NATCHEZ — Yohan Thompson said he and his brother Cristofer Thompson enjoyed playing soccer in Costa Rica. When they came to America they played football as well.

The first time Yohan touched a football for Adams County Christian Rebels was five years ago. Yohan played on the offensive line for the Rebels during his eighth-grade year. Yohan said it was fun to play on the offensive line.

“I didn’t know what I was doing,” Yohan said. “I was just standing there, and I had to ask everyone beside me what to do. I enjoyed it.”

The Thompson family lived in Costa Rica for six years before Mike Thompson, father of Yohan and Yohan’s brother Cristofer, said he decided to move to America.

The Thompson family arrived in the Miss-Lou on Dec. 16, 2013. Cristofer was 14 years old and Yohan was 12. Mike said he moved because he wanted better job opportunities for both of his sons.

“The opportunities were picking coffee seeds or pineapple, which were both seasonal jobs,” Mike said. “I was like I have to do better for my kids. My wife (Marlene) and I agreed it would be a good idea for me to bring the boys here.”

Cristofer said the plan was only to play soccer, but the Rebels football coaches had other plans, and during Cristofer’s sophomore year, he tried out to be on the Rebels football team.

“The football coaches tried to see if I could kick a football,” Cristofer said. “When they saw me kick one and make it through the uprights, they said I was a really good kicker, and they wanted me to kick for them. The more seasons I played for them, the more it meant to me. Playing football for ACCS has meant a lot to me.”

During Cristofer’s senior year, Yohan was a sophomore and both of the brothers played on defense for the Rebels. Then in the winter season, both brothers played soccer with each other.

Yohan’s favorite memory of playing soccer with Cristofer was a game against Copiah Academy. Yohan said during the game, him and Cristofer tried bicycle kicks and took shots on goal from 50-yards out.

Now, Yohan is a senior at ACCS and Cristofer is going to be a place kicker for Alcorn State University next season. Mike Thompson said the experience at ACCS for his family has been very humbling.

“When we walked through the doors of ACCS for the first time, David King and his bunch made my boys feel like family,” Mike Thompson said. “I thank God for giving my boys the talent and drive to play sports. The move to America turned out to be really good.”