Semoball Awards: Kennett's Latrevion Thompson named Football Defense Player of the Year

Latrevion Thompson is presented with the Cook, Barkett, Ponder & Wolz Football Defense Athlete of the Year award at the ninth annual Semoball Awards, Friday, July 8, 2022.

Photo by India Hampton, special to the Southeast Missourian

SEMO commit Latrevion Thompson was the first to cross the stage at the ninth annual Semoball Awards, taking home the Cook, Barkett, Ponder & Wolz Football Defense Athlete of the Year award. The Kennett outside linebacker's journey to make it onto the stage was undeniably earned – not given – as he relied on grit and adaptability to give his all to a team marked by adversity.

“It feels great,” Thompson said. “It doesn't feel real at all.”

With a place on the roster at the next level and two All-State honors to his name, it's easy to just look at the results, but Thompson's story lies within the journey.

In 2019, during Thompson's sophomore season, the Indians found themselves going head to head with Odessa in the Class 3 State Tournament final. Odessa's “ground and pound offense,” in the words of Coach Andrew Webster, was unstoppable even for a young Latrevion Thompson.

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Marching down the field drive after drive, it was clear he didn't yet have what it takes to stop an elite offensive line. Webster was forced to take Thompson out of the game, and after a devastating 14-31 loss it was in the back of the sophomore's mind that he'd never let it happen again.

And so Thompson went to work harder than he ever had before. He worked tirelessly to become more physical, stronger than ever before, to make a name for himself.

Kennett defenders Evan Parker (75), Ayden Tidd (54), and LaTrevion Thompson (56) level East Prairie quarterback Zach Stevenson on Friday at Metz Cherry Stadium in Kennett.

File photo by Tom Davis

“He's just a phenomenal worker,” Webster said. “People look at him and always want to talk about how long his arms are and how talented he is. But man, he worked so hard to get that way and he worked so hard for that award.”

With an array of injuries on the team during his tenure, Thompson cemented himself as a player upon which his teammates and coaches could rely. From “flying around” as defensive end to taking over as outside linebacker, Thompson became a player who excelled in any slot he was asked to play.

For his efforts Thompson was rewarded with second team Class 3 All-State honors, and he earned a place on the SEMO Central All-Conference and Class 3 All-Region team in 2021. In addition, Thompson also won the Derland Moore Award as the top defensive player in the conference.

“I feel special,” Thompson said. “I feel like I deserve it, though, because of all the hard work I've put in over the years.”

Thompson won't be alone on the SEMO roster this year; his teammate, defensive back Jordan Jarrett, will be alongside him for the journey. Their work is just beginning.

Until the SEMO football season starts, Thompson said he'll be spending his summer in the weight room, conditioning and gearing up for the next chapter.