With an offensive array that includes quarterback Taylor Bullock, who has been one of the top statistical quarterbacks in the state all year, and receivers Devin Boutte, who was the leading receiver in the state for the majority of the year, and Cory Brodie, who has also been a top receiver, it’s easy for Catholic High running back-receiver Thomas Theriot to get lost in the shuffle.

But while Theriot may not get the press coverage his three teammates do, he is not the unsung hero of the offense. In fact, opposing defenses know all about Theriot and what he means to Catholic High’s offensive attack.

“It’s kind of a case where if he’s in the backfield, defenses know that we’re going to run the ball with him and if he lines up as a receiver, they know that we’re going to throw the ball,” said CHS coach Craig Brodie. “Even with that, he still is able to get yards and produce for us.”

Thomas Theriot (4), shown in action against Central Catholic this season, leads Catholic High in rushing and is second on the team in receiving yards. The Panthers open the playoffs at West Feliciana on Friday. - Lee Ball / The Daily Iberian Advertisement

Despite defenses preparing for him and the fact that he doesn’t get as much publicity as his teammates, Theriot is an integral part of the Panthers attack and proved that this year.

“He’s had a great season and really came into his own about midway through the season,” said Brodie. “He ended up leading the team in rushing and is second leading receiver and if you add up all of it he would have more than 1,000 all-purpose yards for us.

“He’s been Mr. Everything for us.”

Theriot also returns kicks, including a TD against E.D. White last week.

What’s interesting is that he was not slated to be in that role at the start of the season, according to Brodie.

“That was supposed to be Devin Boutte’s role for us,” said the CHS coach. “But Thomas runs so well between the tackles and what he does helps us more with the type of running game that we use.”

Brodie said that about 30 percent of the offense that Catholic High runs is geared to go through Theriot.

“And he still makes big plays,” said Brodie.

It’s no secret that Theriot is going to be a big part of what Catholic High does Friday night when the Panthers travel to St. Francisville to take on West Feliciana High School in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs.

And while he may not be the focal part of the offense nor the person who gets the most attention, it’s not something that he dwells on or worries about.

“That’s how its gone this whole year,” said Theriot, who has 404 rushing yards, 481 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns this year. “I don’t mind. They can have all the glory and I just do what I need to do.”

He also enjoys being a do it all type player.

“I like being a threat anywhere I am on the field. It’s fun,” he said. “Everyone on the defenses know about me. That’s for sure.”

While Theriot has had his successes, he also give a lot of the credit to Bullock because the CHS quarterback has that ability to get the receivers the ball so that he and the others can do what they do, which is make defenses miss so they can get first downs and touchdowns.

A runner at heart, he has no problems being a receiver at times.

“After I get the ball, I become a runner again,” said Theriot.

Now that the playoffs have arrived, Theriot is ready to help take Catholic High on a deep run.

“We surely have the talent to make a run, it’s just a matter of whether we can put something together.”

To get to West Feliciana High School, drive to Baton Rouge via I-10. Turn north on I-110 in Baton Rouge, then north on U.S. 61 to St. Francisville. The school is located north of St. Francisville along U.S. 61.