Thomas nabs Leader Male Athlete of the Year

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Thomas nabs Leader Male Athlete of the Year

Van Wade

The Orange Leader

When the name Earl Thomas comes to the surface, the casual sports fans will remember the 2007 West Orange-Stark graduate as being one of the best football players ever to come out of Orange County.

After all, Thomas will don a University of Texas Longhorn jersey this season. Many remember Thomas’ numbers at WO-S in three years, three seasons in which the Mustangs won 30 out of 35 games and three straight District 21-3A crowns.

Many will remember his defensive prowess that accounted for nearly 20 career interceptions and tight man-to-man coverage that garnered him the Willie Ray Smith Defensive Award as a senior.

Of course, there were his offensive numbers that led up to 303 carries for 2,022 yards and 26 touchdowns and 66 catches for 1,223 yards and 17 TDs. Then there were those outstanding kickoff and punt returns that allowed him to account for four more TDs that gave him 47 in three years.

“Without a doubt, football is my passion,†said Thomas. “I guess I’ll be remembered more for what I did on a football field. I played everything else to keep myself in good shape. My family pushed me to be the best I could be and plus, being involved in school activities can really keep you out of trouble.â€

Thomas caused trouble for opponents not just on the gridiron, but in three other sports as well.

He made the All-District basketball team for three seasons and was Defensive Player of the Year his senior year. The Mustangs made the playoffs all three seasons with Thomas at guard, including a Region III crown and a trip to the Class 3A State Semifinals as a junior in 2006.

There were just as many exploits out on the track as Thomas totaled three bronze medals at the 3A State Track Meet, including two his senior year in the long jump and the 400-meter relay.

Last, but certainly not least, was his All-District recognition in baseball for three seasons. As a senior, Thomas batted over .400 and led the Mustangs in home runs and steals.

Without question, Thomas left his mark on not only the WO-S athletic program but on Orange County sports history as well. With his achievements, Thomas is the 2007 Orange Leader Male Athlete of the Year.

“That’s quite an honor and I certainly didn’t do it by myself,†Thomas said. “God has been right by my side the whole way. I’ve been fortunate to be blessed with an outstanding family that was right there by my side from Little League days on up. I had the pleasure of working beside some outstanding teammates that always pushed each other. The coaching staff at WO-S, they were like my second family too.â€

After getting some late time on the varsity at Little Cypress-Mauriceville as a freshman, Thomas transferred to WO-S for his sophomore season and exploded onto the county sports scene.

He made an immediate impact on the football field and the rest is history.

“Coach (Dan) Hooks showed confidence in me early and that made me feel great and everyone treated well and I was able to fit right in,†Thomas said. “Coach (Mark) Foreman, he is like a second father to me and is the best secondary coach ever. We had a tremendous run.â€

The Mustangs got as far as the state semifinals in 2005, falling to eventual state champion Wimberley.

“Three district titles in a row, that’s tough to do,†Thomas said. “I can say that I never lost a district game and many people can’t say that. I really thought we had a chance to get a state title the last two years, that’s the only thing that I regret. We had enough talent to get it done. There will always be those games you’d like to play over again but that’s just part of football.â€

Coach Hooks has seen many outstanding gridders come through the pike but Thomas was definitely one of those rare players.

“Earl Thomas is one of those unique individuals that can do it all,†Hooks said. “He rarely had a chance to come off the football field. He played offense, defense and special teams. Sometimes you just wanted to give him the keys to the bus too. He has tremendous stamina. He might come out a play or to here and there and then immediately wanted back into the game.â€

Thomas is currently busting his “backbone†at Texas, getting ready for the first official day of practice Aug. 6.

He’s already had a taste of college life, taking some summer courses and working out hard with his Longhorn teammates.

“It’s crazy how hard the guys work out up here,†said Thomas. “I’ve never worked so hard in my life. I wasn’t in the weightroom a whole lot in high school because of the other sports I was playing. It was tough at first, but I’m starting to feel pretty good now and I’ve adjusted to college life.â€

“Earl’s going to be just fine,†Hooks said. “He was such a great athlete in everything and it was fun to watch him do so well in all the other sports. There wasn’t much weight-training after his football seasons here but I understand he looks really good and has built up a lot of strength.â€

Thomas, who will play in the Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star Football Game Tuesday night, is anxious to get his college career going. He understands that there will be a big difference between playing the likes of Dayton and Hamshire-Fannett to playing titans like Oklahoma and Texas A&M.

