Athlete Spotlight: Michael Williamson and Reid Thomas

Michael Williamson and Reid Thomas became fast friends when they met during summer football workouts.

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And why not? The Augusta Christian teammates have plenty in common.

Except, that is, for their class, position on the field, playing time and build. The pair could audition for the sequel to Twins , the 1988 film starring Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

But these two get along better.

Williamson, a freshman, stands 5 feet 8 inches and is listed at 125 pounds, although that might be generous. Thomas, a senior, stands 5 feet 11 inches and 285 pounds.

Thomas was friends with Williamson's brother, James, a former Lions football player. He met Michael Williamson during the summer and the two hit it off.

"He's a real good guy," Thomas said. "He'll do anything you ask."

Thomas plays as a lineman on both sides of the ball. The senior began playing in rec leagues.

Williamson never played football before this year. He's been slotted as a receiver and defensive back and will play junior varsity and varsity, although he admits playing time will be hard to come by on the older squad.

"Not unless we're ahead by 5,000 points," Williamson said.

Williamson said, with a semi-straight face, that he came out for the physicality of the game. He said the contact gives him a chance to take out aggression, although he's usually on the wrong end of a collision.

Thomas said the two have yet to hit each other on the football field. The consensus from both is that the result could be messy.

"I don't think it'd be good for him," Thomas said with a laugh.

Williamson accepts shots at his slight build with humor. When he made the crack about not playing varsity unless the Lions held an insurmountable lead, he directed the last few syllables at assistant coach Charles Cooper.

The team was waiting to take the field Friday to warm up for the Border Bash, the Lions' preseason jamboree that benefits the America Cancer Society.

Thomas will begin the season with no plans of playing football after high school. But he said his size has been good to him.

"When you're big, you can push people out of the way and get off the block," Thomas said.

Williamson will likely never know the feeling. But that won't keep the two from hanging out this season.

Augusta Christian is coming off back-to-back runner-up finishes in SCISA Class AAA. Williamson joined the push for a state title after watching his brother play. He'll have all year to decide whether the sport is for him, but said he'd probably stick with it.

"I came out to enjoy it," he said.

Thomas has high hopes for the team's chances for a state title, something it last accomplished in 2005.

"We're looking good," he said. "I hope we pull it out."