OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — St. Thomas Aquinas running back Tank Young is no stranger to success on the football field.
As a sophomore, Young led the Saints to a Kansas 5A State Championship. As a junior, he finished second in the voting for the Simone Award, which goes to the best football player in the Kansas City metro area.
But just getting on a football field this fall was a big obstacle for Young.
"We didn't even know if we were going to have a season," Young said, referencing COVID-19 concerns putting many high school football seasons in jeopardy. "So to actually get to play is the most exciting thing ever."
After missing the first week, Aquinas returned to the field in Week 2 with a win over St. James. Then came the Saints game against rival Bishop Miege. Aquinas held on for a 41-35 win on the back of Young, who ran for 232 yards and four touchdowns on the night.
That's nothing new for Young. The oddity was the Saints ended up rushing for 399 yards and passing for 0 yards. The Saints were 1-2 in the passing department for 0 yards.
"If I could run a quarterback sneak every time and win a state championship, I'd do it," Aquinas head coach Randy Dreiling said.
He's not joking. And Dreiling knows a thing or two about state championships. He's won eight of them.
"Our offensive line did a great job," Dreiling said. "In fact, I wanted to nominate an offensive lineman but you guys want the pretty boys."
Young is getting interest from a lot of D1 schools, but before that he has some goals for this year – win the Simone Award and go to State (again) and win.
And to stay on the field.
