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Independence's Ryan Thompson isn't the largest offensive lineman around. But he could be the most versatile, and effective.
Since landing on the varsity team as a freshman, Thompson, 6 feet and 225 pounds, has played center, guard, tackle, tight end and defensive line.
"He's a natural athlete," offensive line coach Hal Brown said. "He could play any position really. Could be a linebacker, or a fullback."
Instead, Thompson, a senior left guard, clears paths for others. Independence (10-0) averages 44.3 points, and their lowest score has been 31.
On most plays, Thompson locks up with bigger defenders. It's been that way a long time, and Thompson often makes a key block.
"It's because of weightlifting and technique," Thompson said. "I use speed and leverage."
Thompson didn't say much as a freshman, when he played alongside brother Erik (now a center at UNC Pembroke). The more experience Thompson gained, the more his leadership skills developed.
He'll step up to explain something to a linemate, and he's a leader in the huddle and locker room.
"He's a lot like (former Patriot) Chris Leak," Brown said. "He doesn't say much, but he's the first one out there, and when he does say something, the others pay attention."
Sometimes, Patriots linemen run "binkys" as punishment drills for penalties or missed assignments. Thompson, without suggestion from coaches, goes over to run alongside the teammate, whether it's 100 yards or 1,000.
"It's just about the offensive line being a unit," he said. "All five of us run together a lot of times."
Thompson's mates are left tackle Patrick Stewart, center Benjamin Mallouky, right guard Anthony Navarro, right tackle Jordan Martin and tight end Anthony Hicks.
The Patriots will host rival Butler (9-0) at 7:30 p.m. Friday in a match of Southwestern 4A teams that are nationally ranked. The winner will be conference champion and a top seed in the playoffs next week.
"We're treating this like our Super Bowl," Thompson said. "We're putting our heart and soul into this game."
Thompson said he doesn't have any college offers, but interest from Georgia Tech and Army. More should follow.
"I've got a good group of kids," Brown said. "They're extremely intelligent. Ryan comes to play, and never complains. We're not big or speed demons. But they're good, and Ryan's the cog in that machine."
