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Zone Read: Deshawn Warner Unplugged

Arizona Sports News online

Friday night at Arizona State, Desert Edge High School will be playing for their second football state championship in program history when they take on defending 5A Champion Higley at 8:00.

One of the biggest reasons for the Scorpions’ success this fall, and the past couple of seasons, is senior edge Deshawn Warner. 

Earlier this week we caught up with the Kansas commit to discuss a myriad of topics, both on, and off, the field leading up to his final game at DE.

Let’s start with last week’s semi-final game against Horizon. Take us through your game-clinching sack on the final play which officially punched your ticket to the 5A State Championship this week. “I knew that they were going to double (team) me because they’ve been doing it all game because the guards were making it pretty obvious.

“I was rushing speed almost the entire game, so I used a power move on the tackle, knocked him back, and then the guard came at me. I spun off of him, and then the quarterback was right there in my lap.”

We’ll get to more of the football stuff in a minute but I wanted to ask you about your involvement with Teen Suicide Awareness. How did you get involved with that incredible organization last year? Personally, to me, that’s just as impressive as any of your on-the-field accomplishments. “I feel that words are powerful and it’s important to know that people my age can come talk to me, or have people they can talk to, about situations, or problems that they’re going through that they don’t necessarily want to talk to with adults, that’s big.

“To know that I could impact somebody’s decision like that, that’s big for me.”

What’s it been like playing for the Carter’s at DE? “It’s been great. I believe they’ve helped me more off the field than they have on the field. They helped mold me into the person I am today. They helped helped me with so much. I feel like I can call them whenever – whatever time of the day. I feel like our relationship is beyond football and more like family.”

Do you have one specific story or memory about them that you’ll always remember about them? “Probably not a specific moment but probably all the debates and arguments that we have (laughing). We have a lot of those. Random things, like ranking who’s best at Madden. I’ll definitely remember those moments.”

You’re a Kansas commit. The Jayhawks are one of the up and coming football programs in the country. What made you connect with head coach Lance Leipold and his staff? “Off the field, it was their ability to connect with me and how honest they are. They’ve always been honest with me from the jump, no matter if it was a good thing or a bad thing. I could really tell how much they cared about me as a person off the field. Then, they had a plan for me on the field and I could see how much they’ve improved Kansas football since they got there. I’m so excited to be a part of it.”

I know when you went back to KU for a recent visit, they welcomed you with open arms, including a gigantic sign in your honor. What’s the back story of that? “A fraternity made that for me outside of their house. I had no idea they were doing it. They told me to go over there, to the building. I saw it hanging there and definitely thought it was really cool.”

Did you get to talk to the students who did it? “Yes, I did. They were greeting me, welcoming me. Some of the guys found me on social media and stuff like that. They were messaging me, telling me they were excited to have me and couldn’t wait for me to move there. Things like that.”

What have you liked most about Lawrence, besides KU’s campus which is beautiful. “I love the people. I think everyone there is truly passionate in Lawrence, Kansas. Especially coming from Goodyear, and big cities like [Phoenix] you don’t get the love from the town like that, like I did from Lawrence.

“To see that I’m already getting love from the city, and I’m not even out there yet. It’s going to be crazy when I get there.”

Are there any NFL, or college players, you like to watch YouTube on, or study their style and technique? “I really like Micah Parsons. I see him more as an athlete who’s a really good defensive end and that’s what I think of myself as. I like Maxx Crosby. My coaches [The Carter’s] are Raiders’ fans. Julius Armstrong came from Kansas. Guys like that that get after the quarterback.”

I’ve seen you grow quite a bit as a player on the field the last few years. Where do you think you’ve grown the most off the field, as a person at DE? “That’s a really good question. Probably my grades and my leadership. I really started to dial into stuff like that and realized what kind of impact I could have as a leader. I think I’ve definitely stepped up in those areas.”

I saw your Week 1 game at Centennial. In the span of a little more than a quarter, I saw you register two sacks, punt, make the tackle on the punt, and block a field goal right before halftime which you almost housed. Is there anything on the field you can’t do? Let me guess, you can spin it, too? “Honestly, I don’t think there’s a position on the field I can’t play. I can actually throw the ball really well (laughing). I actually think I have the strongest arm on the team. I haven’t had the chance to go against Buddha [Desert Edge junior quarterback Hezekiah Millender]. but I know I can throw it pretty far.”

Hold on. This topic really intrigues me. Does Buddha know you think you have the best arm on the team? “I’m pretty sure he’s heard about it in the past. I’m pretty sure he knows…he doesn’t really say anything. I think he knows I got him (smiling).”

Take us into your pre-game routine Friday night at ASU before you take the field. Is the locker room going to be live or more focused on what lies ahead when you run through that tunnel? “It’s definitely gonna by hype. I’m going to be doing my best to have the highest energy that I’ve had all season. I’m going to spread it to the team to help other guys get hype. I’m definitely going to be locked in, but at the same time, realizing this is going to be my last high school game ever and just leave it all on the field. I’m going to give it everything I got.”

 

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