The namesake of this awarded being none other than former NYCHSFL President and legendary Chaminade Head Coach, Joseph Thomas,”; during his 40 years of service to the Flyers; the Philadelphia born gentleman brought a new level of toughness to the Metro football scene!!
And “toughness” and “guts” are exactly the traits one needs in order to prosper as an Offensive and/or Defensive lineman!!
As the old adage proclaims, “This game is won and lost in the trenches”; and thanks to the selfless and unrelentless courage displayed by these three “unsung heroes”, their respective schools relished in sweet victory considerably more often than they tasted bitter defeat (27-11 combined record) en route to all advancing to Championship weekend!!
One of our selections a true “Ironman” who refused to come off the field; the other two serving as dominant Left Tackles who paved the way for explosive offensives that each averaged 26.5 and 34.8 points per appearance; the only thing bigger than their physical measurements (average of 270 pounds) would be the heart and determination they poured as the foundations and/or heartbeats of their squads!
Our newest inductions join a fraternity that during yesteryear has welcomed the likes of Alex Fletcher (2023; St. Anthony’s; was an All-Conference Lineman at Stanford), Scott Vallone (2006; St. Anthony’s; four-year starter/All-Big East selection at Rutgers; Multiple stints with NFL teams), & Caraun Reid (2008; Mount St. Michael; Played collegiately at Princeton; NFL stints with multiple teams); not to mention more recent recipients— Ajani Cornelius (2019; Stepinac; currently an NFL Draft prospect playing for #1 Oregon); Henry Tabansi (2022; Moore Catholic; playing collegiately at Buffalo), and Tedi Kushi (2023; Moore Catholic; starting OL at Western Michigan)…
It is with prestige and glory that we extend our congratulations to Thomas Regan (Xaverian; AA-II), Logan Kielty (St. Peter’s; AA-I), & Rowan Byrne (Iona Prep; AAA) on carrying on this decorated legacy!!
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Regan: An “Energizer Bunny” type of player, the 240-pound senior out of Queens was so instrumental in everything that the 2024 Double-A-2 Champion Clippers were attempting to do in all facets of the game; that he even acted as the team’s punter (buried quite a few of those boots inside the opposing 20) during the ‘24 season….A three-year starting LT for Xaverian, with Regan controlling the end of the line, the offense was able to amass 2, 842 yards and 31 touchdowns…His equal effectiveness in both the run blocking and pass protection elements of the game was priceless in enabling the school to boast two of the top-3 overall rushers in the division (#1 Richie Aiken & #3 Terrence Watson with combined sums of 1,017 yards and 17 touchdowns), as well as the second-rated passer (Watson 1,035 yards and 8 TD tosses)…Under his leadership, the offense averaged just under 30ppg (29.4) against fellow AA-2 opponents this fall (22.5 in all games)…Turning his attention to “D”, the true student-athlete (GPA of 94) was a major factor in why Xaverian was able to limit their Double-A-2 foes to a mere 10 points per game, as he’d collect 20 total stops (14 solo), 3 sacks, 3 pass deflections/break-ups, a forced fumble, and even a punt block…In the Clippers’ 14-6 victory over top-seeded Holy Cross, he’d be responsible for one of the key sequences of the game; as in a then scoreless affair, he’d get his mitt on a pass attempt that resulted in an INT inside of his own 9-yard line). He later tacked on a 2nd half combo sack to derail another Knight drive!!!…The crown claimed by Head Coach, Kevin Fountaine’s charges was the school’s first since 2015!!…Just the second Clipper to receive the “Thomas”, Regan joins 2015 winner, Michael Marinelli!
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Kielty: The linchpin and/or “bell cow” for an Eagle Offensive Line that helped their school generate 4,117 yards and 44 touchdowns (including AA-1 bests of 2,739 and 33 on the ground); it is no fluke that the record-breaking career of Jeremiah Williams (2x NYCHSFL Offensive Player of the Year; 2023 3rd Team All-State) and the storied tenure of Marco Aruta (2023 HM All-State) coincided with the presence of the behemoth left tackle in the #55 jersey…The duo finishing 1st and 3rd in total rushing yards in both 2023 and 2024, with their master blocker doing the dirty work, they chewed up 5,068 yards and found paydirt on 61 separate occasions on the ground in the past two seasons (2,665 and 32 in ‘24 alone)…The seasoned OT’s knack for throwing his weight around and keeping his QBs upright paid dividends in the form of a developed aerial strike that witnessed Aruta and Ryan Valley unite to hurl for 1,378 yards and 11 additional TDs…Kielty’s selection now gives STP their third “Thomas” honoree, as he takes his place in the annals next to Matt Van Manen and Anthony Casillo, who took home the trophy in 2009 and 2019!
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Byrne: The strongest of the strong off of a loaded Gael Offensive Line; the national 3-star prospect committed to Clemson left no doubt as to why pundits regarded him as the #1 overall OL in the Empire State among the class of 2025…Standing 6’5 and tipping the scales at a jacked 305; even before the ball is snapped, you cannot help but take notice of the Bronxville resident…However, it is the stellar dominance he illustrated that make it impossible to look away from #52….Named 1st-Team All-State as a junior and well on his way to repeating the bullet point; Byrne set such an impeccable example for his fellow linemates that with him as an anchor, the New Rochelle based program exceeded all of their numbers from a season ago, jumping from 2,217 yards (15 touchdowns) in the air in ‘23 to 2,299 (20 TDs) in ‘24; while smashing their land gains by nearly 650 yards (2,099 in ‘23 to 2,741 this past season) and six scores (30 last fall to 36 in ‘24)….He is the breed of teammate that truly elevates everyone around him; and will bring that same title-seeking tenacity with him to the Tigers !…The definition of a “Big-moment” player, his blocking facilitated the Gaels to a tally of 938 yards and 14 touchdowns rushing in three playoff games as they hoisted both League and CHSAA State hardware for the first time since 2021!!!….The third IP representative to win the “Thomas” since 2018; he now has a place at the proverbial dinner table alongside Anthony Bonavita (2018) and 2021 honoree, Scott Becker!