The running game was the story for Thompson High School Friday night as the Warriors defeated the Central High School-Tuscaloosa Falcons, 42-0, in their season opener.

Running back Adrian Marcus ran for 118 yards and found the end zone twice while the rest of the Warrior’s backfield combined added another 181 yards rushing on 32 carries.

Not to be outdone on the ground, however, Thompson quarterback Chris Myles completed 8 of 17 passes for 89 yards and three touchdowns.

&uot;We’re proud of the win,&uot; Thompson head coach Brian Maner said. &uot;There’s still a lot of things we have to improve on, but I thought we really performed well overall.&uot;

The Warriors started of the scoring with a 4-yard pass from Myles to Justin Cofer in the first quarter. The Falcons tried to keep it close but a second quarter touchdown by Marcus gave the Warriors a two-score lead going in to halftime and all the momentum they needed.

&uot;Adrian Marcus performed really well for us tonight,&uot; Maner said. &uot;And Chris was very consistent with his passing.&uot;

The Warriors went on a rampage in the second half scoring 28 points to finish off Central. Receiver Devin Onarheim

caught an 18-yard pass from Myles in the third quarter and Marcus added a 47-yard touchdown run to give his team a 28-0 lead. B.J. prince caught a 10-yard pass from Myles and Steven Ward had a 1-yard run to wrap up the Warrior’s scoring.

Former Thompson football coach Ricky Seale was honored before the start of Friday night’s game for his service to the school. Seale retired at the end of last year after coaching the Warriors for 17 seasons. Seale was recognized for a number of accomplishments with the Warrior’s program, including helping the team move back to the 6A level last season.

Thompson had little time to celebrate last Friday’s victory; however, as the Warriors prepare to face their toughest challenge of the year this Friday night at home against the Hoover Buccaneers in the first region game of the season.

Maner said his team has been working hard to prepare for the Bucs and that he isn’t to worried about the hype that Hoover has coming off a victory in a nationally televised game.

&uot;They’ll prepare for us and we’ll prepare for them,&uot; he said. &uot;Hoover has an outstanding program, but we’ve watched a lot of film this week and have worked to make ourselves better.&uot;

The Warriors and Bucs will kick-off Friday night at James L. Simmons stadium at 7 p.m.