Trent Thompson enjoying all-star experience

ALBANY —It’s been a fun high school career for Westover defensive lineman Trent Thompson.

On Saturday, the senior will play in his final high school event when he plays in the US Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio. The game will feature the best high school senior football players in America.

Thompson will be one of 14 Georgia players competing in this prestigious event but the only one from the Albany area. The game is designed to showcase 90 of the top high school seniors in an East versus West format. It is played annually at the Alamodome and is the longest running active high school All-American game dating back to 2000.

Some current NFL players that participated in the game are Adrian Peterson, Andrew Luck, LeSean McCoy, Eric Berry and Teddy Bridgewater. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be televised on NBC.

While the Georgia commit certainly wants to show Georgia fans what they have to look forward to, Thompson is making sure he enjoys the experience of being in San Antonio.

“It’s been great so far,” Thompson said. “It’s my first time being in San Antonio and my first time being in Texas. I’m going up against good competition.”

While he feels extremely honored to be counted among the best high school football players in America, Thompson knows that he has much more work to do.

“It’s great to be thought of in that light, but I know that I’ve got to keep moving forward,” Thompson said.

While Thompson wants to make a good showing on Saturday, Thompson is more concerned about team goals.

“I just want to go out and compete and make sure that we get the win for the East squad,” Thompson said.

It has been a busy week for Thompson and the rest of the US Army All-American Bowl players and their families. In addition to daily practices, the players have been involved in various service projects.

“I was at the Boys and Girls Team Center helping out kids,” he said.

While a bright future in football awaits him, Thompson is preparing for life after football.

“I plan on majoring in business management and I’d also like to get into coaching,” he said.

Thompson’s coach, Octavia Jones, has nothing but high praise for his star pupil.

“Trenton is the epitome of what a high school football player should be,” Jones said. “He has excelled in the classroom and on the field of play. He is a young man of high integrity and has an outstanding work ethic. He has brought notoriety not only to Westover High School, but to South Georgia as well.”

Thompson has been named a finalist for the US Army Player of The Year. The winner will be announced tonight in San Antonio.