Athlete spotlight: North DeSoto’s Kenny Thomas

STONEWALL, LA (KTAL/KMSS) — Winning a state championship is the goal of all high school football programs and athletes. One of those athletes eyeing that goal is North DeSoto running back Kenny Thomas. Last week, he made history becoming the schools all-time leading rusher, something his younger self would be proud of.

“He would think I’m the dude because I used to look up to all those running backs that came through here Aubrey Scott, Delmonte Hall, and me having more yards than them, he would be like pretty good,” Thomas stated.

With 4,181 yards and counting, Thomas has set the standard for future running backs.

“It just means that we kind of setting the standard for more running backs to try and beat it because that’s the whole point of breaking records, so that they can get broke in the future and it’s good knowing that right now I have it and it’s just a humbling experience knowing I’ll be able to set the standard so they can push to try to break it in the future,” he said.

When his time as a Griffin is over, “KT5”, as they call him, will continue his football career at Louisiana Tech.

“The coaches showed a lot of interest in me. They said they wanted to get me in real early, so I’m graduating early, and they’re always keeping in contact with me. That relationship is real close and I could tell they value me as more than a player but as a grown man,” Thomas said.

None of this would be possible without the support of his family and coaches.

“They have always supported me on every decision and they always give me guidance on what to do. They helped me with like gaining weight and things of that nature and then just after the games, we watch the games and they always let me know what I did good and what I did bad and can work on,” Thomas said.

“Kenny’s just been dynamic, tremendous, and not just on the field but a great leader off the field. He comes from a great family, great home, and the best is yet to come for Kenny Thomas. We’re just glad he’s on our team, I’m glad I don’t have to defend him and try to stop him,” head coach Dennis Dunn said.

Thomas wants to leave a legacy that drives others to be the best they can.

“I wanna let every running back know that come through North DeSoto that it’s not a one man show. It might get hard at sometimes but it’s all about you and your O-line, trusting your big boys because without them you’re nothing, even after you score a touchdown. Nothing will be a one-man show, always keep faith in God because he’s the reason you’re doing it in the first place,” Thomas said.

Thomas and the Griffins defeated Bossier last night 56-3 to complete their first undefeated regular season in school history.

Next up, playoffs.