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Sequim transfer turns out for Monarchs football practice

Tuesday, August 26, 2008 2:23 PM PDT

By Ben Zimmerman

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For a few days, it appeared that the most accomplished varsity quarterback in Cowlitz County would not play football his senior year.

But Nic Thacker could not resist the siren call of the gridiron when he saw his Mark Morris classmates on the practice field. The 6-foot-4, 187-pound Sequim transfer turned out for football on Friday, three days into Monarchs camp.

“When I saw them out there,” Thacker said, “it was tough to stay away.”

Thacker’s family moved to Longview from Sequim this summer, and Thacker initially planned on skipping football to focus on basketball, where he believes he has the most college potential.

“When I moved here, it was kind of overwhelming in terms of all the things that were available to me,” said Thacker, who quarterbacked Sequim to Olympic 2A League championships as a sophomore and junior. “I was doing a lot of basketball and I didn’t know how much free time I’d have.”

But Thacker found room for football, and said it was easier to do so because he was not hounded to turn out.

“Coach (Shawn) Perkins is a great guy. What I respected about him was that he did not pressure me or give me a deadline,” Thacker said. “He let me figure it out on my own.”

Thacker is ranked by Rivals.com as one of the state’s top 15 quarterbacks in the Class of 2009. He will compete with Monarch juniors Scott Kirkpatrick and Jeremy Wolf for the starting job at Mark Morris.

Despite his impressive varsity portfolio and Division I build, Thacker is approaching the quarterback competition with the utmost humility.

“It has to be a clean slate, especially because I’m learning a new offense,” he said. “I’m coming in with the mindset of a JV guy trying to work his way up. I need to earn my place here.”

“Nothing will be given to him, and he respects that,” Perkins added. “He has to earn his stripes. And right now, (the quarterback spot) is all up for grabs.”

Friday’s practice was devoted exclusively to defense, and Thacker worked out with the MM safeties. Thacker said, with a self-deprecating grin, that he has “floundered around on defense” during his prep career, playing a little defensive end, and inside and outside linebacker.

“Kind of a renaissance man,” he joked.

On Saturday, Thacker took some snaps at quarterback. He “looked a little rusty,” Perkins said, but showed good leadership and command of the huddle.

“He has all the intangibles,” added Perkins. “He is a big, strong kid and has great authority on the field. He certainly helps give us more competition at several positions, and you always want that.”

Thacker, who is equal parts outdoorsman and gym rat and loves fishing with his father, Matt, said he has been welcomed warmly by his new teammates.

“The guys have been very accommodating, not stand-offish at all,” he said. “It’s a good environment and makes me glad to be here, with these guys.”

Related article:

Four athletes transferring to Mark Morris  (Aug. 6)

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kelsokelso wrote on Aug 26, 2008 6:42 AM:

" when Thacker gets the starting QB job, we will hear people howling for a good long while. I mean, Kirkpatrick has earned that postion. He has put in "his time." If my kid got displaced like that I would not be none too happy. SO, as you can see, the Bakamus recruiting era is now replacing the kids who have lived here their whole life and have earned those positions. I feel for kids like Scotty. But, who knows maybe he will beat the new kid out. Scotty has run the wing-t for quite a few years and the new kid never has. MM really needs to look at the Bakamus recruiting, it's putting a sour taste in alot of the kids and parents who were born and raised in Longview. too bad he can't win with his own kids like all the other schools in Cowlitz County does. "

who am I? wrote on Aug 26, 2008 8:23 AM:

" oh, but there is no recruiting. He says so! silly you for thinking that. "

bulldog42 wrote on Aug 26, 2008 10:20 AM:

" So if MM was recruiting why hasn't the WIAA stepped in and punished the program. Parents want whats best for their kids and will move where ever they have to ensure that happens. Mark Morris has had a outstanding basketball program for many years. Kids want to play where they are going to get exposure to college programs, because MM is year and year out one of the best teams in the state. People forget that Backamus applied to RA Long first and wasn't choosen for the job. Why would Thacker want to play for a football team that has horrible history of losing. Only in recent years have they built up some type of consistency on the field. MM alum 1985 "

JackBear wrote on Aug 26, 2008 10:25 AM:

" I don't know how you can blame this on coach Bakamus?The Thacker kid did not only come to Mark Morris to play basketball.It isn't like he wants to put Kirkpatrick out of his job though, he came to Mark Morris to become a better athlete and isn't going to sit at home just so he doesn't hurt peoples feelings.In my opinion he will be 2nd on the depth chart until he can prove himself a better QB then Scott in thw Wing T.Obviously Thacker must have some talent to be ranked top 15 QB in the 2009 class.I might be mistaken but i thought Wolf was a sophmore. "

jr wrote on Aug 26, 2008 10:56 AM:

" KelsoKelso, I do not like the thoughts of high school players being recruited either and agree with winning with the players you develop and have been loyal, but in this case the only "howling" will be from the kids parents he beat out if he does. No ones should get a position because of putting in time or who they are or influence, it should be based on skill and how he can help the team, I heard from a parent of a player on the team that the kids are excited about the new player. As far as kids being replaced, it has gone on for years, sounds like you have a personal interest here, you seem to know a lot "

