Local players named all-state
Logan Thimons is not one to be stopped.
Few could slow down Freeport's 6-foot-2, 220-pound senior defensive tackle on the football field.
Now he's getting a head start on his collegiate career.
Thimons, who racked up 161 tackles and 33 stops for a loss this season for the Yellowjackets and was named to the PIAA Class AA all-state team Tuesday, will head to West Virginia University next month to start classes and participate with the Mountaineers' offseason football program.
Thimons graduated early from Freeport High School.
“The big benefit of that is I'll get a head start with the team and be in the weight room working with the trainers six months early,” Thimons said. “I'll get to lift and get to know the plays. On top of that, academically, the benefit is I'll get some credits and I'll be able to get a start on my (master's degree) while I still have football eligibility left.”
Thimons wasn't the only local player to make the Class AA all-state team.
Moniteau quarterback and linebacker Derek Boben was selected as an athlete.
Boben, who was named the District 9 Class AA offensive player of the year last month, passed for 1,227 yards, rushed for 936 yards, and recorded 161 tackles on defense for the Warriors.
“It's a heck of an honor,” said Moniteau football coach Wade Vogan. “It shows all the hard work he put in as an underclassman paid off. He can see the rewards at the end.”Boben will play baseball at Slippery Rock University.For Thimons, who committed to WVU during his sophomore year at Freeport, this season was also a payoff for hard work.The Yellowjackets won just five games during Thimons' sophomore and junior seasons, but went 10-2 this season, including wins in the last regular season and final playoff game at Swartz Field.Freeport's season was ended in the WPIAL quarterfinals with a loss to Aliquippa.“As much as I would have liked to have played at Heinz Field during my senior season, we accomplished a lot,” Thimons said. “We got our butts kicked during our sophomore and junior seasons, but those years really brought us together. We enjoyed going out this year and proving everyone wrong.”Thimons will play linebacker at WVU — a position where he feels most comfortable.“I'm going to play middle or outside linebacker,” Thimons said. “The only time I'll have a hand on the ground is if I rush the passer off the edge. I love playing defensive line, but linebacker feels so much more natural to me. I felt completely comfortable there at camps.”Thimons is excited to get into the weight room at WVU.He said the sophistication in the strength and speed training there is mind-boggling.“It's incredible to see,” Thimons said. “The more I'm down there the more I realize who serious the strength training is. They have GPS trackers in the shoulder pads to measure speed and hit power. I haven't gotten in pads yet, but I'm looking forward to it.”
