CARROLL – Fresh off reaching the Division III state championship game a year ago, Bloom-Carroll coach Jeremy McKinney knew he was losing some talented seniors who just oozed leadership qualities.
Heading into this season, McKinney and his coaching staff knew they had a talented group returning to keep things headed in the right direction, but they also knew, someone had to step up when it came to leadership. They weren’t sure where and who it would come from.
Ethan Thanthanavong, who was the starting quarterback as a sophom*ore on last year’s state runner-up team wasn’t asked to do too much for the Bulldogs a year ago, and some went as far as saying he was a game-manager type of player.
However, knowing he would be counted on more this season, Thanthanavong was ready for the challenge. In the offseason, he took ownership of the team, and his teammates quickly followed. It became obvious to the coaching staff. They had found their leader.
“We knew (Ethan) had it in him, and it was just a matter of when was he going to ascend and take that next step,” McKinney said. “Honestly, back in July, the coaching staff realized it is happening. He took ownership of the offense. We weren’t sure who the captain of the ship was going to be.
“Last year, we didn’t ask him to be a leader, and heading into this season, we wondered where the leadership would come from, but he stepped into that role without batting an eye. You could just see the level of trust grow as time went on. When things are tough and aren’t going well, he has shown so much poise, and that rubs off on the whole team. Our guys trust him. He is everything you want from your quarterback. He is the clear leader of our team.”
Thanthanavong has had a tremendous season, helping lead the Bulldogs to a share of the Mid-State League-Buckeye Division championship and a pair of playoff wins. He completed 108 of 180 passes for 1,825 yards, 23 touchdowns and only two interceptions, as well as rushing for four more scores.
For his efforts, Thanthanavong is the 2023 Eagle-Gazette Co-Offensive Player of the Year. He shares the honor with Lancaster senior running back Cole Dickerson.
“Winning this award It means a lot, and it just means so much because it shows all my hard work and all those days of lifting and throwing paid off,” Thanthanavong said.
The improvement he made this season as a passer has been undeniable. His ability to read defenses, his accuracy, and his innate ability to extend plays are uncanny. He has a swagger about him, but he isn’t co*cky. He is almost like a quiet assassin.
“This year, I wanted to be able to take over games when I needed to and be there for my team and do whatever I have to do to win games,” Thanthanavong said.
He helped lead the Bulldogs to a Division III, Region 11 semifinal, and even though Bloom-Carroll jumped out to a 10-0 lead, it fell short, falling 20-10 to end the season with a 10-3 overall record. Thanthanavong is 24-5 as a starter the last two seasons and 7-2 in playoff games during the span.
His ability to not panic is one of his biggest attributes, and that was on full display in a second-round playoff win on the road against Jackson.
Trailing the Ironmen 10-7 with just three minutes remaining and starting at their own 12-yard line, Thanthanavong spearheaded a game-winning drive. With 1:40 remaining and facing a fourth-and-7 from the 24-yard line, McKinney didn’t think twice. He was going for it because he was confident in his offense and felt like Thanthanavong would make a play, and he did, in spectacular fashion.
With the game and season on the line, Thanthanavong delivered a 24-yard touchdown pass to Carter Cornelius, who wasn’t the primary target, as the Bulldogs escaped with a heart-stopping 14-10 victory.
On the touchdown pass, Thanthanavong had to avoid a heavy rush, stepped up in the pocket, and threw a perfect pass to Cornelius just over the outstretched arm of a Jackson defender. During the game-winning drive, he completed 5 of 7 passes for 81 yards.
“I wanted to be more of a leader this year and when you are the quarterback, you need to be the leader of your team,” Thanthanavong said. “When things get tough, I know my guys are counting on me to make a play. I knew I had to step up and find a way in that situation. That’s what leaders do. They always find a way for their team.”
Tom Wilson is a sportsreporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at740-689-5150or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on Twitter @twil2323.