TheGenius wrote on Aug 26, 2008 11:09 AM:

" Well, it must be fall sports season, 'cause the whining has begun. Please, stop this nonsense about recruiting. This is the GSHL, not the SEC. I know it's hard to grasp that in the little cocoon known as Cowlitz County, but it's the truth. And if anyone wants to "blame" Bill Bakamus for MM having a quarterback controversy, I imagine they would be blame poverty, meth addiction, and teen pregnancy in Longview on him as well. Seriously, get a frickin' life, and get a frickin' clue. One last thought: since when did 6'4" 187 pounds become
D-1 size? He's got the height to be sure, but at 187 pounds, kid could use a cheesesteak or ten. Maybe Bakamus could take all that under-the-table money he makes on bringing in 5-star recruits and buy the kid some meals at Stuffy's. "

kelsokelso wrote on Aug 26, 2008 11:33 AM:

" Actually Jr I don't have a personal interest and no nothing more than what has been in paper. But I have a son who is close to Scotty's age and just don't think it's right for a kid who was born and raised here and for a newcomer might come in and take his job. That's why I hope Scotty can win the postion.If Scotty was your son, I can almost guarantee you would be ticked. But since he's not, it's no biggie to ya. "

dawg14 wrote on Aug 26, 2008 11:52 AM:

" I'm sure this youngster is a fine player but lets remember "the most accomplished varsity quarterback in Cowlitz County"'s accomplishments were in the Olympic league. That aint exactly the SEC either. "

LongviewFam wrote on Aug 26, 2008 1:30 PM:

" *tongue implanted firmly in cheek* Gosh. I'm SO SURPRISED that a "transfer" who was ranked among the top 15 quarterbacks in the state would suddenly decide to play football. What are the chances, huh?! "

IAMLEGEND wrote on Aug 26, 2008 4:17 PM:

" Exactly LongviewFam.Tha transfers gotta make it look good.We didn't transfer for athletic purposes.Tha fishin on tha columbia is what brought us here! "

realjock wrote on Aug 26, 2008 4:58 PM:

" Please enlighten me....with all of the fine coaching going on at Mark Morris...how many D-1 athletes come out of these programs? This past season, the basketball coach weakened two programs(Kalama and Mark Morris-local). The result was one of the players that graduated, was able to go all the way to LCC. In case any of you out there are confused, a "JC" is merely post-high school. TheGenius is correct on only one issue...this is "only" Cowlitz County!! "

DMSea wrote on Aug 27, 2008 12:31 AM:

" I'm not gonna say names here, but Mark Morris did have a kid transfer from Castle Rock for basketball a few years ago. The guy was one of the states top ranked quarterbacks going into his senior year, based mainly on how he performed at summer camps. He didn't end up playing football at all at Morris. Ratings don't mean a whole lot. Check the statistics, many "top rated" ballers (especially football) are over-hyped. People, be proud that athletes want to play for your school(s). I went to Kelso. I loved it when athletes would come in from other schools. Let the best players play. If little Johnny is so sad about losing his position, tough. If he's that good the coaches will find a spot for "him". Be proud you live where you do. I believe the competitiveness in high school sports in Cowlitz County is intense, but not that intense, when being compared to many areas around the country. For the complainers, welcome to the real world of high school sports, especially, football. Mark Morris doesn't exactly recruit. They're a solid school in that area, that's all. What monetary gains does Morris make by obtaining athletes? Not a lot. Stop talking about MM like it's a damn prep school. It's public. "

JackBear wrote on Aug 27, 2008 7:41 AM:

" For the basketball program Josh Wilson, and Mickey Polis are both playing D-1, and Eric Hutinson will play D-1 following this year.Jake Welch will also D-1 football maybe even pro some day, and Taylor Beck has a shot at playing. "

duckguy wrote on Aug 27, 2008 7:55 AM:

" So now, judging by the comments above, the football staff is recruiting? Where's the comments on the new transfer linebacker at RAL? You people all need to go find another conspiracy on which to spend your time. "

hey now wrote on Aug 27, 2008 8:06 AM:

" A lot of you are acting like this is some 25 year old Free Agent in the NFL. This is a guy who is 17 or maybe 18 who doesn't control where his parents move. He was already the 15th rated QB and a starter at Squim, I doubt he really thought Mark Morris was a football hotbed and needed to be here.

Complain about the parents if you think they are complicit in some sort of recruiting, but would you let your 17 year old tell you where you needed to move, or if you moved would you let your 17 year old stay behind? He goes where his parents go, and I am sure he put in as much football practice in his life as Scotty, why should he have to sit out because his parents moved? "

TheGenius wrote on Aug 27, 2008 8:23 AM:

" Well, at least you agree with me on something, realjock. I gotta agree with dawg14 on his point. The Olympic 2A isn't exactly putting out teams that give other conferences and leagues nightmares. "

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