ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Trey Newsome

The First Academy senior and strong safety Trey Newsome was named captain during his last season with the Royals and currently leads his team in tackles (77) and is tied for team-best in interceptions (four).

Tell us a little bit about your last season.
This past season, it’s been my first full season in football.  My first three years, I had an injury at some point in the season. … So, this is my first full season, and I was lucky enough to be named a captain on the team.

How long have you been playing football?
I’ve played football since I can remember. My dad (Bob) was my coach. I think I’ve played since I was probably in kindergarten, so 5 or 6 years old.

Why football?
Originally, it was something I could do with my dad. Now, it’s a good combination for me with skill but also physicality and stamina. It’s a sport that has a lot of different factors. … You can be physical and technical, and it’s also a team sport, so you have to rely on other people.

Have you played any other sports?
Mainly, (my three sports have been) tennis, football and basketball. Football is definitely my favorite. It’s my passion and what I want to do in college.

What do you believe football has taught you not only on the field but also off of it?
Although you have to be physical, you have to be composed and keep your cool — it’s a nice balance. It’s also taught me the value of teamwork. … Football doesn’t end when the season ends. It’s honestly just starting when the season ends. You have to constantly work at it after, and that’s what you have to do if you want to be good at anything in life — whether that’s football, your job or school.

What do you believe makes you unique on the football field?
For me, when I get on the field, I kind of flip a switch. I am not afraid to hit anybody, I’m not afraid to come down and make a tackle in the box even though I’m a little bit smaller. I’m not afraid to do anything. I think that’s kind of what separates me from most (players) is that I don’t have fear when I play. … It comes down to, ‘Are you able to commit 100% to what you are doing?’ And I feel like for me, it’s 100% commitment every play I make.

What are you going to miss most about playing high school football with the Royals?
Well, it’s all I’ve known on the football field. It’s the only program I’ve ever been a part of, so that’s something that’s going to be a change for me wherever I go. I’m unsure of where I’m going to be playing next year in college, but it’s going to be different than what I’m used to. I’ll miss … the relationship that I have with my teammates (and) the coaches. Coach (Leroy) Kinard has been my head coach through all my high school (years) and even was influential to me in middle school. So not having him there — it’s going to be something I’ll miss. … Even though the next stage of life is necessary and it’s going to be good, that’s definitely what I’m going to miss.

What would you like to study in college? Why?
I want to either major in biology or maybe sports medicine on a pre-med track. I want to be a surgeon for either orthopedic or trauma, so I want to go to med school.

What’s your favorite hobby?
Probably fishing. I live near a lake, so I get to fish often. It’s something that me and my grandfather always used to do together. He kind of instilled that in me.

What’s your favorite movie? Why?
“My All American,” it’s a football movie about a kid who was smaller and played safety, and he was not afraid to hit anybody either. He was smaller than everybody but he hit the hardest and worked the hardest. It’s something that I feel I relate to. I’m not the fastest guy on the field and I’m not the strongest guy on the field, but I’m not afraid to get in there and I work harder than the person next to me. So I feel like I kind of relate to that movie and it’s also a good football movie.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
Probably to breathe underwater. I love the water. I love fishing, but I also love getting behind the boat and wakeboarding.

What type of music do you listen to?
If I’m driving in my car I usually listen to some form of country music. But, before a game I usually listen to some rock.

What are three places you’d like to visit?
The Swiss Alps. I want to go ski there. … I want to go to Fiji or some Pacific island to see the blue water and go scuba diving — that seems fun. And then I’d probably go to London. Seems like a cool place to go with cool buildings and lots of history.

What are three things you would bring to a deserted island?
One and two are definitely going to be food and water and … maybe bring a friend along with me, so I can have somebody to hang out with and (also) explore the island.

If you could be an animal for a day, which one would it be and why?
I’d probably be a shark. I can go in the ocean, and it feels like it’d be nice to swim efficiently and breathe underwater. And … you kind of have that intimidation factor (being) a shark.

What color would you say represents your personality?
Probably red. I’m not sure why, but red has always been my favorite color.