ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Steven Thomas

School: Scott City

Sport: Football

Coach: Terry Flannigan

This season: Thomas, a 5-foot-10, 210-pound senior inside linebacker and three-year starter, leads Scott City in tackles with 37 first hits and 20 assists. His partner at inside linebacker, Jeremy Mouser, is second on the team in tackles. He also has made three tackles for losses, one quarterback pressure and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown against East Prairie.

Week report: In the Rams' 41-0 win over Chaffee on Friday, Thomas had nine tackles, including six first hits, three assists and two tackles for losses. Scott City held Chaffee to negative-10 yards in the game.

Coach's comments: "He has a good nose for the football. Even if he gets out of position, he finds a way to get to the football. And he never makes an excuse; never blames something on anybody else. He's always one of the six or eight guys I have to chase out of the weightroom at the end of the day.