. It helped me grades in line, because they were really strict on grades. It also made me become a better person. When it makes you feel like you're not higher than anyone else it keeps you down to earth and makes you strive to become that guy.”
Plaisted has received good lessons from his coaches and schooling, but he credits his father, a former middle linebacker that played his college ball in Minnesota, with giving him one of the most important lessons of all.
“He never let me quit,” he said. “There were some seasons I wanted to quit and he just never let me. I'm so glad because I'm in my senior year and I'm really loving this sport.”
Writer - James Bennett, Jr.
Photographer - Cameraman Hasani
George Jenkins offensive lineman Austin Plaisted said that he knew he could be a great football player when he played his first varsity game as a sophomore.
“It was a whole different caliber of football that I really enjoyed,” he said. “And then it clicked, it was like, I could be proficient at this. I can become really good. That summer after my sophomore year I worked hard in the weight room and didn't give myself any days off. I was making football a job; trying to get better at everything I was able to.”
Now, the senior offensive tackle is a leader on the Eagles offensive line; protecting young upstart freshman quarterback Ski McWilliams. Plaisted has received a verbal offer from Division III program Birmingham Southern and attention from Minnesota-Deluth, the University of West Florida and Southeastern University. He also runs track and is on the weightlifting team.
During most of his varsity career, Plaisted has been under the guidance of Eagles head coach Richard Tate. Tate has coached in Polk County for more than 12 years and has led Polk County schools Kathleen and Ridge Community to district championships. As the Eagles seek to earn their first playoff berth since 2003, Plaisted said that he enjoys the energy Tate brings to the Eagles.
“Coach Tate is one of the best coaches I've probably ever had,” he said. “He can get in your face and give you constructive criticism, or he can be your best friend; one of those guys you love to be around and you love to be coached by. He's a leader of men and he wants you to get better. He might be yelling at you and stuff, but all he wants is your success. That's all he wants from the team and all he wants from individuals.”
In his freshman year, Plaisted didn't play football but instead attended Summerlin Academy in Bartow. He said that his time in the military school served him well.
“I really enjoyed it there. It was a good year of military school. It helped me grades in line, because they were really strict on grades. It also made me become a better person. When it makes you feel like you're not higher than anyone else it keeps you down to earth and makes you strive to become that guy.”
Plaisted has received good lessons from his coaches and schooling, but he credits his father, a former middle linebacker that played his college ball in Minnesota, with giving him one of the most important lessons of all.
“He never let me quit,” he said. “There were some seasons I wanted to quit and he just never let me. I'm so glad because I'm in my senior year and I'm really loving this sport.”
Writer - James Bennett, Jr.
Photographer - Cameraman Hasani
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