PHOTO BY RAY HORNER

East senior Joshmere Dawson found his niche as a defensive lineman. An All-City academic pick, he had 23 TFLs and is SportsInk.com Athlete of the Week for Nov. 13-19.

Akron East senior defensive standout Joshmere Dawson is the SportsInk.com Athlete of the Week for Nov. 13-19.

Dawson led coach Damon Beasley's football Dragons with 62 tackles and five quarterback sacks,

“He was all over the field for us -- what a year,” said Beasley. “He is a great kid who I coached for four years."

Dawson also led the team with an eye-popping 23 tackles for loss.

“I love to tackle people -- it's fun,” Dawson said.

Prior to this year, this East defensive stalwart had strictly been an offensive lineman but pleaded with the coaching staff this season to move to the other side of the ball.

“I would just watch games and study players so I knew I could do the job for our team,” he said.

A 4.0 GPA student, Dawson last week was named first-team All-City Series on the defensive line and Academic All-City.

“He is a great person. He gave it every day even though we struggled with wins (1-9). Joshmere showed up everyday ready to work,” Beasley said.

At the season's beginning, the Dragons tried to use Dawson at offensive center, but it was not a good fit.

“Let me say this, I now have the utmost respect for all centers,” Dawson said.

Instead, he became a force on the defensive side of the ball.

Dawson started playing football at the age of 9 and has always been on the line. Academics have been stressed in his home as well.

“My mom told me to get good grades and then I can worry about sports," he said. "That's what I did."

Senior

Akron East

Football

GPA:  4.0

TV:  First Take

Movie:  Space Jam / Lion King

IPod:  Machine Kelly

Pizza:  Sausage/bacon

Home Cooking:  Chicken alfredo

Class:  History

Bucket List:  Own recreation center.