SACO — Every time Jimmy Remmes makes a tackle, deflects a pass or does something special at Hill Stadium, he hears a familiar voice.
His father, Dr. Paul Remmes, is the public address announcer for Thornton Academy football. Remmes is the last of four brothers to play for the Golden Trojans.
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“It’s different and kind of weird having your father as the PA announcer,” said Remmes, a senior co-captain. “But it’s something I’m used to. My dad announced my games when I played for the Junior Trojans.”
The Junior Trojans is the city’s football program for children in grades 2 through 8. Dr. Remmes, an orthodontist in Biddeford and Portland, was one of the founders.
When an opening arose for a high school PA announcer, the school didn’t have to look far. Athletic Director Gary Stevens had heard Remmes announcing Junior Trojans games and asked if he would be interested. With sons who had come up through the youth program, it was an easy decision for Remmes.
“I thought Paul would be a natural,” Stevens said. “He has a nice voice. A main job of a PA announcer is to provide information and Paul does that very well.”
Over the past six seasons, Thornton Academy football has been a family affair with Paul Remmes behind the microphone in the press box and his sons performing below. Jimmy Remmes’ mother, Holly, is an active member of the football boosters.
Michael Remmes was the first of the brothers to play for the Golden Trojans. He was followed by Peter, who was a year behind, then John and now Jimmy. Chrissy Remmes, John’s twin, was a standout soccer and softball player at the school.
Jimmy Remmes watched his older brothers play football for Thornton and knew he wanted to follow in their footsteps.
“I really looked up to my brothers,” he said. “I wanted to play when my turn came and hopefully be as good as they were.”
All of the Remmes boys have been defensive standouts: Michael, Peter and Jimmy at linebacker and John at safety. Jimmy wears No. 45, the same number Peter wore. Peter also played on offense as the team’s all-purpose back.
Thornton Coach Kevin Kezal has coached them all.
“They all had their own personalities,” said Kezal. “They love the game of football and they worked extremely hard to get ready to play. They’ve all been really good players and are really great role models.”
Michael lives in Los Angeles and is pursing an acting career.
Peter graduated from Springfield College in Massachusetts and is attending graduate school there for a master’s degree in strength and conditioning. He had an internship with the Buffalo Bills during the preseason, and his goal is to be a strength and conditioning coach for an NFL team.
John and Chrissy are college juniors, John at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and Chrissy at Lasell College in Newton, Massachusetts.
Jimmy Remmes plays a combination outside linebacker/defensive end. “I’m kind of like a hybrid but I’m on the line a lot,” he said. “To play my position well, you need a decent amount of speed and physicality.”
Remmes broke his arm playing hockey for the Trojans last winter. He worried that the injury might affect his football season, but it hasn’t.
“My hands are quicker than last season, which helps me shed blockers,” Remmes said.
Remmes said his brothers offer advice from time to time.
“The main thing they tell me is to cherish my time playing high school football and being with my teammates,” he said.
Remmes said he might play a year in prep school before heading to college.
Last year the Golden Trojans were mostly an underclassmen team that lost to Bonny Eagle, the eventual state champion, in the Western Class A final.
This year’s team is 2-0 and looking strong heading into Friday night’s game at Scarborough.
“We gained a lot of experience last year and we have the potential to have a very good season,” Remmes said.
Like two years ago, it could end with the Golden Trojans hoisting the Gold Ball at Fitzpatrick Stadium.
As Kezal was driving away from the school after the team’s season-opening win over South Portland, he heard a familiar voice announcing carries, tackles and touchdowns. It was Paul Remmes.
After announcing 48 minutes of the varsity game, Remmes was doing Junior Trojans games. Last Friday night he announced Thornton’s only home night game of the season and Saturday morning, was back behind the microphone for the Junior Trojans.
Like the young football players he announces, Remmes said of his brief but rewarding career behind the microphone that started with the Junior Trojans: “It’s been a feeder program for me as well.”
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