Junior defensive back Damari Thigpen, who is also on the track team, understands what he brings to the table for Brother Rice in football. And it goes beyond speed and pure adrenaline.
It’s the physicality of the sport.
“I love hitting people,” Thigpen said. “Violence — that’s the best part.”
Thigpen was at his best for the biggest part of the season Saturday night.
He had a long kickoff return and a long punt return in the third quarter, setting up the Crusaders for two easy touchdowns in a 45-17 win over Downers Grove North in a Class 7A state semifinal.
In the first quarter, Thigpen also grabbed an interception for Brother Rice (12-1), which had three players rush for more than 100 yards in advancing to Saturday’s 4 p.m. state championship game.
Senior quarterback CJ Gray ran for 132 yards and four TDs, while junior running back Jameson Davis added 140 yards and a TD and senior running back Jaylin Green had 117 yards and a TD.
“Right before the game, CJ said, ‘Let’s get 100 yards each,’” Davis said. “That was the plan. We attacked. We finished runs, and that’s what we were taught to do.”
The Crusaders dominated with a 225-49 yardage advantage in the first half but turned the ball over three times and led just 17-10 lead. They were in need of a big play to start the third quarter.
Thigpen not only had a 58-yard kickoff return to open the second half, but the next time he touched the ball, he raced 43 yards on a punt return. Both led to TDs for a 30-10 lead.
“Thigpen, man, that’s my guy,” Davis said. “He’s super fast. Super fast. He’s a great dude on and off the field, but he’s an excellent football player.
“You want to talk about an athlete? That’s an athlete. If you need him to play, he will go out and play with heart and dedication. He has one of the biggest drives on this football team. You can’t take that away from him.”
Gray, for one, appreciated getting the ball in great field position twice.
“He brought the juice and made the big plays,” Gray said of Thigpen. “He needed to get up in the position to score and that’s what he did.”
Gray also credited his offensive line and called them “savages” for allowing the trio to each run for more than 100 yards.
Thigpen, meanwhile, enjoyed his two breakout returns.
“My job is to get the offense in the best position to win the game,” he said. “We needed to put points on the board. We needed field position and I gave it to them. The scoreboard showed it.
“I’ve had a few runs like that, but these were the biggest.”
Downers Grove North (10-3) was led by Minnesota recruit Owen Lansu, who threw for 230 yards and a TD. Jacob Vroman returned an interception 70 yards for a TD in the first quarter.
Brother Rice prevailed by virtue of a strong second half, however, and will face St. Rita (9-4) in an all-Catholic League state final at Hancock Stadium in Normal.
It’s the fourth time Brother Rice’s program has been in the championship game. The Crusaders won the Class 6A title in 1981, finished second in 6A in 1985 and second again in 8A in 2018.
“It seems like a century since we won a state title,” Thigpen said.
On Sept. 12, Thigpen and his teammates earned a 28-18 victory over St. Rita, but the Mustangs were missing senior quarterback Steven Armbruster.
“I haven’t been able to take it all in yet,” Thigpen said. “Just getting there is great, though. We’re going to play them again and it should be a good game.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.