Cam Thomas works to secure his place on long list of great Penn Hills defensive backs

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, October 8, 2023 | 11:01 AM

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Penn Hills defensive back Cam Thomas has two legacies he is trying to live up to. He wants to be another one of the next great defensive backs in school history. Thomas also wants to maintain the family tradition of excelling on defense as well.

When it comes to playing defensive back, Penn Hills’ tradition of success runs deep. Two of the 11 players the school has sent to the NFL, Barry Church and Tom Flynn, played defensive back. Jaden Dugger (Georgetown), Raion Strader (Miami Ohio) and Daequan Hardy (Penn State) are currently plying their trade at the position in college.

Thomas, who has an offer from Akron, would like to join that group next season.

“Of course,” Thomas said. “I feel that with every coming year, you see a new defensive back for Penn Hills going to the next level. I carry that with pride.”

Penn Hills coach Charles Morris, who played defensive back at Penn Hills and Edinboro, says many of the top Indians’ defensive backs have similar skill sets.

“It’s part of the history of the program and the community that we’re in,” Morris said. “The guys who have done well in the secondary have the mindset that they want to compete and be the best they can be. They are extremely hard workers, students of the game and desire to be better.”

D’Andre Cochran, Martel Palmer and Thomas have all played big roles in the secondary this season. What Morris has emphasized with that group is doing their homework.

Being prepared for how opponents will attack them is vital.

“For me, I’ve always been a student of the game,” Morris said. “I want them to watch film, study opponents and pick up on tendencies. We want to prepare the best we can for the opponents, know what routes they run and what concepts opponents run. We want them to react to those when they see them during games.”

Success at the position is something Thomas has had plenty of examples of. Cam’s dad, Corey, played strong safety at Woodland Hills. His brother, Corey Thomas Jr., plays at Akron while his sister plays defense in soccer.

“I feel as though my whole family is a team of defensive players,” Cam Thomas said.

Penn Hills’ defense is full of playmakers. The Indians (5-1, 2-0 Northeast Conference entering October) are only allowing opponents 12.5 points per game. Since losing to Moon, Penn Hills only allowed 21 points in wins over North Hills and Bethel Park. One of the touchdowns scored by the Black Hawks was on defense.

The Indians have received strong performances from Donovan Burnett and Kelsey Hundley up front while Naytel Mitchell has helped lead the linebacking core.

Cam Thomas emphasized that Penn Hills’ success on defense this year has been a trend up and down the roster.

“I feel like we all work well as a unit,” Thomas said. “As a whole defense, everyone does their job. If someone else makes a mistake, other people make up for it.”

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