East County Athlete of the Week: Colton Dempsey

Colton Dempsey is a rising junior running back at Lakewood Ranch High. Dempsey, a transfer from Bradenton Christian School, led the Panthers with 123 carries, 628 rushing yards (5.1 yards per carry) and 10 rushing touchdowns in 2023. 

When did you start playing football?

I started playing flag football when I was 5, then I started tackle football when I was in third grade. My dad (Nathan Dempsey) coached me on a pee-wee team. 

What is the appeal to you?

There's something about the work that goes into it. Not everyone can do it, you know? You can feel good about that. It's exciting to be on the team. It takes hard work. And being a running back is so fun, scoring and making plays. But it's also the teamwork. You get to play with your best friends out there. 

What is your best skill?

My elusiveness and my vision. The elusiveness has come the more I worked at it, but the vision has come naturally. 

What have you been working to improve?

My speed. That has been the biggest leap. I've gone from mediocre to one of the fastest guys on the team. 

What is your favorite memory?

This past season (at Bradenton Christian), I was able to play with my brother Landon. He played tight end. On one of my touchdowns, he blocked for me and afterwards he came over and picked me up. That was one of the coolest moments for sure. 

What is the feeling around the team as practice gets underway?

We're all excited and flying around. We're ready to put on the pads. We're underdogs going into the season. Lakewood Ranch has not (historically) been good. But we are ready to show everyone the new Mustangs. We have the right guys out there, and we have the right coaches in place. We're ready to do our thing.

What are your personal goals for the season?

We're going to have a dual-back situation here, but I'd definitely like to hit 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns and go from there. 

What is your favorite food?

Steak, medium rare. 

What is your favorite school subject?

Science. I like working with the labs. History is fun too, learning about presidents and wars and things like that. 

What is your favorite thing to watch?

I like the (ESPN) 30 for 30 series or football documentaries, things like that. I've been watching the "Receiver" football series on Netflix and that is pretty good, too. 

What are your hobbies?

I've been working out a lot, so I haven't had a lot of down time lately, but I like to fish and hang out with my family. 

What is the best advice you have received?

You're not going to get where you want to be if you're not working harder than everyone else. A small percentage of kids make it to the next level. If you want to be there, you have to outwork everyone else. As a running back, always keep your legs moving. Never go down easy. 

Finish this sentence: "Colton Dempsey is …"

Exciting. I'm always trying to be better than I was the day before.