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Sports

Diomi Roberts; Home Grown Garnet and Gold

Senior running back Diomi Roberts' garnet and gold roots, go way back.

Diomi Roberts is no stranger to running the ball and the garnett and gold color scheme.

He played in the Greenwood Panthers youth league from kindergarten to eighth grade. The Panthers have garnett and gold colors and wearing their old-school, youth-league jerseys in practice has become a bit of a fashion trend for the senior running back.

But the colors are even more a foundation to Roberts' football background.

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Roberts lists Buccaneer running back Warrick Dunn as a primary inspiration that led him to football.

"I remember watching him on TV with my dad," Roberts said. "I've always wanted to model my game after his."

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And Roberts seems to be picking up right where he left off last year.

Roberts rushed for more than 1,200 yards on 177 carries with 16 touchdowns last season. Three games into this season he's carried the ball 62 times for more than 400 yards and four touchdowns.

Multiply those numbers out by four and you will get a realistic idea of what Roberts could do this season carrying the ball. He is already eleventh in the state in rushing attempts.

"He's as good as they come, he carries the ball with an attitude," said Countryside head coach Jared Davis. "He runs bigger than what he is and is very difficult to bring down."

Roberts is the horse for the Cougar offensive attack and he bleeds garnett and gold, and apparently has for a long time.

Roberts is a four-year veteran of the Cougar football team. He moved up to varsity at the end of his sophomore stint on the junior varsity squad. He recalls a certain practice, that next spring.

"It was when they first tried me out at running back; I scored on two consecutive running plays," Roberts said. "That's when coach Rose said he wanted me at running back."

Roberts' work ethic and commitment to the garnet and gold are vital to any success Countryside attains this year.

Look for a big year for both the Cougars and for Roberts.

:

What: Countryside vs. Seminole

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: , 3000 State Road 580

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