(Dan Williamson:) 

He has an uncommon name...and an uncommon game!

Type 'Esley Thorton' into a google search and most of what you'll find is content about the quarterback from Bismarck High...



and with the success he's had,

he's showing that he might truly be the 'one and only.'





"Chesney Hawkes sang that he was the one and only back in 1991

and that there was nobody he'd rather be...

but he's never seen Esley Thorton play Football.



(Mark Gibson:) Esley is a kid that just wants to win.



Nobody's seen Thorton play more than his Head Coach Mark Gibson



(Mark Gibson:) I've said it before, he is the best quarterback that I have ever had and probably will ever have and he's a kid who if need be, we could put the ball in his hands and we'd be fine.



Yet in Esley's eyes, his best hasn't happened..



(Esley Thorton:) Its been okay, but I know I can play better and that is kind of all of our mindset and that's why we are a competitve team and we all want to get better and that's what makes us the team we are.



They are the undefeated, defending 3A State Champions...

and in 2009, they've averaged 47 points per game...

meaning they've become capable of scoring at any time, from any spot on the field.



(Esley Thorton:) I feel comfortable passing and if I have to go out and run the ball, that is always good too. Handing it off to Jake is always a good option too.



He's refering to Jake Miller, who's one of the best rushers and scorers in the State,

and combined,

the two had over 25-hundred yards of total offense in the regular season.

But as he points out, the only stats that matter

are the wins and losses.



(Esley Thorton:) Everyone is glad that we've made it to where we are so far, but we are not satisfied with where we are at and keep practicing hard and hopefully make it to that last game. "





Thorton has committed to play at NDSU next season...but he and his Bismarck High teammates are still focused on THIS season.



The Demons dual West Fargo tomorrow afternoon in the 3A semifinals.





On the other side of the bracket,

Century faces Fargo South out East.





For a list of all the match-ups from each class,

just visit our website, kxnet.com/sports.

watch the video

save this article / add to your favorites list