Blake Thorne is one of the best cornerbacks head coach Kai Smalley has seen at the high school level.
He’s the best running back on the team, as well.
The 5-foot-9 Thorne may look small, but his ability to turn on the burners has been a major plus for a Park City offense in the midst of a transition year.
In previous years, the triple option dominated Dozier Field, but after seeing a spread-offense system installed, Thorne is often called upon to be the guy to shoulder the load, and at times, to be the guy to sit back and throw his body in harm’s way to block incoming blitzes.
“Blake is dangerous because a lot of people aren’t going to have seen him play,” Smalley said. “When he gets the ball and he finds that little lane, he’s explosive. He’s so fast.”
Explosive is just one adjective one could use.
Thorne’s ability to both run and catch the ball out of the backfield is something that will only continue to help the Miners as they enter region play this week.
In Friday night’s 28-22 over Manti, Thorne rushed for 84 yards, including a 1-yard draw into the end zone. Thorne also had an amazing 60-yard touchdown reception called back after a clipping penalty negated the score. He eluded a few Templar defenders on the screen play as he headed toward the sideline, turned the boosters on and flew down the sideline untouched into the end zone.
Thorne’s team-first mentality showed after the game when asked how it felt to see a great effort like that reversed.
“A little disappointed,” Thorne said. “But it’s all right. We got a little more drive in the game. I don’t mind it.”
Smalley is thankful to have a running back like Thorne, on whom he can depend in dire situations. Thorne helped run the clock down late in the fourth quarter and showed his ability to get away from defenders.
“It’s huge,” Smalley said. “It makes us a balanced attack. We just don’t have Brian (Schettler) and Jono (Schettler) and (Robert) Cashel, we have Blake who can run the ball.
“It’s a huge weapon. It makes teams have to respect our run.”
Paul Flake is a junior in his first year as a quarterback in Park City’s new spread system and having a safety net like Thorne only brings smiles to his face.
“(Thorne) always gets more yards than people think,” Flake said. “It might look like a broken play, but never with Blake.”