Leaving a Mark

By the Numbers

3 — Years Carter has been on the Tornadoes varsity squad. 

2 — Brothers of Carter’s who played high school football. 

6 — Age Carter began playing football for the Sarasota Redskins. 

3.8 — Carter’s GPA. 

SARASOTA — Spencer Carter would rather give a hit than take a hit. 

The Booker High senior plays safety and running back for the Tornadoes, but it’s on the defensive side of the ball where Carter has been known to leave his mark. 

In Booker’s second district game of the 2014 season, Carter made a pair of game changing tackles on 5-foot-11, 235-pound Hardee running back Keyonte Holley, which flipped him into the air and back down onto the ground. 

Carter stands 5-8 and weighs 170 pounds. 

“I just shot really low,” Carter says. “I was excited when it happened because I wasn’t expecting him to do what he did because he was so big. It was definitely unexpected.” 

It was almost as if Carter knew exactly what Holley was going to do. And in some ways, he probably did. 

Carter grew up playing running back for the Sarasota Redskins before switching to corner back as a freshman. Carter transitioned to safety last season after one of the Tornadoes’ starting safeties went down with an injury. 

Carter’s ability to see the field from both angles has made him one of Booker’s most versatile weapons. 

“Being a running back helps when I play safety because I know what moves to make, and I can guess what moves they’re going to make,” Carter says. 

After watching Booker suffer a losing season his freshman year, Carter has helped lead the Tornadoes to the playoffs season of the past two seasons, including a trip to the regional semifinals two years ago. 

But Carter still has yet to hoist a district championship trophy — a fact he hopes to change this season. 

Carter grew up attending games at Booker on Friday nights. And while Carter didn’t really pay attention to what was happening on the field, he remembers the excitement that surrounded the community in 2007 — the last time Booker won a district championship. 

“There’s a lot of tradition here,” Carter says. “Players will come back, and you can see what they did to help the program become what it is now.” 

In his final season in purple and gold, Carter looks to lead the area in interceptions and have more tackles than he did a season ago. But more important than his own individual accolades, Carter hopes to cement his legacy by bringing a district championship back to Booker. 

“It would mean a lot, since this is my last year, to be able to bring some hardware and accolades back to Booker,” Carter says. “I just want to be remembered as a hard-working person who puts the team first and then me second.” 

“He’s a great character kid, and I don’t use the word great lightly,” coach Recharde Goodwyn says of Carter. “He’s personable and engaging, and he just does things the right way.” 

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected]. 

IN HIS OWN WORDS 

Who is the one player on this team who may not get all of the notoriety, but is instrumental to the team’s success?

A: I would give it to the whole offensive line. You can’t win without them. Without an offensive line, the defense would be able to put pressure on the quarterback. The offensive line gets all of my props because its the driving force of the team. 

Do you have any pregame rituals?

A: I pray for health and no injuries on either side of the field and strength. Then I get hyped and excited. 

What’s the one game on the schedule that you’re looking forward to the most?

A: Sarasota. One player said he was going to have two touchdowns and 100 yards, so I’m looking forward to quieting him. 

What’s your favorite pregame meal?

A: Parmesan chicken pasta

What’s one thing that people might not know about you?

A: I want to go skydiving. It’s on my bucket list.