Calhoun High School's Thomas Lester (2) runs the ball into the end zone against Cedar Grove High School.CALHOUN Ga. -- Make no mistake, Thomas Lester has one goal in mind in the coming weeks: Lead Calhoun back to the Georgia Dome.
The senior safety and receiver, however, wouldn't mind if a little individual attention came his way on the way to Atlanta. If last week is any indication, the 6-foot, 195-pounder won't have to worry.
Lester, a full-time starter on defense whose playing time has been limited offensively because of his importance at safety, broke out offensively with six catches for 164 yards and a touchdown against Cedar Grove.
The breakthrough outing gave coach Hal Lamb an opportunity to praise a player he believes is getting overlooked on the recruiting circuit.
"A lot of people are missing the boat on Thomas," Lamb said. "He's a quite leader for our team and a tremendous kid, but he's also a great athlete. He power-cleans 325 pounds and he's a legit 4.5 (40-yard-dash) kid who is very physical and intense. I just don't understand why he's not getting more looks. He has an offer from (NCAA Division II member) West Georgia, but he's least an FCS player, in my opinion."
On a defense that rarely plays four quarters due to runaway scores and one that is loaded with front-seven talent, Lester still has 55 tackles, including four sacks, an interception and three forced fumbles. Offensively he has 400 yards on just 17 catches and five touchdowns, though those numbers are likely going to go up as the competition gets tougher.
"He's just so important to our defense that we wanted to keep him healthy during the regular season," said Lamb, whose team hosts Elbert County in Friday's Class AAA quarterfinal round. "As it's gotten cooler he's been able to do more on offense, and the other night he really stood out. We've put him back on kickoffs all year, but no one will kick to him, so we need to get him the ball in some way."
Lester enjoys being a part of both game plans, and he's well aware that his time to impress college scouts is drawing to a close.
"Games like last Friday give me a chance to show that I'm versatile and I can make things happen," said Lester, who has also heard from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Mercer from the Southern Conference. "It felt real good to help out the offense to show what this team can do. The playoffs are where you find out where the real players are."
Of course, it's on defense where Lester is most comfortable, though there is nothing comfortable about the defense from an opponent's perspective. The Calhoun starters have allowed a total of two touchdowns in the past six games, earning some comparison to the dominating 2011 state championship squad.
Lester is flattered by the talk and says both units had one major thing in common.
"We fly to the ball just like they did, and we're not afraid of getting physical," he said. "It means a lot to us to hear that we're similar to that defense, and we hope to bring home a championship just like they did."
And maybe in doing so earn that Division I college scholarship.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.