Published: June 19, 2009 03:36 pm      

UT's Thomas come home to aid Football Camp

WEST ORANGE — He may sport burnt orange these days and has picked up Freshman All-American honors but Earl Thomas will always be a Mustang first.

Thomas and a handful of his Texas Longhorns teammates were instructing at the Dan R. Hooks Football Camp at West Orange-Stark High School Friday and having a blast.

“I was blessed so much when I was growing up, having a community that had my back in everything I wanted to accomplish,” said Thomas. “I always want to be someone that can come back to the community and give back to it.”

Thomas was concentrating on the receivers and defensive backs Friday morning, something he definitely specialized on during his high school days.

“The turnout out here is great,” said Thomas. “These kids have so much spirit and energy. They sit back and listen and soak it all in.”

Thomas, along with Longhorn teammates Greg Timmons, Gary Matthews and James Kirkendoll were on hand to help the kids.

“We’re all loving it, being here,” said Thomas. “We’re all still kids at heart. We remember looking up to some of our favorite players growing up. It’s humble, when you think about it.”

Thomas, as a redshirt freshman last season, was named to the Football Writers Association of America, College Football News and Sporting News Freshman All-American teams.

Thomas, The Orange Leader’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2007, was the 20th Longhorn to earn Freshman All-America honors during the Mack Brown era and the third member of the secondary along with defensive back Michael Huff (2002) and safety Dakarai Pearson (2000).

An honorable mention All-Big 12 selection, Thomas started all 13 games in 2008 and finished second on the team in tackles with 72, 51 of them solo.

He set a Texas freshman record with 17 pass breakups and tied for fourth on UT's freshman list with two interceptions, which both came in Texas’ victory over Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry.

Thomas also tied for the team lead with four forced fumbles to go along with three tackles for losses and a blocked punt. Thomas notched at least five tackles in nine of UT's 13 games, including a 10-tackle performance at Texas Tech and a nine-tackle game versus Oklahoma State. He also produced at least two pass breakups in eight games.

Thomas capped his freshman season by posting a team-high nine tackles and two pass breakups. in Texas' Fiesta Bowl victory over Ohio State.

Camp Director Erick Guillory couldn’t have been happier with the turnout.

“It’s been great, we have 86 kids altogether,” said Guillory. “They’re all having a blast out here. It’s great to see Earl and his Texas teammates come out and support the young ones. It’s our best camp yet.”

All of the proceeds of the camp is going to the football and track boosters in helping get scholarships set up for WO-S athletes.

The following camps are also available at Orange County schools throughout the summer:

LC-M Football Camp

LITTLE CYPRESS — The Little Cypress-Mauriceville Battlin’ Bear Football Camp will be held at LC-M High School July 14-16.

The cost is $25 per camper and each camper will receive a camp T-shirt.

There will be two sessions. The first one will last each day from 8 a.m.-9:30 a.m. for fourth through sixth graders while the second session will last from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. for incoming seventh through ninth graders.

Participants can register the day of the camp and checks can be made payable to Bear Football Camp.

For more information, call 886-0204.



BC Football Camps

BRIDGE CITY — Bridge City will be hosting two football camps this summer at the high school practice field.

The ninth grade football camp will be July 27-30 will be from 8 a.m.-10 a.m.

The seventh and eighth grade camp will be held Aug. 17-Aug. 20 from 8 a.m.-10 a.m.



LC-M V-Ball

The 2009 Lady Bear Volleyball camp will be held July 13 -17. The incoming 5th, 6th and 7th graders will be from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. The incoming 8th and 9th graders will be from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. The cost is $50.

More information can be found at lcmcisd.org. Just visit the athletic's page and go to volleyball and then volleyball camp for more information. You may also call 745-3102.



BC Volleyball Camp

BRIDGE CITY – The Bridge City Volleyball Camp will be held July 20-23 at the Bridge City High School Gym.

Incoming fourth through sixth graders will participate from 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. each day while incoming seventh through ninth graders will go from 12:30 p.m.-3 p.m.

Participants will learn fundamental and basic skills competition, both individual and team.

The cost is $30 and that includes a camp T-shirt. Make checks payable to Bridge City Volleyball Camp.

For more information call 735-1547.