Sports
Plant High Football Has a 'Tsunami' in Backfield
In addition to an already stout offensive line, the 2012 Plant Panthers will have a force of nature in their backfield — junior fullback Tommy "Tsunami" Rhee.
If the Plant High football team's offensive line is an earthquake, and is a lightning bolt, then rising junior fullback Tommy Rhee is a "Tsumani."
In fact, that's actually his nickname.
"He is a force of nature to contend with," said Plant JV coach Jeremy Brooks.
Find out what's happening in Tampawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Brooks kind of discovered Rhee, a defensive lineman on the JV squad in 2011.
"I was amazed at how fast and strong he was for his size," Brooks said. "I'm thinking, 'Once he grows into that frame, he's gonna be a beast.' "
Find out what's happening in Tampawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Now standing at 6 feet tall and weighing in at 225 pounds, Rhee has developed into that athlete the coaches had hoped for — only not as a defensive lineman. Varsity defensive backs coach Bo Puckett recalls watching Rhee line up at fullback in a late-season 2011 intersquad scrimmage.
"He was blowing up our varsity defensive linemen," Puckett said. "I knew we had to call him up this year."
Rhee's teammates would like to tell you he's Hawaiian. He's not. He is second-generation American, although his mother is of Filipino descent, his father Korean.
"I just tell people that to mess with them," Rhee said.
Rhee provides an explosive yet stable option for Plant at fullback for 2012. Last season, fullback Maronte Gilbert struggled with eligibility issues, and senior linebacker Tate Rodgers would set up at fullback in certain situations. This year, the position will be manned almost full-time by Rhee, although he will have a little help in rising senior Al-saleh Sammi. Behind an offensive line already boasting talent and depth, Rhee's presence will make the Panthers more of a power running team than they were last year.
"The offensive line has done an amazing job, especially considering how young the group is," Rhee said. "It's going to be fun blocking behind them this year, even running behind them."
Rhee brings character and work ethic to the lineup as well.
"He's got the right attitude," Brooks said. "He's always smiling, even when he's doing punts and running, he's smiling."
Said Rhee: "One of the things I pride myself on is that I will keep playing hard even after a bad play."
"Tommy will suck it up and do it," said Brooks.
