Washington’s Troy Thompson selected as SOSA’s Horizon Athlete of the Month

Derrick Webb, Staff Writer

Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.

WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE — Elite.

That’s what Troy Thompson has been all year long, and his Blue Lions have followed his lead.

Washington’s senior quarterback has made a habit of roasting defenses while posting gaudy numbers on a week-to-week basis. 

The Blue Lions are 6-1 overall — the team’s best seven-game start since 2010— and Thompson has led the cavalry.

“The key is that everyone does their part,” Thompson said. “All summer long, our goal was to be the best team Washington Court House has ever had. We use that as motivation every day. This offense is a quarterback’s dream. At all times, we have threats all over the field. It makes my job ten times easier.”

While his job may look “easy,” Thompson is downright making the throws necessary to win games. 

Through seven contests, he’s completing 66 percent of his pass attempts — 104-of-157 — and has thrown for 1,938 yards with a 21-10 touchdown-interception ratio. He’s also rushed for four additional scores.

Because of that stat line and his team’s amount of success, he’s been selected as SOSA’s second Horizon Athlete of the Month.

“I feel like my greatest strength is the ability to make the right read and get the ball out quick,” Thompson said. “The offensive line has done a great job allowing me to have time. I’ve been sacked zero times this year.”

Washington started the year with a 35-6 win over Bexley before the team’s lone loss, a 54-40 decision at the hands of Western Brown. Since that loss, the Blue Lions have ripped off five straight wins — all coming in September — while outscoring their opponents by a 221-21 margin.

The offense has put up points quickly while the defense has also been spectacular, pitching four shutouts in the past five weeks.

“My expectations haven’t changed from day one,” Thompson said. “Our goal has been to win the FAC title and go make a push for [the state title]. This group of guys is the most fun and exciting team I’ve ever been a part of. I think we’ll be really special this year.”

So far, the team has navigated through a schedule that’s featured seven opponents with a combined record of 25-23. 

But in the next two weeks, Washington will travel to both Chillicothe and Jackson — by far, the roughest stretch of the season’s slate.

“It’s simple. We just have to come ready to work every day,” Thompson said. “We believe we are the best team in the FAC and now is our time to show it.”

In September alone, Thompson was 82-of-121 passing for 1,342 yards alongside 16 touchdowns. As the season has progressed, he’s only gotten better.

But the work is far from over.

In 2021, the Blue Lions were 4-6 and ended the year with a 48-13 playoff loss to Archbishop McNicholas. Thompson is hoping to ride the team’s current wave of momentum deeper into the postseason, avenge last season’s playoff loss and lather the icing on the cake.

“It feels like a dream. I think every quarterback in the country wishes that they have the guys we have,” Thompson said. “We believe we are one of the best units in the state. We have always believed in ourselves and that this year was going to be special. You could tell from the first day of summer practice that the energy was different. I feel like that’s shown.”

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