East County Athlete of the Week: Louisen Desinor

Last season ended with Louisen Desinor under center for Braden River High football. That's where he was May 22 for the team's jamboree against Sarasota and Charlotte. The rising senior quarterback finished 18-for-22 with 257 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception as the Pirates defeated the Fighting Tarpons, 10-0, and the Sailors, 8-7. Desinor, who also scored the game-winning, two-point conversion against Sarasota, is the East County Athlete of the Week.

What are your takeaways from this spring?

We competed. Practices have been very competitive. We've been pushing each other to be better. We started late, but our whole motto was, "We're going to grind better than everybody else." 

What are your goals for this upcoming season?

The big thing is that I want to have a winning season. I want to go out with a bang — not just for me, but for other seniors on the team. That'd be a very good moment for us. Obviously, we want to win playoffs and I want to make it to the next level.

What have you enjoyed about learning and growing with Braden River?

Staff and coaches pour into the players. That's very important when you're trying to build a program — a winning program, at that. You want people sharing knowledge that you may not have and that'll push you to be better. It was such a culture change (transferring from Southeast High ahead of last season). It helped me grow mentally, physically and helped me be a better person on and off the field.

When and why did you start playing football?

I was a basketball guy before I started playing football. I have family in Indiana who like the (New York) Giants and that's what really got me into football. I started watching it and then I started playing flag (football). I wasn't necessarily a quarterback. I was an athlete, so I used to play linebacker, safety, wide receiver and they would move me around. It was just fun playing with your friends and competing and it stuck with me. As I got older, football became my main sport, I trained at it and now I'm here.

Why have you stuck with this sport?

A lot of people can't handle the pressure, but me, I love the pressure that comes with the sport — especially for the quarterback position. If you win a game, it's on you and if you lose a game, it's on you. That only helps you grow mentally. It prepares you. That's why I grew love for the game.

What quote or piece of advice have you always carried with you?

"People will always tell you how to be you, but they will never tell you how to be."

What's a fun fact about you not many people know?

I'm an actor... I've done a few bookings, as well as my family. I've always wanted to be on TV, so having that little side thing is cool. People may not believe it, but once I show them, they're like, "Oh snap, you're being for real."

If you could go anywhere for a dream vacation, where would you go and why?

Either Jamaica or Dubai. Jamaica, I think, is so cool. I (love) the music and I think I would like the food there. The culture is something different. Dubai, I've heard, is so nice. Stuff is expensive over there, though.

Who is your favorite professional athlete and why?

Bijan Robinson, even though he's not my position. I'm an Atlanta Falcons fan. How effective he is at such a young age (is impressive). People still doubt him now, but I think he's (in the) top-five (for) running backs in the league right now. He carries himself a certain way. He scores, but he doesn't boast about it. He's so effective on the field — receiving, rushing — he's such a threat. That's what gives defenses trouble.

Finish this sentence. Louisen Desinor is...

A leader.