Brothers chasing state title for Palo Verde football

By Christopher Drexel

Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008 | 5:07 p.m.

Even though they're just one year apart, brothers Chaz Thomas and Chappell Thomas had never played on the same football team before.

That's because Chaz Thomas, the leading rusher for Palo Verde, was always the bigger brother — literally. At 215 pounds, he outweighs his brother by almost 60 pounds, even though they both stand 5 feet, 10 inches.

Having a wide frame combined speed that has been measured at 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash has served Chaz Thomas well — he's rushed for 1,125 yards and 12 touchdowns for the 9-0 Panthers.

But Chaz Thomas' size regularly had him competing on teams above his age group in youth football, thus never allowing him a chance to play with little brother.

Now, with Chaz Thomas a senior and Chappell Thomas a junior playing varsity for the first time, the brothers are finally suited up for the same team and chasing a state title together.

"It's pretty cool him being on the same team so he can feel the same thing I feel if we win it this year," Chaz Thomas said. "We can both say, 'I won state with my brother.' But even if we end up somehow not doing it, I can still say I finally played a year with him."

The feeling has been mutual for Chappell Thomas, who describes the relationship with his older brother as very close.

"There are a couple guys on this team that have brothers on the JV team and they wish they could play with them," Chappell Thomas said. "I'm the only one who has a brother on varsity, so I'm happy to be here, trying to win a state championship with him.

"He's the perfect brother. He's protective — nobody ever messes with me in school. He's caring. He teaches me a lot. He does everything."

Chappell Thomas' football career has taken a more traditional route than his older brother's. He played junior varsity as a sophomore and is now a backup wing back and backup cornerback on varsity behind seniors Torin Harris and Sidney Hodge, both of which are expected to play college football.

But his role is expected to increase greatly next season.

"Chappell is more of late bloomer," Palo Verde coach Darwin Rost said. "He was an average junior varsity kid, but he's made leaps and bounds this year, and I think a lot of it is due to working out with Chaz. I think any other team in town, Chappell would be starting both ways for them. It's just in his positions, we're senior loaded."

With their size difference, the brothers share little in their playing styles as Chaz is more of a power back with speed while Chappell is regarded as more of a slasher.

"I try to avoid the contact because I'm more elusive, but he really doesn't care about contact," Chappell Thomas said. "He's elusive too but he's so powerful I wouldn't want to get in his way. People like to compare me to him and everyone talks about how good Chaz is, but they're going to be talking about me next year."

By contrast Chaz Thomas has been a fixture on varsity since his sophomore campaign, starting at defensive end and fullback. As a junior in 2007, he moved to his current wing back position and led the Panthers with 1,053 yards and 18 touchdowns.

This season, he has improved his yards per carry to 9.96, up from 6.75 a year ago, while also subbing in at linebacker and defensive end when needed.

He has been contacted by Washington, Utah, San Diego State and Southern Utah.

"I think because he has a thick body people don't think he's that quick but he is," Rost said. "The bottom half of his body is real thick and that's what college coaches want in a strong running back."

Chaz Thomas says the brothers will cherish their one season together for years to come.

"Because you know you have somebody looking up to you, that makes a person try harder," he said. "You know the harder you try and better you do, the harder they will try and the better they'll usually do, too."

Christopher Drexel can be reached at 990-8929 or [email protected].