Franklinton High School’s Grant Thomas

Franklinton senior Grant Thomas is a two-sport athlete, competing in football and golf. Thomas is a linebacker for the Demons on the gridiron and this year will be his second-year as a starter. In golf, Thomas was part of the third team in the school’s history to qualify for the state tournament and finish in the top 10 in the state. The Demons finished eighth in the state for Division II. Prior to that, the Demons were fourth in regionals and second in the district tournament.
“Grant’s one of our senior leaders,” Franklinton football coach Jonathan Barber said. “He’s a great program kid. Worked extremely hard. He had a devastating injury a couple of years ago and we talk to our kids a lot of times about facing adversity and overcoming things like that and he’s done a tremendous job of that for us to the point now to where the younger kids kind of look up to him as being one of the leaders of our team. When he was going to start a couple of years ago, he had the injury and then he didn’t get the opportunity, and then last year, he kind of worked himself back, and now he’s kind of playing a high level again and his teammates really respect that and they kind of look up to him for advice. He does a great job for us defensively as far as getting us aligned and getting us in the spots we need to be in, doing what we’re supposed to do.”
In 2016, Thomas broke the tibia and the fibula, the two main bones in the leg, during the scrimmage that year. The injury required surgery and forced Thomas to miss the entire 2016 season. He returned to the field last year and played in every game.

What do you enjoy most about playing your sports? Why?
I was raised up in sports. It’s always been a big part of my life and I just enjoy it. It’s fun, man.

What do you like best about being a student athlete?
Getting out of school sometimes and it’s fun.

Who has been the most influential person in your school sports career? Why?
My grandfather (Stephen Warren). He’s been with me the whole time I’ve been playing football. He coached me for a little bit, not really like as a head coach, but he helped me out. He’s just always supported me.

Who is your favorite athlete? Why?
(Denver Broncos linebacker) Vonn Miller. He’s a beast. He comes off that edge. It’s crazy. That’s who I look up to.

Favorite team?
New Orleans Saints

Best thing about living on the Washington Parish?
It’s got to be the overall atmosphere. It’s a welcoming place. Everyone’s nice and it’s just a good place to live.