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Another Summers begins to shine for West
Regan Hill
Sophomore Kam Summers is the son of former West Iredell star Mark Summers.
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Published: October 16, 2009
Kam Summers has quite the West Iredell football pedigree.
The sophomore isn't worried about living up to his family's legacy at the school, though.
"No, I really don't think about it like that," he said. "I just go play."
Kam's father, Mark, a high school All-American receiver, became West's first Shrine Bowl player in 1989. Mark holds just about every Warriors receiving record.
D.J. Summers and Bryan Summers, Kam's uncles, played in the N.C. Coaches Association East-West All-Star game in 1993 and 1998, respectively, after stellar careers wearing the Warriors uniform. D.J. is now the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Catawba College.
Mark Weycker coached all three of Kam's relatives, and he remembers what they were all capable of. The long-time Warriors head coach appreciates the fact Kam is determined to perform at a high level, even though it perhaps means playing in their shadows.
"I think it's good that young people set their own expectations, that they find their own way," Weycker said.
In his first full season on the varsity team, Kam is beginning to do that.
The 6-foot, 174-pounder had his "coming out game" last Friday, when West defeated North Iredell 33-13, according to Weycker.
Kam caught three passes for 71 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Sayer Robinson in the fourth quarter that helped the Warriors open up a 26-7 lead. He also carried the ball three times for 30 yards.
The Warriors use him on defense as well as somewhat of a nickel back. He made his presence felt on that side of the ball, too, against North. On the Raiders' first possession after his touchdown, Kam intercepted a pass that set up West's final touchdown.
"I expect to make plays," Kam said.
What none of the coaches on the Warriors staff expect is for him to draw attention to himself in doing so.
"He doesn't believe his hype," West receivers coach Wesley Beckham said. "He knows he's going to be good, but it's not affecting his play. That's the way I see him. He's still working hard. He's still trying to get better."
Kam essentially should have had two touchdown receptions against the Raiders, but on the first score of the game, Vincent Davidson swooped in front of him to make the catch and score on the 32-yard pass play.
That was the coaches' assessment, at least.
When asked about it, Kam just laughed. With a grin, he said "I didn't care."
That's because his priorities are in order, Weycker believes.
"He's not caught up in the status aspect of it," Weycker said. "He's a great young man, but he doesn't worry about being cool. He knows he's cool.
"I think what excites us so much about him is he is really that one person in the sophomore class that has really shown up from day one and gotten the job done. He has gotten better each day. He shows it in practice every day. He shows it on Friday nights."
Kam's father had quite a few spectacular Friday nights.
Mark Summers once amassed 233 yards receiving in a game. That performance against Newton Foard during his senior year in 1989 still stands as the school's single-game receiving record.
"His daddy might have been one of the top three pure athletes to ever come through our football program," Weycker said of Mark, who finished with 129 receptions for 2,958 yards and 32 touchdowns, all of which are school records for a career.
Kam doesn't distance himself from the football bond he shares with his dad.
"We talk about positions and stuff, how he trained and what he did to get faster and catch better," Kam said. "I'm open to whatever he tells me."
The Warriors could use a few more touchdown receptions like Mark Summers produced to open up their offense. Despite possessing a gifted receiving corps, West's three touchdown passes last week only raised their season total to four.
Kam will do his part to make that number swell as the Warriors look to finish the last four regular season games strong.
"His approach to the game is very serious and very business-like," Weycker said.
Overhearing that comment in the fieldhouse Wednesday, West defensive coordinator Robert Thompson couldn't help but chime in.
"Wish I had about 15 of him," Thompson said with a smile.
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