Metea Valley’s loss looks to be a big gain for Naperville Central.
Junior quarterback Payton Thorne has transferred to Naperville Central.
Naperville Central coach Mike Stine confirmed Monday that Thorne, the son of North Central College football coach Jeff Thorne, started summer workouts with his team last week after the family moved into District 203.
Thorne started last season at Metea, splitting time with a senior before becoming the starter. Playing in all nine games, he completed 60.2 percent of his passes (118-for-196) for 1,648 yards with 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
“Obviously, he’s a great athlete,” Stine said of Thorne. “I haven’t gotten a chance to know him real well yet, but from our first meetings, he’s a really great kid.
“I’ve known the family for more than 30 years, what with his dad coaching at North Central and his grandfather (John) coaching for so long here in the western suburbs (in Wheaton) and at North Central.”
Stine related the ties the Thorne family has to Naperville.
“They sold their house and bought a house in our district,” Stine said. “His mom works in our district, and I think there’s a family connection. I believe Jeff’s sister’s kids all went through Central along with other cousins. It’s not totally out of the blue.”
Thorne, who also played basketball and baseball at Metea, began running and lifting with the Redhawks on June 5 when they started their summer program.
Metea (3-6) lost three games last season by a combined seven points, including a 28-25 decision to Naperville Central (4-5) in the third game.
“That was really (Thorne’s) game, he played significant minutes,” Stine said. “We were lucky to win that one.”
The Redhawks certainly will have depth at the skill positions.
Senior Tommy Carlsen and junior Jack Jopes started at quarterback each of the past two seasons, respectively, for Naperville Central sophomore teams that went 9-0.
Carlsen played wide receiver last year on varsity. Stine said both players are potential two-way starters at wideout and defensive back. The team also returns Tommy Coyne at receiver and all-conference running back AJ Deinhart.
“Plus, we’ve got two or three other kids who can play (quarterback),” Stine said. “We could have as many as six in camp.”
Twitter @RickArmstrong28
