Our final Orange Panther of the Week from the 2025-26 academic year is junior running back Markus Thomas. Last season, Thomas led Orange with 979 yards rushing in the wing-T attack employed by head football coach Fritz Hessenthaler. He scored seven touchdowns. In just his second varsity start, Thomas rushed for 156 yards against Chapel Hill on August 29. It was his first 100-yard game. He scored two touchdowns against the Tigers. On October 17, Thomas ran for 124 yards in a win over Carrboro, which was Hessenthaler’s first win as Orange head coach. Thomas scored two touchdowns in a crucial win over South Granville, which led to the Panthers reaching the state playoffs. The following week, Thomas ran for a career-high 156 yards in a 50-0 victory at Cedar Ridge. In the 5A State Playoffs against Southeast Alamance, Thomas rushed for 105 yards in Haw River. Shortly after football season ended, Thomas started wrestling season. On December 20, Thomas won his first individual championship at the Eagle Invitational in Mebane, capturing the 165-pound title. Thomas pinned David Pugh of Randleman in 1:22 to win the championship. In the semifinals, Thomas defeated Sam Intstaine of Northern Guilford 15-4. Thomas spent the summer preparing for football season and started for Orange in its scrimmage at Eastern Alamance last Friday in Mebane.
