LIKE OLD TIMES
Newcastle’s Thompson accounts for 7 TDs in rout
NEWCASTLE — Casey Thompson held the small white football and put the black sharpie to use as he scribbled his name and old No. 11.
Two young Newcastle kids anxiously awaited their autograph and then a picture with Newcastle’s star quarterback. Thompson, sporting a white headband and his Racers’ No. 10 jersey, laughed and obliged every kid, even those who just wanted to say hello.
There was no boasting. Just a smile as the Newcastle scoreboard displayed the Racers’ first win of the season, a 55-21 romp of Chickasha on Friday night.
Months after Thompson moved from Southmoore in a heavily scrutinized transfer, he felt like his old self in the win that put
Newcastle at 1-4 overall and 1-1 in District 4A-1.
He threw pin-point passes. He created plays with his legs. He broke tackles. He scored.
“It felt like old times,” Thompson said. “It was a packed-out crowd, University of Texas was here, my family and friends were all here to support. It just felt right from the jump. “
“I just felt like we came out in rhythm. I could tell it was going to be a high-scoring game. I give all of the credit to my teammates and coaches because we had a good week of practice and all of our preparation paid off.”
In front of his future quarterbacks coach, Texas offensive coordinator Tim Beck, Thompson put on a show few in Class 4A can contain.
He accounted for seven touchdowns and more than 400 total yards in just three quarters of action. He passed for 342 yards and four touchdowns. He rushed for 98 yards and three more TDs.
“Just seems like Casey,” Newcastle coach Jeff Brickman said. “It’s what he does. I’ve been with him for so long I get used to watching him.”
Thompson was unstoppable in the first half. He accounted for five touchdowns. On the second play of the game, he threw a perfect 67-yard pass to receiver Jacob Morris, another move-in from Southmoore. The two friends connected twice for TDs, and Morris finished with 10 receptions for 233 yards.
Thompson also threw a TD pass to his younger brother, Cade, and one to Kyndell Rogers.
“We were able to finally put everything together,” Morris said. “We’ve been frustrated because we know we’ve been right there. It’s things we can correct, like we did tonight and get a win.”
Thompson and others could easily have shown frustration through the first four games. Many outside of the community south of Oklahoma City expected the Racers to start better, even with a tough non-district slate against Noble, Tuttle and Blanchard.
Thompson instead focused on the positives. That led to Friday’s vintage performance and a few smiles afterward.
“I wasn’t expecting the start of the season to be how it was,” Thompson said. “You also have to look at your team and yourself in the mirror and say how can you get better? Each week I feel like I’ve gotten better at something. I think that’s what you have to do in football and in life.”