by John Goolsby
Christian Thomas may not be the tallest or the biggest player on the field, but there is a very good chance that he is going to be one of the most talented. Thomas’ mother, Sheunna Thomas, says Christian has a saying, “People say I’m too small, but I’m going to show them how great I can be.”
Not being the biggest is nothing new to Thomas. He started playing football when he was three or four years of age. “He was the youngest and smallest because he was playing against older kids in 6U pee wee ball for the West End Panthers,” says his father, Michael Thomas. “He was always the scorer, though.”
The muscular, 5-foot-6, 160-pound wide receiver plays much bigger than his size. Thomas is an athletic and versatile player that continues to be the scorer all these years later. “At any given time, he can make a highlight reel, rather it’s on offense, special teams, or defense,” says Shades Valley offensive coordinator Baniko Harley. “C.T. is one of those players that just makes coaching a little less stressful.”
Thomas showcased all his hard work over the offseason in the spring game. Against Springville, he came up with a diving, highlight-worthy, over-the-shoulder catch for a touchdown. He then did his best David Palmer impersonation by escaping eight tacklers on a 50-yard run after a short catch for a score.
Thomas, who runs a 4.4 forty-yard dash, is a handful for opposing defenses. “He’s so quick coming off the line,” says Mountie cornerback Ken Odom. “That makes him so hard to defend.”
Thomas carried the momentum from the spring into the seven-on-seven seasons this summer and came up with big play after big play for the Mounties.
Thomas attended football camps at Troy, Middle Tennesse, and Austin Peay this summer. He currently has interest from UCF, Austin Peay, Shorter, and Faulkner. Thomas doesn’t know what position he will be playing at the next level. “I just want to try to dominate,” he says.
Off the field, Thomas is a fun-loving, dancing, wing-loving jokester that helps the homeless in his spare time. “I just want to be remembered as the cool guy, the respectful guy, the funny guy, but most importantly, the one and only number 6,” said Thomas.
Prior to kickoff, “The Ghost,” as Thomas is known, breaks out his special pregame gear. “He’s got a mask from the movie Scream that he wears before every game to get himself going,” said Harley. “That seems about right because he’s scary good.”
Thomas has set some lofty goals for himself and his teammates this season. “I want to score 15 to 20 touchdowns, get over 1,000 all-purpose yards, and help my team win state,” Thomas says.
Thomas is off to a fast start in accomplishing those goals. In the Mountie’s opener against Stanhope Elmore, he caught seven passes for 114 yards and had the game-winning touchdown.
There is no doubt that “the Ghost’s” primary goal is to leave opposing defenses screaming at the end of the 2022 season. “The sky is beyond the limit for him,” said Harley.
The RED & BLACK 