When Thomas Brown takes the sphere on Thanksgiving morning he’ll construct on the legacy of a soccer household drenched in historical past.
A sophomore lineman, Brown is the most recent from a storied soccer household who haven’t solely starred for Chelmsford however are entrenched within the Chelmsford-Billerica Thanksgiving rivalry that has existed since 1927.
He may have an opportunity on Thursday to cement himself in program lore as an integral member of a Chelmsford staff itching to seize the Merrimack Valley Conference Small crown for the primary time in 11 years.
“I am really excited to be part of this thing,” Thomas stated. “I am proud that I can be a part of it all now.”
Thomas emerged shortly as a freshman because it was clear his power, footwork, and physicality would make him an elite lineman. He was accepted by his senior teammates however his actual burst on the scene got here throughout his freshman winter when he received wrestling championships within the Div. 1 North Sectional, Div. 1 State, and All-State finals.
“Football is the main reason I wrestle,” Thomas stated. “It helps with my hands, footwork, and conditioning. Hand-fighting in wrestling is pretty much the same thing as offensive line.”
It is simple to see how Thomas grew to become enamored with the sport of soccer. Everywhere Thomas turns is a member of the family who has been on the heart of one in every of Massachusetts’ most traditional rivalries. Bob Brown Sr., Thomas’ grandfather, was a star captain for Billerica and led the Indians to a Thanksgiving Day win over Chelmsford in 1958.
Thomas’ father, Bob Brown Jr. was one of many premier lineman to come back via Massachusetts within the final half-century. In the late Seventies he starred for Chelmsford and was a part of the 1978 Lions staff that made the Super Bowl. He additionally helped lead the Lions to a Thanksgiving win over Billerica his senior 12 months. His school profession at Pittsburgh was full of unimaginable alternatives. He blocked for one of the vital storied quarterbacks in soccer historical past in Dan Marino whereas enjoying within the Sugar, Cotton, and Fiesta Bowls.
“It’s so fun to relive those days,” Brown Jr. stated. “It was such a great time in my life.”
Nowadays Brown Jr. patrols the sidelines as an assistant coach on George Peterson’s workers at Chelmsford. It’s a supply of power and delight as he seems to be to recreate these highly effective highschool moments he sees Thomas having fun with.
“Despite all those great college moments, I don’t think I ever had the same experience as a high school football game, especially the Chelmsford-Billerica rivalry,” Brown Jr. stated. “It is more of a job in college. This is just all about football and you will never get that experience again.”
Thomas for his half is fast to level out how his dad isn’t shy to share the occasional tip whether or not it’s in a automobile trip dwelling or in a family-run movie session. At six-foot-four, 260 kilos, he is aware of he largely has a bodily benefit over every of his opponents. It’s all about hammering dwelling the approach.
“Every Saturday after a Friday night game we sit down on a couch and watch film for two hours,” Thomas stated smiling. “He yells at me with technique tips. It’s awesome having a dad who knows all the aspects and knows what he is talking about.”
Thomas’ school consideration has already skyrocketed as he has obtained curiosity from a lot of Power 5 faculties together with his father’s alma mater. All that’s on Thomas’ thoughts, nevertheless, is learn how to attain bragging rights come Thanksgiving dinner. Thomas’ father and uncle by no means misplaced to Billerica. His older brother, Bob Brown III, was a member of the final Chelmsford staff to beat Billerica for the league title in 2005. His different brother, Willy Brown, downed Billerica in 2007 en path to a Super Bowl.
“He has wanted to one up them at the Thanksgiving table,” Brown Jr. stated. “Neither of them have their name on the wall for wrestling like Thomas.”
Now he’s hoping to match them on the soccer discipline.
“They have won more Billerica games so there is no real argument for me right now,” Thomas stated. “Hopefully that changes.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com