Wide receiver Chico Thomas was a wanted man.
He still is, although whether that’s a positive or a negative depends on one’s perspective. Naperville North had trouble corralling Thomas when he played for Bolingbrook last year, eking out a 51-49 win on a last-second field goal. The Huskies figured they’d like Thomas to join them.
“We knew he was a great receiver,” Naperville North junior defensive lineman Donavan Howard said. “He said he didn’t like where he was at, so we told him to come home, and we made it happen.”
Thomas and Plainfield East transfer Quinn Morris were key additions to the Huskies’ already deep receiving corps. They’ve given senior quarterback Jacob Bell, a Ball State commit, two more talented targets.
“Everybody welcomed me with open arms as soon as I walked in,” Thomas said. “I automatically felt a part of the team. I had chemistry with Jacob over the summer, just being able to come out and throw every day.
“That really showed today, especially with all the receivers. We all just help each other out.”
Thomas was referring to the Huskies’ 42-0 Southwest Valley Blue Conference victory against Neuqua Valley last week. He caught eight passes for 86 yards in that game, giving him a team-leading 39 receptions, good for 449 yards and four touchdowns.
Only Morris, a senior who has 36 catches for 583 yards and 10 touchdowns, has more receiving yards or touchdowns on the team.
“It’s absolutely awesome,” Bell said. “Our receiver room is so versatile as it is. (Thomas) can play kind of a Deebo Samuel role. He can run the ball. He can catch it. He’s a great blocker, so he’s one of our more versatile guys.
“We’re super excited to have him. He can do everything.”
That’s not an overstatement. Thomas had been bugging Naperville North coach Sean Drendel to let him try running the ball. Drendel finally did in the fourth quarter of the game against Neuqua Valley with the Huskies (5-2, 2-1) leading 35-0. Thomas took a handoff and raced 39 yards up the middle.
“We’ve been looking at the running back stuff for a couple weeks now,” Thomas said. “Coach just didn’t believe in me, but coach was like, ‘Let’s see it today.’
“I showed them what we had.”
Don’t expect Thomas to get many more carries. He fell on his wrist at the end of his run and was icing it after the game, although he said that was just precautionary.
The 6-foot-3, 216-pound Thomas is a matchup nightmare no matter where he plays.
“He’s a really big guy,” Howard said. “We were actually looking to put him at tight end and other places, but we ultimately decided to keep him at his natural spot at receiver.
“He has great hands for his size, and he can move. A lot of people don’t think he can move. But he was catching big balls against us last year, so we brought him here, and we knew we were in for a special treat.”
Facing Thomas isn’t much of a treat for opposing defenders, who have trouble not only contesting catches against him but also bringing him down. He relishes contact and has the ability to race around defenders or plow them over.
“I love the physical aspect of it,” Thomas said. “I love catching the ball and then being able to show them that you can’t tackle me. I love being able to snatch the ball at the end and showing them you can’t mess with me.”
Thomas would play the starring receiver role on most teams, but at Naperville North he’s part of an ensemble cast that includes Morris, senior wide receiver Brock Pettaway, senior wide receiver Nick Manzardo, senior wide receiver Charlie Shinkle and senior tight end Garrett Kristle.
“Having that many weapons is awesome,” Bell said. “We always have fresh legs. We’ve just got a bunch of guys who just play the right role and do things the right way.”
That includes Thomas, who enjoys being a part of a prolific offense.
“We all are good at everything, pretty much,” Thomas said. “So it’s great, especially helping Jacob out and making it easy on him.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
