As he waits to make college choice, Carlsbad football standout Colton Thomas relishes one final high school game – elcajon newson Elcajon News only

When he steps into his father’s office, Colton Thomas looks at framed newspaper stories hanging on the wall, articles about his father, who played safety at Fresno State.

As for himself, Colton first played flag football at 4 or 5.

“Football,” he said, “has been a part of my life since I was born.”

Thomas moved on to Carlsbad High School, where he was named an All-Avocado League selection as a defensive end this season. Punishing quarterbacks was his specialty: Thomas compiled 11 sacks and was the strongest player in the Lancers’ program. Thomas can bench press 350 pounds and squat 475.

A senior, Thomas will play college football. Just where is uncertain. Arizona, Oregon State and San Jose State have shown interest, but are waiting to see how the transfer portal shakes out before offering a scholarship.

In the meantime, Thomas has one more high school football game to play. He’ll represent the North squad in Saturday’s 34th annual Alex Spanos All-Star Classic. Kickoff is at noon at Mira Mesa High School.

The game is the longest-running all-star football showcase in California.

“It’s a great opportunity for me to showcase my talent,” Thomas said. “It gives me another chance to play a high school game. I’ll never get that back.”

Thomas was a three-way player at Carlsbad. He ignited the defense at end, was a punishing blocker at tight end and was the Lancers’ deep snapper.

“He loves football,” said Carlsbad head coach Thadd MacNeal. “He lives and breathes it, for sure.”

Westview head coach Mitch Donnelly is the North team’s coach for Saturday’s game. In the short time the team has practiced, Thomas has made an impression on Donnelly.

“He has a good motor. He loves contact,” said the Westview coach. “It seems like he’s a student of the game. He asks the right questions, understands the importance of technique. He plays with a lot of energy and loves the physicality of the game.”

Donnelly has answered more than one or two texts from Thomas leading up to Saturday’s game.

“Football stuff,” said Donnelly. “He’s connected. You can tell he’s totally involved in it.”

Thomas finished his senior season with 54 tackles, second-most on Carlsbad’s team. That’s unusually high for a defensive end; players at the position typically line up on one side, can have plays run away from them and can be double-teamed. His 11 sacks topped the Lancers. Thomas also racked up 16 tackles-for-loss, second on the team.

His main responsibility on offense was to block for the running game. He caught seven passes for 55 yards. He was particularly adept near the goal line, catching four touchdown passes.

Sitting in his car early one morning this week, waiting for his first class to start, Thomas said: “The end zone’s fun.”

“He’s very serious, very driven,” said MacNeal. “As far as respect from teammates, he was a unanimous team captain. He led our offseason workouts. He’s a great kid, fun to coach.”

Thomas is a football tweener. At 6-1, 250, he’s not quite as tall as college coaches like for edge rushes and not quite heavy enough to play tackle. He was moved around the line at Carlsbad as the Lancers looked for mismatches.

“If he had more length, he’d be a national recruit,” said MacNeal.

Not yet receiving a college scholarship offer motivates Thomas.

“I see all these other kids who are 6-3, 6-4 getting offers, and they don’t have as good of explosion or are as strong or fast as I am,” said Thomas. “I guess that’s what pushed me to be such a hard worker.”

Here’s how Thomas spent much of his summer preparing for his senior season. Up at 5:30 a.m. At the gym by 6 a.m. for 90 minutes of weightlifting. Off to school for speed work. Then, two days a week, driving to Los Angeles to participate in the Giant Skills Academy, which emphasizes 5-on-5 lineman skills, the skill position version of 7-on-7.

The Giant Skills Academy traveled to Hawaii, Georgia and Miami for skills competitions.

All that work proves a statement that MacNeal made about Thomas and how the senior looks at his future and football.

Said MacNeal: “He just wants to play.”