“Nothing against high school, but these guys up here (Austin) are so huge and so fast,†Thomas said. “It’s a whole new game. If you don’t keep up, then you want play much. They have a routine set up and they make sure you do it. I can’t wait to see what it’s like to play in a Big 12 game, that’s going to be awesome.â€

Thomas has great memories of the other sports he competed in as well.

“In basketball, we had some great runs and great times,†said Thomas. “I think we shocked everybody, including ourselves, when we went to state in 2006. Nobody gave us a chance to go that far but as the season went along and when we won some tough playoff games, we knew we had it in us.â€

His track days were always pleasant as well and mixed in that sport at the same time with baseball. He was an important leg on both the state-qualifying 400 and 800-meter relays that included Dominique Rhodes, Jacoby Franks and Josh Gloston

“Trips to Austin two straight years in the relays were a highlight for me,†Thomas said. “I loved being around those guys so much and we were always kidding around and cutting up. Coach (Toby) Foreman was a super track coach too, always pushing us to be the best.â€

Though the Mustangs struggled at times on the baseball diamond, Thomas had no regrets.

“It’s tough when you don’t win as many games but I loved my teammates and everyone played so hard,†Thomas said. “I grew up loving baseball and it was something I didn’t want to give up.â€

Thomas may wear burnt orange now but he we always treasure his days in blue and silver.

“I could’ve just played football and just went on with it but high school is suppose to be one of the best times of your life so I wanted to everything that I could possibly do,†Thomas said. “I met a lot of great people along the way that has helped guide me and even better, I know I can always go back and those people will still be there for me. There’s nothing like being a part of the Mustang family.â€

