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D1 College Player of the Week: Hudson Montgomery

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D1 College Player of the Week: Hudson Montgomery

Hudson Montgomery has been a huge part of the Thomas More forward pack for over four years. Stephen Oldfield photo.

As Thomas More moves into sole possession of first place in the Big Rivers, we take a look at our Player of the Week.

The Saints have their high-flying backs, the guys who can run and kick and score tries from long range, but all of it is on the backs of a strong forward effort. And none is as strong as Hudson Montgomery.

Once passed over for a select side spot because he was too big (and then the coach got talked into picking him anyway, after which he scored two tries), Montgomery isn’t going to beat you in a phone booth, but he’ll scrum, maul, and ruck you into the ground.

Finishing up his final 15s season with the Saints, Montgomery has taken them from losing in the opening D2 playoff round in 2019 to winning that division in 2021 to leading a new school-supported D1 conference and being a serious contender for larger honors in NCR.

“He’s quite a character,” enthused Head Coach John Fox. “He’s grown up a lot in these four-and-a-half years that he’s been a part of the program.”

That’s the idea, but Montgomery has dealt with personal loss as family members have been struck by cancer, and newer and bigger challenges on the field.

“He’s a leader on and off the field,” added Fox. “He epitomizes our motto of making a difference on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. He led our team during last week’s community service cleaning up the local municipal lake and park.”

A captain at Thomas More for an astonishing four years, the big prop has held up this program as it has grown.

Off the field he has served as a Resident Assistant for two years, one of the hardest hobs to get on campus. 

“We’re very proud of him,” said Fox