Don’t Look Down on Coastal’s 5’9 Center
by Charlie Krausse October 20, 2020
Every week the national broadcasters make reference to Coastal Carolina’s undersized offensive line and state how much of a potential mismatch their opponent’s defense line could have. And every week, by the end of the game, they give the props to the Chanticleers same offensive of line. To better see this example, look no further than their 5’9 starting center, Sammy Thompson. A redshirt senior from Spartanburg, SC, Sammy is not viewed as the typical Division-1 center.
“Growing up my entire life, being a 5’9 center, I had to have a chip on my shoulder to prove everyone wrong,” stated Thompson. “A lot of the coaches I played for, always referred to having a dog in me.”
This doubt placed throughout the national circles, like preview magazines and game day announcers has given Thompson and the Chanticleers entire offensive line extra motivation to prove themselves, weekly.
Coastal Carolina’s offense is ranked sixth in the nation in Time of Possession. Look no further than their offensive line as to the starting reason why they are having so much success this season controlling the ball.
Graduating in spring 2020 as a Business Management major, Thompson kept accelerating through his finish line. In fall of 2019, he had earned Dean’s List for the semester. Then not to be outdone, his final semester in his undergraduate coursework, Thompson earned President’s List (4.0 GPA or greater).
Assisting with the offensive captain, Trey Carter, Thompson has been giving duties of helping call the blocking assignments. Which, for him normally entails blocking the big nose tackle for the entire game. “Those guys are usually much bigger than me, 6 foot, 350 pounds,” added Thompson. “We (Carter and Thompson) have to get everyone in the right mindset.”
When a team has a huge time of possession margin, especially in today’s world of quick scoring offense in college football; that does not necessarily relate to scoring or points. In Coastal Carolina’s case, that is exactly what it means. Through four games this season, the Chanticleers are averaging over 40 points a game, ranking them currently as 11th in the nation in scoring.
“We’ve got to put everyone on our back and do our thing,” wittingly put Thompson. “This week we are taking huge pride that every time we step on the field, we want to put points on the board.” And possession is part of the game plan specifically against the Chanticleer’s opponent, Georgia Southern. The Eagles are ranked second in Time of Possession in the Sun Belt Conference.
Season to date, the Chanticleers are averaging over 430 yards of offense per game. Not too shabby for a group with low national exposure, expectations and a starting center who stands at 5’9.
“Growing up my entire life, being a 5’9 center, I had to have a chip on my shoulder to prove everyone wrong,” stated Thompson. “A lot of the coaches I played for, always referred to having a dog in me.”
This doubt placed throughout the national circles, like preview magazines and game day announcers has given Thompson and the Chanticleers entire offensive line extra motivation to prove themselves, weekly.
Coastal Carolina’s offense is ranked sixth in the nation in Time of Possession. Look no further than their offensive line as to the starting reason why they are having so much success this season controlling the ball.
Graduating in spring 2020 as a Business Management major, Thompson kept accelerating through his finish line. In fall of 2019, he had earned Dean’s List for the semester. Then not to be outdone, his final semester in his undergraduate coursework, Thompson earned President’s List (4.0 GPA or greater).
Assisting with the offensive captain, Trey Carter, Thompson has been giving duties of helping call the blocking assignments. Which, for him normally entails blocking the big nose tackle for the entire game. “Those guys are usually much bigger than me, 6 foot, 350 pounds,” added Thompson. “We (Carter and Thompson) have to get everyone in the right mindset.”
When a team has a huge time of possession margin, especially in today’s world of quick scoring offense in college football; that does not necessarily relate to scoring or points. In Coastal Carolina’s case, that is exactly what it means. Through four games this season, the Chanticleers are averaging over 40 points a game, ranking them currently as 11th in the nation in scoring.
“We’ve got to put everyone on our back and do our thing,” wittingly put Thompson. “This week we are taking huge pride that every time we step on the field, we want to put points on the board.” And possession is part of the game plan specifically against the Chanticleer’s opponent, Georgia Southern. The Eagles are ranked second in Time of Possession in the Sun Belt Conference.
Season to date, the Chanticleers are averaging over 430 yards of offense per game. Not too shabby for a group with low national exposure, expectations and a starting center who stands at 5’9.
picture courtesy of Coastal Carolina Athletics