Not only is the Mica Mountain High School football program 5-0 at the first-half mark of the season, the Thunderbolts have looked the part of a legitimate Class 4A state title contender after losing in the semifinals last season.
Since Mica Mountain’s 17-8 win over Poston Butte to begin the season, the Thunderbolts have outscored their opponents 146-7 to go along with three straight shutouts.
Mica Mountain’s Josiah Thornwell attempts to stiff-arm his way around Sabino’s Javian Winton in the first quarter of a Sept. 13 game.
In Mica Mountain’s 41-7 win over Casa Grande last Friday, senior running back Josiah Thornwell had 15 carries for a career-high 138 yards and two touchdowns. Thornwell is five yards away from eclipsing 1,000 career rushing yards.
Thornwell is the Star’s High School Football Player of the Week as the Thunderbolts prepare for a bye before hosting Pueblo next Friday. Thornwell joined “Spears and Ali” on ESPN Tucson this week to talk about his performance against Casa Grande, his new passion for golf and Mica Mountain’s ascension to Southern Arizona powerhouse. Here’s what he discussed:
Canyon de Oro’s Cash Dickey hits Mica Mountain’s Josiah Thornwell from behind after his catch in a 2023 game.
What has contributed to Mica Mountain’s undefeated start to the season?
A: “It all started during the offseason. We just got in the weight room as a team and just started working on speed development and building that chemistry, so that once we got into the season, we didn’t have to work on it and we just perfected everything down to the T.”
Canyon del Oro’s Austin Greer (11) pulls down on Mica Mountain’s Josiah Thornwell (5) jersey during the Dorados’ 23-7 win over the Thunderbolts in 2023.
Since Mica Mountain’s loss to Salpointe Catholic in 2022, the Thunderbolts are 21-2. What’s been the key to Mica Mountain’s rise over the last two years?
A: “We’ve just grown a lot from having a small senior class with just two seniors to this year, having 33. It’s just been a lot of growing and now we’re just ready to compete for a state championship at that level.”
What do you attribute Mica Mountain’s chemistry and camaraderie to?
A: “Ever sine freshman year, we’ve all been hanging out. Lately, we’ve all partaken in golf. That’s been new and it’s pretty to fun. On days we don’t have practice or on the weekends, we go out and golf. It’s pretty fun.”
Mica Mountain’s Josiah Thornwell (5) twists his way into the secondary against Sabino in the second quarter of their game at Sabino High School, Tucson, Ariz., September 13, 2024.
Where do you normally golf?
A: “Usually Fred Enke over on the east side.”
How did you start golfing?
A: “Our coaches. Seeing them do it, we just wanted to try it. Ever since then, we fell in love. ... I’m not the best, but I’m definitely improving though.”
What’s the most challenging part about golf?
A: “Getting the ball in the fairway.”
How much has golf influenced your life since you started playing?
A: “It’s just fun getting out there with my friends and to be able to get a laugh. You could be having a bad day, but once you get out there, it’s just you, your clubs and the ball.”
If you could choose any three people to golf with, who’s in your group?
A: “Most likely Steph Curry, because I heard he’s a good golfer and I’m a Warriors fan as well, so that’ll be a lot of fun. Going with another basketball player, Michael Jordan. I heard he’s a good golfer. Tiger Woods, a classic golfer. Gotta go with Tiger.”
What do you think led to your breakout performance last Friday?
A: “Just our (offensive) line opening up the gaps and I was just able to hit them every time. They kept opening it and all week in practice, they were having a great week, so I give all my thanks to them.”
How do you build on this performance?
A: “You don’t get comfortable and you just keep working. Don’t get content and just stay hungry and know there’s always someone out there working harder and there’s always ways to improve.”
Mica Mountain’s Josiah Thornwell (5) breaks free from Ironwood Ridge’s Otto Hagele (17) tackle during the second half of their game at Ironwood Ridge High School in Oro Valley, Ariz. on Sept. 1, 2022.
You could’ve went to a number of other high schools in the area, but went to Mica Mountain when it was first built. Why?
A: “I heard Mica was up-and-coming and I heard Coach Pat Nugent was heading over there and I knew he was an amazing coach from Cienega. I just wanted to be able to be a part of something great and up-and-coming and leave a mark.”
