Classmates since starting K4 at Tabernacle Christian in Sarasota, Florida both started their high school journey at nearby Braden River High School through their junior football season and fall semester. During their time at Braden River, as Kevyn explored other positions, and Dusty was called upon to take over varsity duties his sophomore season, the two lost the connection of igniting the offense together. When the decision was reached both would transfer to a private school, both elected to join Bradenton Christian before the start of the spring semester last winter. Now they cherish the familiarity they will again have with their quarterback-center exchange, as well, as the opportunity to reach their goals and finish their senior season together.
Both sat down to share their journeys leading up to their senior season.
Q: Share how your journey playing football and starting the quarterback-center exchange began?
RAMETTA: "We started out playing flag football in 6th grade. I was easily the biggest kid on the field so I started out playing center and Dusty was our quarterback. I stuck with flag football through 8th grade, and did not play my first year of contact football until the 9th grade. I think it was good for me because it really allowed me to grasp the basics and fundamentals of the game. When I started playing, I didn't even know I could snap but my coaches told me I had a gift doing it. I wasn't sure how far I was going to take playing football; I thought I was a golfer; but flag football was my introduction to football becoming my favorite sport. During flag football, I also got the chance to be Dusty's back-up quarterback (laughing)."
PEEBLES: "I was actually double dipping with playing on our school's flag football team and after that practice ended I would join my Pop Warner team. So, I was playing both flag and contact football during middle school. I was the quarterback on our flag team, but in Pop Warner I actually was moved around from defensive end to linebacker to tight end to even playing some offensive tackle before I finally took over as the quarterback in 8th grade."
Q: Looking back at your freshman year in high school, how did the transition go for each of you in acclimating yourself to high school football?
RAMETTA: "We both started out on the freshman team. I continued playing center and Dusty continued as our quarterback. It was a struggle at first for me to play with pads on, but I was very fortunate that my freshman coach stayed on me. I knew him pretty well and he kept pushing me, encouraging me to do it over and over until I finally got the grasp of it. I'd grade my freshman year as the mental phase of learning the game in pads."
PEEBLES: "Our freshman year was a good learning experience and helped me gain comfort with my new surroundings and teammates. But after that, it was a quick transition for me as I had to step up and compete for the varsity quarterback position going into my sophomore year."
Q: Did you both see a big jump in your play your sophomore season?
PEEBLES: "I kept improving and saw playing time throughout the season with the varsity team, usually at the end of games. I gained valuable experience with each rep, and then I was named the starting quarterback for the last two games. We had not won a game up to that point. My first game starting was against Venice and that definitely made me realize that I couldn't just out run people any longer. It was a good eye opener to the level of competition I'd be going against. I did manage to throw a touchdown pass in the game. Then, my proudest moment was our final game against Palmetto Ridge. I threw three touchdowns and we won the game. It gave me major confidence going into my junior year."
RAMETTA: "I moved over to offensive tackle and played with the junior varsity team. It was good to learn another position along the offensive line and I saw improvement but would say I saw my biggest jump my junior season when I played at the varsity level. At the beginning of my junior season, I switched over to nose guard on defense. I was the long snapper all year for every game but it was not until the second to last game of the year against Palmetto High that I received snaps on defense. It was an eye opener for sure because everything moves a lot faster on the defensive side of the ball. It helped me with my physicality because I didn't have to carry out an assignment but I had to go out and make a play. I learned a lot about myself. I learned how to play offensive line better knowing the mentality of a defensive lineman and what they are looking for and the keys they are reading. "
Q: Dusty, recap your junior season...
PEEBLES: "In the 7 games I started my junior season, we went 4-3. I felt I was playing really well. My accuracy improved through the season, as well, as my ability to make pre-snap reads. My best statistical game of the year was against Lakewood Ranch when I threw for 300 yards, 3 touchdowns, and even ran for a touchdown but we lost that game. So, my best overall game was against the team that won our district, Sarasota High. I threw 3 touchdowns in that game and we won by 3 points."
Q: Following your junior seasons, you both decided to change schools. What led you to Bradenton Christian?
