09 August 2008: Carson H.S. senior football player J.D. Safrit works out with his mother at the Forum Gym. Photo Credit: Sean Meyers

09 August 2008: Carson H.S. senior football player J.D. Safrit works out with his mother at the Forum Gym. Photo Credit: Sean Meyers

CHINA GROVE — Both D.J. and Kim Safrit think this is the year they're finally going to win.

Kim, the 49-year-old mother, feels she has a good shot at winning the Body For Life Challenge, a bodybuilding event with a grand prize of $25,000.

D.J., a senior offensive lineman at Carson, is certain this is the year his school wins the first football game in its history.

They're trying to reach their goals by motivating each other in the gym pumping iron. As much as Kim has toned up, she'll be the first to tell you it's nothing compared to what her son has accomplished.

"A long time ago," she mused, "I was the mom looking down on the little boy. Now, he makes me feel little."

D.J. will make a lot of opposing football players feel little in 2008. Currently, he's standing at a whopping 6-foot-3 and 282 pounds.

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Two years ago, when Carson opened its doors, D.J. walked in as one of the bigger Cougars. He weighed just 210 pounds.

He has played on an offensive line that's endured 22 straight losses. After last season, he noticed how hard his mother was working out for the Body for Life Challenge. That's when he decided to be like Mom.

"I'm not afraid to admit it," he said with a grin. "I'm a mama's boy. She's 49. She doesn't look like it, though. I saw her getting in shape and I'm thinking, 'I need to do a little bit more.' "

That fit the goals of Carson coach Mark Woody. He was intent on getting his players in the weight room and ordered a lifting program. D.J. didn't miss any of those sessions. He and his teammates bonded as their chests, arms and legs expanded.

"We lift every day," Woody said. "We did it that way because we figured they didn't know any different. We've seen tremendous jumps in size and strength. They believe in what we're preaching."

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At the same time, D.J. went to The Forum in Salisbury for one-on-one sessions with Boyd Fields, a former North Carolina Masters Bodybuilding champion. Fields was immediately impressed.

"I can tell where his toughness comes from," Fields said, nodding toward D.J.'s mother. "You can push him, push him and push him and he gives you everything he's got. D.J. has a big heart."

He appreciates what Fields has done for him.

"He trains those muscles you hardly ever use." he said. "It helps on the football field."

Now, a man among men, D.J. is becoming a leader at Carson. He's a starting guard and backup center.

"We've been with this program for two years," he said. "We've got the schemes down right. We've been doing pretty well in practice."

Woody likes his brain as much as his brawn.

"He has a 4.0 GPA," Woody noted. "He's an extremely intelligent kid. It's nice to have somebody who can figure out things."

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Can D.J. figure out how to maneuver around with his new size? From December until now, he has gone from 26 percent body fat to 12 percent.

"With me getting stronger, I haven't noticed a whole lot," he said. "I've gotten faster even though I've gained 70 pounds."

His transformation has caught a few eyes at area prep combines. He is suddenly hearing from colleges. He thanks his coaches, Fields and, of course, his mother.

"It's been a wonderful experience working out with her," he said. "I turn into her trainer. I'm pushing her. I'm addicted to (working out)."

Said Kim of their family time at The Forum, "He maxes out all the equipment in here. I love working out with D.J. He tells me, 'Mom, you can do more.' And he's right."

Fields seems as proud of D.J. as his mother.

"I love to point him out," Fields said. "He's a house."

Friday nights will be reserved for Kim to go from workout mom to football mom. It will be much more stressful watching her son on the field.

"I hope he doesn't get hurt," she laughed.

"And I hope he doesn't hurt somebody."

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Contact Ronnie Gallagher at 704-797-4287 or rgallagher@salisburypost.com.

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