Orange Leader Athletes of the Year

Van Wade

The Orange Leader

Orange Leader Athletes of the Year

1974

Athlete of the Year — Ray Pousson, West Orange

Football — James Long, West Orange

Basketball — Waymon Sibley, West Orange

Baseball — Paul Richardson, West Orange

Track — David Guidry, Bridge City

1975

Athlete of the Year — Dale McCall, LC-M

Football — Craig Couvillion, Stark

Basketball — Donald Mosby, Stark

Baseball — Billy Bayliss, Stark

Track — Greg Peveto, Stark

1976

Athlete of the Year — Andre Robertson, West Orange

Football — Randy Fults, Bridge City

Basketball — Bill Grayson, Stark

Baseball JE Lancaster, West Orange

Track — Gary Worster, Bridge City

1977

Athlete of the Year — Dudley Kraus, Orangefield

Football — Jeff Fruge, Orangefield

Basketball — Randy Martell, West Orange

Baseball — Kim Bryant, Bridge City

Track — Patrice Roberts, Stark

1978

Athlete of the Year — David Jones, Bridge City

Football — Tony January, WO-S

Basketball — Acy Duhon, Bridge City

Baseball — Harlan Robertson, WO-S

Track — Greg Hill, WO-S

1979

Athlete of the Year — Bryan Ward, Bridge City

Football — Jimmy Jones, Vidor

Basketball — Greg Marshall, WO-S

Baseball — Pat Meeks, Bridge City

Track — Greg Hill, WO-S

1980

Athlete of the Year — Keith Little, Orangefield

Football — Kerry Franks, WO-S

Basketball — David Ess, Bridge City

Baseball — Patt Meeks, Bridge City

Track — Mark Kelly, Bridge City and Bradley Peveto, Orangefield

1981

Athlete of the Year — Louis Moore, WO-S

Football — Lawrence Hardin, WO-S

Basketball — Wendell Martin, Bridge City

Baseball — Wade Phillips, WO-S

Track — Bradley Peveto, Orangefield

1982

Athlete of the Year — Cazzy Francis, LC-M

Football — Tommy Peevey, Orangefield

Basketball — Walt Montet, Bridge City

Baseball — Mike Perkins, LC-M

Track — Larnell Thomas, WO-S

1983

Athlete of the Year — Home Rhodes, LC-M

Football — Tim Hagler, Vidor

Basketball — Connally Brown, WO-S

Baseball — Greg Choate, LC-M

Track — Aaron Hollier, Bridge City

1984

Athlete of the Year — Harold Green, WO-S

Football — Homer Rhodes, LC-M

Basketball — Anna Cooper, LC-M

Baseball — Tony Dallas, WO-S

Track — Derek Anderson, LC-M

1985

Athlete of the Year — Johnny White, Orangefield

Football — Harvey Granger, Orangefield

Basketball — Bonnie Henson, WO-S

Baseball — Shon Shelton, WO-S

Track — Andrew Hollier, Bridge City

1986

Athlete of the Year — Roderick Robertson, WO-S

Football — Mark LeBlanc, Bridge City

Basketball — Michael Chavis, WO-S

Baseball — Mike Stewart, LC-M

Track — Troy Guilbeaux, LC-M

1987

Athlete of the Year — Troy Guilbeaux, LC-M

Football — Jeff Knox, WO-S

Basketball — Tonya Dove, WO-S

Baseball — Brian Daniels, LC-M

Track — Brian Cleveland, WO-S

1988

Athlete of the Year — Kevin Smith, WO-S

Football — Quinton Tezeno, WO-S

Basketball — Gary Scott, WO-S

Baseball — Thad Chaddrick, Bridge City

Track — Krista Vicknair, Bridge City

1989

Athlete of the Year — Jeff Granger, Orangefield

Football — Terrance Brown, WO-S

Basketball — Travesa Gant, WO-S

Baseball — Bruce Aven, WO-S

Track — Wayne Guidry, Orangefield

1990

Athletes of the Year — Jeff Granger, Orangefield and Sondra Ancelot, Orangefield

Football — Ron Hasley, WO-S

Basketball — Travesa Gant, WO-S

Baseball — Bo Mires, Bridge City

Track — Wayne Guidry, Orangefield

1991

Athlete of the Year — Laney Menard, Bridge City

Football — Tim Allen, WO-S

Basketball — Kelly Colburn, LC-M

Baseball — Kelly Free, WO-S

Track — Wayne Guidry, Orangefield and JoJo Harris, Orangefield

1992

Athlete of the Year — Kerry Bennett, WO-S

Football — Frank Carpenter, Bridge City

Basketball — Shandi Brister, Orangefield

Baseball — Steve Martin, Bridge City

Track — Wayne Guidry, Orangefield

1993

Athlete of the Year — Bob Buxton, Deweyville

Football — Frank Turner, WO-S

Basketball — Candie Holt, Orangefield

Baseball — Frankie Tays, LC-M

Track — Meshell Richard, WO-S

1994

Athlete of the Year — Kendall Cleveland, WO-S

Football — Warring Vital, WO-S

Basketball — Nicole Daniels, Orangefield

Baseball — Stephen Gilbert, Deweyville

Track — Jacob Davis, Orangefield

1995

Athletes of the Year — Becca Mathews, Bridge City and Ramona Papillion, WO-S

Football — Buster Ascol, LC-M and Josh Tims, WO-S

Basketball — Jessica Callahan, Deweyville

Baseball — Kevin Kirby, Orangefield

Track — Jacob Davis, Orangefield

1996

Athletes of the Year — Eric Anderson, WO-S and Charlie Nichols, LC-M

