Picking up his role as a punt returner as a freshman, Brother Rice senior Damari Thigpen learned a quick lesson.
Don’t overanalyze. Just get the ball, follow your blockers and take off.
Helping host Brother Rice to a dominant 49-7 victory over St. Charles North on Oct. 31 in a Class 7A first-round game, Thigpen had a 75-yard punt return touchdown and also added a sack defensively.
“You learn, ‘Don’t think too much,’” Thigpen said. “When you think too much, you mess up, so just get the ball and go.”
Brother Rice (8-2) will host Batavia (8-2) at 4 p.m. Nov. 7 in the second round.
Freshman Sam Holcomb was 14-for-17 passing for 168 yards with three touchdowns, and also rushed for a score. He connected with seniors Jahon Edwards and Jameson Davis and junior Jack McNamara for a TD each.
Sophomore Aydan Yarbrough added a rushing touchdown. Senior Anthony Cartolano scored a rushing touchdown on a fake punt in the fourth.
Thigpen is one of three returning starters off last year’s Class 7A state championship squad along with senior Brayden Parks and junior Kameron McGee. He is a team captain.
Brother Rice led 28-0 in the second quarter when the defense forced a St. Charles North punt. Thigpen dropped the ball initially but scooped it up in rhythm off the bounce and hit the left side.
He went untouched for the score, his second punt return TD of the season. Rice eventually led 42-0 at halftime.
“I had good blocks up front,” Thigpen said. “I had to avoid the punter for the last one. You can’t get caught by the punter. Punt returns, it’s something I’ve always had playing special teams.”
Thipen had a sack on the first possession of the game, blitzing off the line and helping set the tone right away.
With so many new faces, Thigpen said he loves how the Brother Rice defense has come along this season.
“It’s just staying focused and definitely being locked in watching film,” Thigpen said. “Then you know what to expect when you get out here. The younger guys have been great. Whether you play a lot or don’t, they’re working hard.”
Senior linebacker Manny Uriarte didn’t play much as a junior.
Now, he’s moved from safety to linebacker and been a key performer defensively. He had a sack and tackle for loss against St. Charles North.
“I’m trying to stay level-headed. This is what I wanted all year,” Uriarte said. “It was working through the offseason. Switching positions was really big, so it was learning and adapting.”
Parks (pass breakup, sack) and fellow seniors Jonathan Harris (pass breakup) and Marius Adenso (sack) and juniors Nathan Elsea (sack) and McGee (sack) all chipped in defensively.