RAMETTA: "I have friends from early in my childhood who attend Bradenton Christian. We all started school at Tabernacle Christian and I saw nothing wrong with returning to my roots. I knew a lot about Bradenton Christian, the whole atmosphere, and it is what I've been through my whole life. Growing up in the Christian environment is what I am used to."
PEEBLES: "I have a cousin who attends Bradenton Christian that gave me a lot of insight on the academics provided there and the people involved with the school. I felt good about returning to a Christian, college prep environment."
Q: How would you rate your development through the spring and off-season?
PEEBLES: "I've worked really hard on improving my load and release throwing with a higher release and shortening my stride. I've continued to get bigger and stronger and have seen an increase of over 50 pounds with both my bench and squat maxes. I consistently ran my 40 in the 4.5's at college camps this summer and feel the most athletic I have ever been.
RAMETTA: "I continued to work on my footwork a lot, my speed, and my agility. My production in the weight room went up a lot and I feel a lot stronger. I had to mentally improve my ability to let the past be the past and focus in on the next play. I am a lot more prepared mentally to play at a high level this fall. I have made solid improvement with my long snapping and am snapping with much better accuracy and speed than I have before because of the specialists camps I attended this summer."
(NOTE: Peebles was recently elected a new Team Captain and will also be playing defense as an expected starter at Safety. Rametta will continue to handle all long-snapping duties on special teams.)
Q: This summer you joined the GAIN Sports Bus Tour, in addition, to attending several other college camps. How were your experiences and what have you learned about the college recruiting process?
PEEBLES: "It was definitely really cool to be able to go to a lot of different colleges, talk with a lot of different coaches, and see different teaching styles everywhere. Also, to get a feel for the campuses and see what type of campus fits you best for college. A definite advantage of joining the bus tour was upon our arrival at the camps, people would notice us all in the same gear and it definitely got the coaches attention from the start. You could see a WOW factor with the coaches seeing us all arrive together."
RAMETTA: "I had no idea what college football recruiting was at first, but I have learned it is very complex. There's a lot of process that goes into it and getting out there and known. You have to remain respectful and focused on doing your best. You have to trust your hard work. The coolest part of the bus tour was seeing how so many athletes from around the country joined together and learning we were all very similar. It was interesting to see all the different campuses and how competitive it is to earn a spot with each college."
Q: What are your expectations for the 2014 season and with your college recruitment?
PEEBLES: "I really like (head) coach (Allan) Gerber and really like our team. We have a great group of guys and believe we can do big things this season. We want to extend our season as far as we can and our goal is to win a championship. We have the pieces to do it, we just have to work to put it all together. My focus is to continue to improve, be a leader for the team, and win games. I am excited to also start at safety this fall and play defense again for the first time since 8th grade. I think I offer a lot of athleticism and ball skills to the position, but I don't want to be looked at as a prospect at a specific position, I want to be looked at as a football player and someone who is willing to do what any coach would ask me to do to be a part of the team. Playing college football has always been my dream. I am just looking for a school with strong academics, a team with a strong family environment, and an opportunity to play."
RAMETTA: "My personal goal is to develop as a leader on special teams and on our offensive line. Do it by example and do what I have to do to be a great player. Execute each play and finish. Special teams are a third of the game and I know with the example I set with my play I can have a lot of influence with our special teams production. Our team is focused and we want to go out and win every game. With the college I select, I want to go to a school that fits me academically and where I can earn a good degree. I plan to major in Finance. I'm open to do whatever the coach needs from me; whether I am long-snapping and playing offensive line; or only one of the two."
Q: With the return to a Christian school and to your quarterback-center exchange, you may say you guys have come a full circle. Lastly, how do you describe your relationship going into your senior year?
PEEBLES: "I know he's going to give it everything he's got every play and put the snap where it needs to be. We've put in a lot of work after practice together. I couldn't count on a better guy who has been my close friend and teammate my whole life. I know I could count on him for anything. Our last year at Tabernacle Christian we won our league championship in 8th grade so it'd be pretty cool to finish on the same note this year"
RAMETTA: "With Dusty being behind me, I know if I give my all, he will make a play behind me because he always has and has that type of talent. I know he will always give his maximum effort and hustle with each play. I am pumped for the opportunity we have together and we plan to go out and give it our very best this season."
