Steward, Thomas have Washington's train rolling

Gio Thomas knows he's opened himself up for some ribbing. It's not common when a high school player who logs minutes as a freshman voluntarily leaves a state's big school football state champion.

Thomas, a sophomore quarterback at Washington (Washington Courthouse) High School, is not ordinary.

"Everyone will look at me and think I'm crazy for leaving (Pickerington Central) for a small Division IV school," Thomas said. "But, I think it's the right move for me and my future. Not just as a football player, but for my academic career and overall. It was the right choice."

Fayette County has farmed ample high school football legends, including quarterback Art Schlichter who prepped at Washington archrival Miami Trace High. Schlichter played for Ohio State and in the NFL. He's an area immortal.

Thomas' career is in its infancy but shows plenty of potential.

"Explosive," Washington head coach Chuck Williamson said. "The first day he was out here that was the word that described him. We knew the first day he was going to be a special guy."

Pickerington Central, currently ranked No. 16 nationally in the MaxPreps Excellent 25, won the school's first Division I state football title last year with a 56-28 win over Mentor. In that game then-sophomore quarterback Demeatric Crenshaw set a state finals record with six rushing touchdowns. Thomas carried the ball once for seven yards.

During the offseason, the family explored relocation. Courthouse seemed logical.

"Jon Jon Thomas is a legend here," Williamson, a Grove City native, said of Gio's dad. "He played a couple years after I did (in high school), but I've known of him through the years. Everyone here knows who Jon Jon Thomas is."

Jon Jon Thomas played quarterback for Washington and still holds some of the school's individual records. After graduating in 1981, he played at the University of Cincinnati for three years before finishing at Wilmington College.

Gio would like to write a similar script.

"My dad threw out some options, including his hometown," Gio said. "I said ‘Lets try it.' They looked good on paper with their returning roster and we decided as a family it would be great to come to Courthouse. It feels like home."

Thomas arrived mid-two-a-days. He's eligible for the entire season.

His appearance not only changed the Blue Lions outlook, but also the line-up. Senior quarterback-to-be Dillon Steward, who accounted for 31 touchdowns as last year's starter, was moved to slot. Steward didn't flinch.

"There were no hard feelings," Steward said. "My primary position is slot and I wanted to do what was best for the team and my future."

A Washington legacy player himself, Steward moved to Courthouse prior to his sophomore season from national powerhouse Chandler (Ariz.) High. Steward's father Bryan graduated from Washington a few years after Jon Jon Thomas. He was a fullback for the Blue Lions.

"My dad and Gio's dad grew up together," Steward said. "They were childhood friends and have known each other a long time. Gio and I have known each other for a few years. We're like brothers."

The two – and their teammates – are also winners.

The on-field results have been impressive and immediate.

In a season-opening win over Blanchester, Thomas completed 20-of-33 passes for 402 yards and six touchdowns. That performance earned him the MaxPreps Ohio High School Athlete of the Week award. Steward accounted for five touchdowns (two rushing, two receiving and one defensive).

In a 68-6 Week 2 win over Circleville, Thomas completed 11-of-12 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns and ran six times for 85 yards and two touchdowns. Steward had 242 all-purpose yards and again scored five touchdowns (kickoff return, punt return, two receiving and one rushing).

Both were done at halftime.

Through two games, Thomas ranks first in Ohio in passing touchdowns (nine) and second in passing yards (637) according to the MaxPreps state leaderboards. He's tossed zero interceptions.

"That's his most impressive stat," Williamson said. "He understands progressions at a young age and knows where to put it. He's way ahead of the game."

Steward ranks first in Ohio and 24th nationally in scoring (62 points). His 31 points per game scoring average in football dwarfs the 19.6 he posted last year in basketball.

"Dillon is so quick on the field," Thomas said. "He can make someone miss in a heartbeat."

Steward is receiving recruiting interest from Illinois, Purdue, Ohio, Ball State, Miami (Ohio) and Toledo. Thomas attended the Ohio-Hampton opener last week.

"They're first class guys," Williamson said. "We're glad to have them in our program."

Washington hasn't made the playoffs since 2010, but expectations and enthusiasm have been heightened.

"I just want to win the next one," Thomas said. "We want to improve every practice and every rep and get better every time we go out."

Said Steward: "The goal is 10-0."

Washington takes the next step today with its toughest test to date – a game at undefeated London.

The Red Raiders beat the Blue Lions 51-47 in a shootout last year and posses a great running back of their own in senior KJ Price (seven touchdowns in two games).

London has outscored opponents 102-7. 

"If I was fan…" Williamson said. "I would pay the ticket price to come watch these guys perform."