MRH Sophomore Wins Nickname in First District Win

ST. LOUIS — A nickname was born at Saturday’s football game. Sophomore Karon Thomas became “Instant Oatmeal” because anytime he touched the ball,  it was an instant touchdown for MRH.

MRH played Carnahan at Roosevelt on Saturday in the Blue Devils' first of three district games, and came out the winners 48-8. Of those seven touchdowns, Thomas contributed to get the ball over the line on three.

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“Nine times out of 10 when he gets the ball he’s going to make something happen,” MRH coach Brandon Gregory said. “Whether it’s on defense, offense or special teams, he’s one of our emerging play-makers. He’s just one of those kids that no matter where he’s at, he’s going to spark the team.”

Thomas connected with a Kahlid Hagens pass for a 30-yard touchdown play in the first quarter. Then minutes into the second quarter, he intercepted a Carnahan pass and took it all the way for a defensive touchdown. Later in the second quarter, Thomas scooped up a fumble and scored for his third touchdown of the game. The score was 34-8 after Thomas’ final touchdown and the 2-point conversion.

Thomas finished with two interceptions and a fumble recovery, in addition to his three touchdowns.

“I had my mind set on what we had to do and I just went out there and did it,” Thomas said. “Played my hardest.”

MRH scored on each of the Blue Devils' first two possessions, making it 14-0, but then Carnahan found a chink in the Devil’s armor. Starting from the MRH 39-yard line, the Cougars ran the ball six times, then finished with a 14-yard pass play to make it 14-8.

Gregory was glad the Blue Devils were exposed to that running attack early.

“They coach and make adjustments just like we do, so they must have found a weakness in our defense and attacked it,” Gregory said. “We responded by doing what we had to do.”

Junior quarterback Kahlid Hagens ran for two touchdowns. He completed 11 passes in 16 tries for 207 yards with no interceptions. Senior Kashon Hagens had four pass receptions totaling 107 yards, amounting to his season best. One of those was a 41-yard touchdown play.

Junior Wes Williams was responsible for the last touchdown in the first half, a 4-yard run, set up six plays earlier by a Thomas fumble recovery. The second half went quickly, with a running clock.

“They’re a strong team," Carnahan coach Lee Scott said. "They’re a good group. A lot of class and character at Maplewood."

MRH plays Northwest at home on Friday, after three road games in a row. It’s the Devils' second district game, last regular season home game and senior night.

Carnahan will take on Lift for Life next week.