Zachae’us Sumlin is a senior player out of Lakeside High School in Minden, Louisiana. Zachae’us is an athlete/running back that stands 5’8” and weighs 155 pounds. He is a multi sport athlete who also runs track. He is very quick, and has breakaway speed. He has good vision when in at running back and has good play recognition at corner back. Zachae’us also is the punt and kick returner for Lakeside and can take the ball the distance for a touchdown every time he touches it. He is a very versatile player and looks the part of an athlete that can play ball on the next level for a big team.
What impact has football had on your life?
The impact it has had on me changed my life. When I was younger, I would get into trouble and football has helped me get away from that and want to do better and go play football in college.
What got you into football?
I have played since I was little for a coach named coach Houston. I started playing football in pee wee and have loved it the whole time. Ever since I ran the ball for the first time it has been the best thing.
What do you love most about the game?
I love the atmosphere the most. Just going out there and running the ball, tackling, hitting and scoring touchdowns is the best thing to me. I have loved running ever since I was little and still love running now.
What other hobbies do you have besides football?
My other hobbies that I do are track, basketball and when I was younger, I did karate. Track would be other big hobby because I love to run. Just racing other people and winning is what I love the most and it makes running fun.
What do you see your team accomplishing the rest of this season?
We want to win the next two games and get to the playoffs. I think we can win and get to round one and win that game too. We would the first Lakeside team in history to win in the playoffs and that is the goal.
What do you see for yourself in the future?
I can see myself coaching one day on at the next level. I want to help kids try to turn their lives around and teach them about what I’ve gone through and help avoid those situations. I have always loved helping people so that is what I want to do while coaching.
What is your biggest inspiration for playing football?
I would say my mother is my biggest inspiration because of all the stuff she does for me to be able to go to school and play football. She is a single parent that is strong and independent that helps to help people and I strive to as good as she is. She is definitely my biggest inspiration.
What type of leadership role do you have on your team?
I feel that I have a big leadership role on this team because of the way I try to encourage and help my teammates and brothers to better themselves on the field and off. I want to be the senior leader that helps mature the younger players to not make mistakes. To help the players understand that playing their hearts out every game and giving their all so they don’t look back and say I wish I could have done more is what I want to do. I have the mentality that I want to go out to practice every day and to games and leave it all out on the field.
