Kentridge’s Dorian Thomas embracing new challenge this season – playing QB for the Chargers
When the Kentridge High School was in need of a starting quarterback this fall, coach Elijah Ruhl knew where to turn.
Throughout his football career with the Chargers, Dorian Thomas has been an impact player on both offense and defense.
His first three seasons playing varsity, the 6-foot-5, 230-pound senior was a contributor as both a pass catcher and a linebacker.
This season? He’s taken on the starting quarterback job for a Kentridge program that is off to a 3-0 start.
“He’s big, he throws the ball well,” Ruhl said. “So, to me, it was kind of the obvious choice to just put the ball in his hands.”
Thomas, who is projected as a tight end at the Division I level, was quick to embrace the new challenge.
“I was just talking to Coach Ruhl and he was like, ‘Are you ready to help this team and put this team on your back?’ I was like, ‘Yes, coach, I’ve got you,’” Thomas said.
“He was like, ‘I need you to play quarterback.’ I was like, ‘All right, I’ll do whatever to win.’ And now it’s just clicking with me.”
Though he has taken some snaps at the position previously, this is the first season Thomas has taken over the starting role.
“Obviously it’s not his natural position, it’s not what he’s going to be playing the next four or five years, or beyond that, but he’s just kind of taken ownership and studied and wanted to be the best quarterback he can be,” Ruhl said.
“His whole thing is he just wants to win here. … He keeps getting better every week, and I’m really pleased with his progress.”
Thomas was a Class 4A/3A North Puget Sound League Red Division first-team selection at wide receiver last fall, and a second-team pick at linebacker. He was also a second-team all-league pick at both positions as a sophomore during the shortened spring season.
In leading Kentridge to three early wins, he’s already shown he can be a game-changer wherever he lines up.
Playing both quarterback and primarily at strong safety on defense, Thomas has been key in Kentridge’s early wins over two 3A NPSL opponents in Auburn Mountainview and Kent-Meridian, and then in the Chargers’ win over Decatur in their 4A NPSL opener last week.
After helping Kentridge to a 14-0 shutout over the Lions back in Week 1, Thomas piled up 274 all-purpose yards and rushed for three touchdowns in a 41-7 rout of the Royals in Week 2.
Then, against a Decatur team that also entered the Week 3 matchup with two early wins, Thomas played a part in all six touchdowns the Chargers scored.
He threw touchdown passes of 60, 34 and 5 yards. He added a short rushing score. On defense, he found the end zone twice more on a pair of interception returns for touchdowns.
The Chargers eventually ran away with a 47-14 victory.
“Everyone started clicking,” Thomas said. “O-line was getting a great push up front. I was running it, throwing it, everything. And then the picks — just go get the ball.”
Through three games, he’s passed for 459 yards, rushed for 98, added nine tackles and 2-1/2 for losses on defense, as well as 134 yards on the two interception returns and 63 yards on a pair of punt returns.
Thomas has been tough for opponents to bring down and has done well managing Kentridge’s offense early on.
“He’s trying to really play quarterback, and then when things break down, he’s got the ability to take off with the football,” Ruhl said. “I think he’s made some good decisions. He hasn’t thrown interceptions. He’s been responsible with the football.
“That’s probably what I’ve been the most proud of is that he keeps finding things down the field and he’s looking to throw first, and then run when he needs to.”
As he continues to improve at the new position, Thomas has spoken with other quarterbacks around the area, as well as studied film on college and NFL passers.
“Just seeing what I can do to make myself better,” he said.
Thomas, an Oregon State commit, is considered a three-star recruit, the No. 9 player in Washington in the 2023 class by 247Sports.com and No. 13 by ESPN. He is considered the No. 24 tight end in the class nationally by 247Sports and No. 30 by ESPN.
Though he is headed for a Division I future likely playing elsewhere on offense, Thomas will look to continue to guide Kentridge to a winning season as their quarterback this fall.
The Chargers have already improved on a 1-8 finish last season, and continue their 4A NPSL schedule Friday night when they host Federal Way (2-1) at French Field.
“The team is loving it,” Thomas said of the early success this season. “But, like we always say, we’re not finished yet. We’ve got a big game this week against one of the top teams in Washington, and we’ve got to show that we’re not the same team as last year.
“Everyone’s been doubting us, saying we’re not this, we’re not that, Kentridge is going to go 1-9. We’ve already proved them wrong going 3-0 from the jump. So, now we just want to keep winning.”
