South Georgia - In The Game High School Sports Magazine

“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe,” says world renowned poet, journalist, and novelist Anatole France. Although he may be unaware, Lowndes County High School senior Gerald Demps has lived his life with that same philosophy.

Since he was a child, Demps has dreamt of being like the “football players on television,” and his mother, Lisa Akins, agrees. “He has always had a passion for sports,” she remembers, and even though Akins was reluctant to let her son play organized ball, she gave in when Demps was ten years old, allowing him to join a football team with the Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta. Fortunately for Lowndes High School, that was only the beginning, and with every game Demps continues to prove he has what it takes on the field.

As a sixth grader at Hahira Middle School, Demps showed off his skills on both sides of the ball as both a linebacker and a running back. Starting the season with a jolt, he amazed parents, fans, and coaches during the first play of their first game when he returned the kick to score a touchdown. Demps enjoyed participating on the middle school team immensely, but regrettably lost focus on his grades. As a result, his mother removed him from play during his seventh grade year. “He learned a lot,” recalls Lisa, “and now he knows that grades are more important than any sport will ever be.”

Devoting himself to academic improvement, Demps hit the books and his hard work was rewarded when he was able to rejoin the team as an eighth grader. While the season ended with a 3-3 record, Demps has many prized memories from that year including the Lowndes Middle School game.  Playing against fellow Viking Greg Reid, Demps and his team were down at the half.  Hahira ran a reverse with Demps scoring the go ahead touchdown, securing a come from behind win over Lowndes.

Demps made the varsity team during his first year at Lowndes High School, and halfway into the 2005 season, he was moved from linebacker to safety. He ran the ball on occasion, but had more success on defense, admitting that tackling is his forte. “For a freshman,” he laughs, “I got plenty of playing time.” With only one loss against Ware County, the Vikings went on to win both the Region and State Championship titles, smothering Brookwood 49-7 in the final game.

All good things must come to an end, though, and with a 6-4 record, the 2006 season was not quite as successful for the Vikings, or for Demps. After starting at strong safety, he broke his ankle during the 3rd quarter of the Houston County game which put him on the road to an eight week recovery and took him off the field for the rest of the season.

During his junior season, Demps proved he was back in full force after recuperating from his injury. Resuming his starting safety position, Demps made a total of ninety-five tackles for the season and ultimately earned a place on Second Team All-Region. Playing defensively for a majority of the season, it was not until the playoffs when Demps began playing on the offense. It was during the Class AAAAA state semifinals game against the Camden County Wildcats that Demps threw a halfback pass to Greg Reid, scoring a much needed touchdown which gave the Region Champs a 7-0 lead. The Vikings won the defensive war against the Wildcats that night with a final score of 10-0, and went on to defeat North Gwinnett 34-6 the following week for the State Championship title.

The Vikings have a lot to live up to each and every season, but so far this year they are proving themselves without breaking a sweat… figuratively, of course. Finishing the regular season undefeated, as of press time they most recently dominated Bradwell Institute with a 62-21 win, moving on to the third round of the Class AAAAA playoffs. While Demps attributes the team’s success to conditioning and hard work, he knows that it takes more than physical abilities. “It’s all about believing you can,” he says.

Most probably wonder what a game day is like for a Lowndes County Vikings, and according to Demps, it sounds like fun. After school the players report to the field house to participate in a devotional before the game. Their pre-region-game meal is a “man’s meal” of steak and potatoes, while the non-region games are usually barbeque. After dinner the players watch movies to pump them up, with titles like Remember the Titans, Gridiron Gang, and Ironman.

Demps works out year round, mainly by doing pushups between sets in the weight room.  The 6’ 197 lb. athlete also runs to keep in shape. His ability to read plays makes him an asset to his team, because he recognizes it takes brains, as well as brawn, to accomplish goals. Staying focused is Demps’ biggest challenge, and he is careful not to underestimate his opponents. “The average person doesn’t understand the amount of dedication it takes to be a football player,” he says.  Demps also considers himself to be a team leader, leading by example and making plays to set a tone and pace for his teammates. “Somebody has to do it,” he says, laughing.

In addition to football, Demps has run track and played basketball since the eighth grade. Last track season he went on to place 8th in the state for the long jump event, and while he is unsure of which events he will participate in, he does plan to continue to compete his senior season. For his first three years of high school, Demps was a member of the Lowndes High School basketball team and received a fair amount of playing time as a shooting guard.  While he succeeded and even made a few dunks, he will not be participating this year. “Basketball was his first love,” reflects his mother, “but once he started football- that was all over."

Demps maintains a B average on his own and after struggling with his grades early on, he is not afraid to ask for help. “I just ask my teachers if I don’t understand something,” he discloses, “or get help from a tutor.” After being named Homecoming King, Demps is obviously popular among his classmates, but between school and sports Demps keeps himself busy. In the little spare time he does have, Demps participates in the Key Club and enjoys hunting and fishing with his grandfather.

Recruited as a safety, Demps committed to Florida State University over the summer, fulfilling a lifelong dream. So far in life, Demps has learned to set both short and long-term goals for himself and now his main goal is to play as a freshman at FSU. Coaches Randy McPherson and Randy Hill help to keep Demps focused, and his gratitude for their positive influence is evident. Coach McPherson speaks highly of Demps, praising his work ethic on and off the field. “Before he is through at FSU, he will make a name for himself,” McPherson says. Demps also plans to play football as long as he can, and with his daydreams of playing with Peyton Manning, the NFL may be in his years to come.

Demps’ achievements so far prove that devotion of your body and mind is essential to the success of any challenge, and as it turns out, Anatole France was right after all. •