Now as the team’s senior quarterback, having helped the team to a 7-4 record and the first postseason appearance in school history last fall, he wants nothing less than the same success.
“I expect round two this year and to keep going,” Thomas said Wednesday after practice at Northwestern.
The Warriors got off to a good start in pursuit of that goal, routing Southeastern 37-7 and Northeastern 41-0 in their first two games. Thomas wants to return to the playoffs in his final season. He said there's no other feeling like playing in Week 11.
» SEASON PREVIEW: Warriors ready to defend title
“It was great,” he said. “The amount of people we had standing outside our building just waiting for us to leave on the bus, everyone was there for us. It was all about us. It was awesome.”
Thomas played quarterback through the seventh grade but switched to receiver for the next four seasons. He caught 26 passes for 273 yards last season. With last year’s starter, Chris Hart, graduating, the Warriors needed a new quarterback.
“I’ve always been a backup quarterback, the guy who runs the scout team,” Thomas said. “Since there was no one else this year, (coach Shane Carter) put me in there and said I need to start working.”
Thomas improved his arm strength throughout the offseason. He lifted weights but said he mostly focused on throwing passes every day.
“I didn’t have a really strong arm,” Thomas said. “I wasn’t a great thrower. I worked at it, and I think I’ve got a strong arm now.”
» AREA QUARTERBACKS: Shawnee’s Glass | Greenon’s Rice
Thomas saw results in the first two weeks even though he was throwing with a sore back that is feeling better entering week three. He has completed 20 of 36 passes for 262 yards with six touchdowns and one interception.
Carter described Thomas as a confident but not cocky player who has earned the respect of his teammates.
"Gavin's played a lot of snaps since the year I got here," said Carter, who's in his third year at Northwestern. "He's played offensively and defensively. He's been one of our best players and one of our smartest kids. He's working on continuing to be a better leader — to lead by example — and ultimately getting the guys reallied around him. He's a great competitor. He's a gamer. He doesn't want to lose. I'm excited and thankful to have him and look forward to enjoying these next eight games together. He's healthy, and he's ready to roll."
Top Week 3 games
Northwestern (2-0) at Milton-Union (2-0): The Warriors won this matchup 35-21 a year ago after losing 29-13 in 2017. Milton-Union opened the season by beating Miami East 46-15 and Oakwood 51-22.
» GIRLS SOCCER: Greeneview returning to championship form
“We know they have a good program and some good athletes,” Carter said. “Their quarterback does a nice job spreading the ball around. They run the Wing T. I grew up playing the Wing T at Troy. I think our staff has our kids prepared to fill gaps and have a successful game plan.”
Springfield (1-1) at Miamisburg (1-1): Both teams will try to rebound from their first losses. The Wildcats lost 16-12 at home to Fairfield. Miamisburg lost 37-6 at Olentangy.
Shawnee (1-1) at Thurgood Marshall (1-1): Shawnee quarterback Robie Glass ranks second in the Central Buckeye Conference in rushing yards (348), and Drew Mitch ranks second in receiving yards (177).
Greenon (2-0) at Northeastern (0-2): Greenon is off to its first 2-0 start since 2008 and has scored 121 points in its first two games against Shawnee and Bradford.
Benjamin Logan (1-1) at Kenton Ridge (1-1): These teams meet for the first time since 2014 when Kenton Ridge won 55-12. Calvin Dibert, of the Cougars, leads the CBC in receiving yards (201).
Mechanicsburg (2-0) at Catholic Central (0-2): Mechanicsburg outscored Catholic Central and Urbana 76-15 in the first two weeks. The Irish's losing streak reached 16 games with losses to Upper Scioto Valley and Arcanum in the first two weeks.
West Liberty-Salem (2-0) at Southeastern (0-2): The Tigers beat Graham and Benjamin Logan by a combined score of 95-0 in the first two weeks.
About the Author
