AHSAA PLAYOFFS: Thomas becomes a force for St. James

St. James’ Bradley Thomas makes a tackle on ACA’s Corey Landers in a regular season game. (Tim Gayle)

By TIM GAYLE

Before the season ever started, St. James coach Jimmy Perry had high praise for Bradley Thomas.

Perry wasn’t sure what to expect from Thomas when he went out for football prior to the 2020 season. He had coached Thomas’ dad Curt, a lineman, at Robert E. Lee and knew Thomas from his contributions as a basketball player, but was pleasantly surprised when the younger Thomas returned for voluntary workouts in the summer prior to the 2021 season. 

“He’s worked as hard at it as any young man I’ve seen in 43 years,” Perry said in early August. “When we get to school, he’s out here running routes, he’s out here working on footwork. He’s worked hard in the weight room and has gotten his strength level up. He’s going to be a great, great contributor for us this year.”

Thomas admits a switch went on between his junior and senior seasons, triggering a passion and love for the game of football that he hadn’t felt before.

“When I was in middle school, I played some but I stopped in the sixth grade,” he said. “I quit for about three years. At first, I loved basketball more than football. I came back to make that my passion as well.

“I think, personally, it just came with me being older, being stronger, more into the game. I’ve always been a basketball player but I came out here last year and had a good time. I have a year of experience under my belt and became smarter. I’ve progressed, in my opinion.

As a receiver, he’s been a big-play threat that hasn’t been utilized much in the last month of the season. Thomas still maintains an average of 20.3 yards per catch, hauling in 15 passes for 305 yards and three touchdowns this season. 

Defensively, he’s a bigger force, anchoring the Trojan secondary and providing valuable run-support defense.

“He’s been phenomenal,” Perry said. “He plays in the secondary and has great range. He’s got great hands, we throw to him a lot. He’s a weapon. Somebody is going to sign him and get a diamond in the rough.”

Thomas admits the defensive aspects of playing safety probably required less work because that’s the position he played in middle school. 

“When I was younger, that was all I played,” he said. “I’ve been getting the feel of that again. There’s a lot I had to learn throughout spring training, right after basketball season ended.”

Playing receiver, which requires blocking for teammates on running plays and getting in sync with quarterback K.J. Jackson on passing routes, required additional work.

“It’s most definitely a pride thing and a passion thing,” Thomas said. “And I love the game. My love has grown since I was little. I have a great time out here and it makes me want to be better for my brothers.”

Last year, the Trojans struggled through a 7-4 season that included a first-round playoff loss to Montevallo. This year, a more mature team has higher expectations. Anniston will be one of the toughest first-round opponents the Trojans have played in years, but a win would give St. James its fourth 10-win season in the last six years (after experiencing just one in school history previously).

“It was definitely disappointing,” Thomas said of the 2020 season. “Then again, we look back on it and we were very low on depth, we were young, we were underdeveloped. This year, I feel like everyone has moved up. Everyone feels more confident. There’s definitely a different vibe. Everyone is more bought-in.”  

That includes Thomas, who went from learning a position in 2020 to emerging as one of the team’s leaders in 2021.

“I don’t know what it was, but I’m sure glad it happened,” Perry said. “He has been a joy to watch develop and it’s through hard work. He wants to get better every day.”

AHSAA PLAYOFFS (involving River Region teams)

FIRST-ROUND GAMES

CLASS 7A

Prattville (7-3) at Theodore (9-1)

CLASS 6A

G.W. Carver (7-3) at Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (8-2)

Wetumpka (5-5) at Saraland (8-2)

McAdory (7-3) at Robert E. Lee (7-2)

CLASS 5A

Marbury (4-6) at UMS-Wright (9-1)

Tallassee (7-2) at Greenville (7-3)

Holtville (5-5) at Pike Road (9-0)

CLASS 4A

Alabama Christian (7-3) at Jacksonville (6-3)

Anniston (5-4) at St. James (9-1)

CLASS 3A

Flomaton (6-3) at Montgomery Academy (7-3)

Wicksburg (7-3) at Trinity Presbyterian (8-2) 

Houston Academy (6-4) at Catholic (10-0)

CLASS 1A

Billingsley (4-6) at Sweet Water (9-0)