Football — T.J. Locks, WO-S

Basketball — B.J. Evans, LC-M and Tiffany Rogers, WO-S

Baseball — John Patterson, WO-S

Track — Brandy Spencer, WO-S

1997

Athlete of the Year — Norris McGhee, WO-S

Football — Logan Moore, Deweyville

Basketball — Jason Throop, LC-M

Baseball — Beau Hale, LC-M

Track — Brandy Spencer, WO-S

1998

Athlete of the Year — Roy Locks, WO-S

Football — Charles Sias, WO-S

Basketball — Leanne Stark, LC-M

Baseball — Jeremy Green, LC-M

Track — Jonathan Henley, Orangefield

1999

Athletes of the Year — Eric Eshbach, Orangefield and April Belk, Bridge City

Football — Beaux Daville, Orangefield

Basketball — Marcus Campbell, LC-M

Baseball — Billy Burrow, LC-M

Track — Kim Riley, LC-M

2000

Athletes of the Year — Gayron Allen, WO-S and Kacey Worthy, Orangefield

Football — Dane Savoie, Orangefield

Basketball — Marcus Campbell, LC-M and LaToya Lewis, LC-M

Volleyball — Erin Dillow, Bridge City

Baseball — Josey Kelley, LC-M

Softball — Laura Gremilion, Bridge City

Track — Sharonda Renfro, WO-S

Soccer — Derek Knapp, LC-M

Tennis — David Duplechin, Orangefield

Golf — Michael Arnaud, WO-S

2001

Athletes of the Year — Ben King Bridge City and Melanie Hamerly, LC-M

Football — Jermaine Hope, WO-S

Volleyball — Jessica Johnson, Bridge City

Basketball — Anthony Acosta, Bridge City and Labarbara Locks, WO-S

Baseball — Chad Barbre, WO-S

Softball — Laura Gremillion, Bridge City

Soccer — Cody Davis, LC-M

Track — Donald Paul, WO-S

Tennis — Brandon Odom and Joseph Hannon, WO-S

Golf — Katie Harrison, LC-M

2002

Athletes of the Year — Jamey Knight, Bridge City and Nikki McCall, Deweyville

Football — Luke Wolfford, Bridge City

Volleyball — Stephanie Hyatt, LC-M

Basketball — Joey Byerly, WO-S and Layne Riddick, Vidor

Soccer — Matt Day, LC-M

Track — Brandon Johnson, WO-S

Baseball — Luther Sanders, Bridge City

Softball — Maranda Hester, Deweyville

Tennis — Justin Boynton, LC-M

Golf — Hunter Cooper, Community Christian

2003

Athletes of the Year — Jamey Knight, Bridge City and Kimmie Bayliss, LC-M

Football — Matt Peebles, Bridge City

Volleyball — Jayme Powell, LC-M

Basketball — Joey Byerly, WO-S and Geneva Spears, WO-S

Soccer — Kristen Lanning, LC-M

Track — Brandon Johnson, WO-S

Baseball — Derek Blacksher, Bridge City

Softball — Heather Bobbitt, Vidor

Tennis — Bobby Seals and Jacob Moore, WO-S

Golf — Hunter Cooper, Community Christian

2004

Athletes of the Year — Zane Williams, Deweyville and Brittany James, WO-S

Football — John Modica, Orangefield

Volleyball — Erica Sibley, LC-M

Boys basketball — Austin Farias, Orangefield

Girls basketball — Kirby Myers, Orangefield

Soccer — Jonathan Davis, LC-M

Track — Michael Gauthier, Bridge City

Baseball — Shon Landry, LC-M

Softball — Cody Trahan, LC-M

Tennis — Michael Moore and Daniel Marshall, WO-S

Golf — Hunter Cooper, Community Christian

2005

Athletes of the Year — Cody Sparks, Bridge City and Brittany James, WO-S

Football — Kenneth Beasley, WO-S

Volleyball — Erica Sibley, LC-M

Boys basketball — Chris Barnes, LC-M

Girls basketball — Kirby Myers, Orangefield

Soccer — Kayla Williams, LC-M

Track — Aaron Brannen, Bridge City

Baseball — Kevin Angelle, Bridge City

Softball — Meagan Godwin, Bridge City

Tennis — Kody Duplechin, Bridge City

Golf — Hunter Cooper, Community Christian

2006

Athletes of the Year — Cody Sparks, Bridge City and Brittany James, WO-S

Football — Kenneth BEasley, WO-S

Volleyball — Andie Myers, Bridge City

Boys basketball —Seth Harley, LC-M

Girls basketball — Brittney Scott, WO-S

Soccer — James Medley, Vidor

Track — Aaron Brannen, Bridge City

Baseball — Kevin Angelle, Bridge City

Softball — Cody Trahan, LC-M

Tennis — Kody Duplechin, Bridge City

Golf — Ryan Prejean, LC-M

2007

Athletes of the Year — Earl Thomas, WO-S, Christina Jaques, Bridge City

Football — Justin Williams, Deweyville

Volleyball — Julie Mason, LC-M

Boys basketball — Richard Netherly, WO-S

Girls basketball — Brittney Scott, WO-S

Soccer — Kayla Williams, LC-M

Track — Drew Bean, LC-M

Baseball — Johnny Dishon, Bridge City

Softball — Shandi Conner, Bridge City

Tennis — Devin Armstrong and Shanita Maceda, Bridge City

Golf — Natalie McLane, Orangefield

[Gabe]

Congratulations to an extremely gifted athlete. You know I challenged Earl to a race at the district track meet and he never took me up on the offer. Of course I said I had to get a head start and be driving in my car. Cant wait to see Earl in a UT jersey.