Division II-A: St. Francis’ Thomas a big-play threat
St. Francis does not pass that often. But when it does, Darius Thomas is usually the one making the big play.
The three-sport standout helped lead St. Francis into the Division II-A state championship game Saturday against Citrus Hill of Perris with three catches last week, all for touchdowns.
After Thomas caught scoring passes of 42, 33 and 29 yards in a 29-7 win Saturday over Pleasant Valley-Chico, quarterback Kamalii Akina called his top target the best wide receiver in the West Catholic Athletic League.
“He has a 6-2 frame, 180 pounds, high jumps 7 feet, has the best hands in the league, not much more you can ask for as a quarterback to throw to,” Akina added this week.
When Akina, the son of Stanford defensive backs coach Duane Akina, transferred to St. Francis before last season, he went to watch the Lancers in a 7-on-7 passing tournament. Thomas stood out.
“He’s kind of a goofy looking kid,” Akina said, laughing. “But he’s turned out to be one of the best kids I’ve played with. He’s doing big things, and he’ll be doing big things in basketball and track as well.”
In track and field last spring, Thomas cleared 7 feet in the high jump to win the WCAL championship and went on to win the Central Coast Section title. On the basketball court, he helped St. Francis win the WCAL title last season and qualify for the state Open Division playoffs. He will join the basketball team as soon as football season ends.
But for now, Thomas’ sights are on trying to bring St. Francis its first state football title. “I am very excited,” he said. “Not many people get this opportunity. I love it.”
Thomas has 25 receptions for 618 yards and nine TDs this season, an average of 24.7 yards per catch. He said he uses his high jump skills to make big plays. “I’m a jumper,” he said. “I just go up and get the ball at the highest point possible.”
That is what he did Saturday, out-jumping the defense to make catches and get into the end zone.
Coach Greg Calcagno marveled about Thomas’ team-first attitude.
“Point guard on a very good basketball team and a receiver who has to block to stay on the field,” Calcagno said. “You’ve seen what he has done the last couple of weeks. He’s a leader of our guys. When you get one or two chances a game, you’ve got to take advantage of them. We hope he has the same type of week again — one more week.”