The Fayette Tribune, Oak Hill, W.Va.

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  • Steve Keenan

    Deskins
August 27, 2008

Deskins’ kicking important for Pats

By Steve Keenan

Life hands you lemons, you make lemonade.

The kicking career of Midland Trail senior Will Deskins arose out of necessity from a sport his school didn’t offer — soccer.

“I was a big soccer guy,” said Deskins, who handles kickoff, extra points and field goal chores for the Patriots, who have advanced to the Class A playoffs in two of Deskins’ three previous seasons.

Deskins played soccer in his formative years in the Hico/Ansted area as well as in Beckley. “Midland Trail didn’t have soccer, so I got into football, and now I love football.”

Deskins (5-foot-9, 181 pounds) has put his heart, soul and leg into making himself a better kicker, both he and his coach, Joe Dean, say.

Deskins has attended numerous camps, mainly at West Virginia University, and has learned from former kicking greats as Ray Guy of the Oakland Raiders, WVU’s Paul Woodside and Nick Wallace of Maryland.

“They’ve all helped me a lot,” said Deskins. “They made my technique a lot better and they’ve helped me improve my leg strength.

“I follow what they do and hope to be like them someday.”

“Will does a good job for us,” said Dean. “He works so hard, and he goes to camp, studies and practices.

“It’s good to have somebody like him we can count on.”

“It feels like if he (his coach) needs me I’ll be there for him,” said Deskins, who also plays receiver and short corner for the Patriots. “That’s why I practice every day.”

He and teammate Coty Pierson share punting duties.

Deskins says his range has improved to the point he can be counted on for 45-yard field goals if necessary. He says he once nailed a 53-yarder.

And he says he would relish the opportunity for the game to hang on the balance of one of his kicks.

“The kicker’s either the hero or the goat. I would love to kick a few more field goals. I’m anxious to kick some.”

As far as the chances for his team to have a good season, Deskins says, “Our goal is hopefully to stay together and keep our leadership and go deeper into the playoffs.”

— E-mail: skeenan@register-herald.com

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