Ben Lippen’s Bryce Thompson shows off all-around ability

Through three games, Bryce Thompson hadn’t showcased his talents for an entire game.

That changed last Friday.

The Ben Lippen junior put together what Falcons coach Derrick White coach called one of the best statistical performances he’s witnessed during a 31-21 win over Hammond.

Thompson did a little bit of everything in helping the Falcons snap the Skyahwks’ 27-game winning streak. He rushed for 233 yards and two touchdowns, returned an interception for a score and blocked a field goal and was named The State’s Offensive Player of the Week.

Lugoff-Elgin’s Ahmad Bryant was named the Defensive Player of the Week.

“It is an exclamation point. Kind of let everyone know what he could do,” White said. “Had lot of college coaches ask me if it was for real. I told them yes, put an exclamation point next to it and told them to keep watching.

“He can do it all and he had a great night, kind of how we thought he would play. He is an exceptional player.”

Thompson called it his best performance, but wouldn’t give himself a grade. Instead, he passed that on to his teammates.

“If I had to, if I had to grade something, it was my offensive line. It was an A. Without my line, I wouldn’t be able to do anything,” Thompson said. “I just came out there and went to work. This game was very emotional for us and we came out there and did what we had to do.”

Two of Thompson’s touchdowns included highlight-reel runs. The Virginia Tech commit had an 81-yard run in which he was nearly tackled in the backfield and spun back near the goal-line before breaking four tackles and scampering down the sideline.

“Didn’t see anything at first,” Thompson said of the run. “Number 34 had me wrapped up and slung me, but I was always able to keep my feet going. As I was breaking the tackle, I saw teammates setting up for backside block and I saw a lane on the sideline.”

Thompson capped his night with a 99-yard run with six minutes left in the fourth quarter.

“I thought he was going to run out of gas at the 50, but he hit another gear and left everybody,” White said. “Every time he touches it, he has an opportunity to take it to the house.”

Through four games, Thompson has 761 total yards and nine touchdowns. He has scored touchdowns offensively, defensively and on special teams for the Falcons, who are 4-0 and ranked No. 8 in the The State’s latest top-10 poll.

“We just want to show that we are the real deal and not a joke this year,” Thompson said. “We told people before that we’re serious and that (Hammond) helped prove we were. We’ve just got to keep focused and keep getting better every week.”

This story was originally published September 13, 2016 at 8:23 PM with the headline "Ben Lippen’s Bryce Thompson shows off all-around ability."