Wesley Thomas '21 (88) is a freshman football player for Christ School
Thomas Family Lives Both Sides of Rivalry
Greenies sophomore goes up against father's alma mater
John Thomas never put on a helmet and pads for the Asheville School-Christ School game, but he has lived the oldest high school football rivalry in the Carolinas from multiple angles.
Thomas graduated from Asheville School in 1994. His son, Wesley '21, is a freshman linebacker and tight end for the Greenies (8-1). Are the Thomas family's allegiances aligned for Saturday's 1:30 p.m. kickoff at Asheville School (4-5)?
Definitely.
"I never played football. Basketball was more my game," John said. "I guess when you become a parent, all that rivalry stuff is over with. When you become a parent, that's who you root for. So I root for Christ School now. Sure, I will still tease him every now and then. And he gives it right back to me."
How so?
Wesley, who is a boarding student in Young House, needed a pair of gym shorts last year. As a prank, John dug out an old pair of shorts from his days at Asheville School and placed them in Wesley's laundry basket. And when Wesley needed a tie on one occasion? He got the same treatment, unsuspectedly, again. Wesley said he was able to avoid wearing the blue garment in both instances.
As an underclassman, Wesley has been splitting time between the Christ School JV and varsity football teams, which means he could be called upon twice this week. Wednesday's JV game between the Greenies and Asheville School begins at 5 p.m. on Fayssoux Field. The game will be live-streamed by the Christ School Broadcast Network.
Since this is Wesley's second experience with Asheville School Week, he knows what to expect.
"The campus really changes," Wesley said. "I love the activities and all the fun things we get to do. You can tell everyone is just waiting for that Saturday to happen. Everything is a buildup to that."
John has similar memories from the opposite side of the rivalry.
"I remember the t-shirts, the bonfire the night before, and painting the driveway into the school," he said. "We would decorate a faculty member's house. The schools are so different now. But some things haven't changed."
