The Thompson Warriors found themselves on the losing end of yet another one-point contest Friday night, falling to the Mountain Brook Spartans by a score of 18-17.

The Warriors were close to getting a win over the visiting Spartans, but a late fumble ruled by officials snatched the win away from Thompson.

While there were three Warrior turnovers during the contest, the controversial fumble stung the most as it gave Mountain Brook great field position and a chance to win the game.

That led to a 32-yard field goal by the Spartans and defeat for the Warriors.

With the loss to Mountain Brook, Thomspon falls to 1-5 overall and 0-4 in region play. Warrior head football coach Brain Maner said he was pleased with his team’s performance.

&uot;I thought our young men played very hard,&uot; he said. &uot;They did what we asked them to do.&uot;

Maner said the critical fumble call occurred when the Warriors were leading with about 2 minutes, 48 seconds left in the game.

Statistically, the Warriors out-gained the Spartans in every area.

The Warriors rushed for 228 yards and passed for 79 yards for a total of 307 yards offense.

Mountain Brook rushed for 142 yards and passed for 111 yards for a total of 253 yards

offense.

Both sides had trouble holding on to the ball, but the Spartans managed to maintain possession on four fumbles while the Warriors lost two fumbles. Both teams gave up one interception.

The Warriors led 10-3 after the first quarter and 17-15 at the half.

Chris Myles scored for Thompson on a 17-yard run and Rusty Herring added the point after.

Herring added a 24-yard field goal and an extra point following an Adrian Marcus 66-yard run to the end zone.

Myles carried 11 times for 92 yards and a touchdown while Marcus carried 11 times for 107 yards and a touchdown. Chase Myles led the defense with 11 tackles.

As for the future, Maner said the team has got to get over the hump.

Next up for Thompson is a rivalry game with the Pelham Panthers at Pelham. Maner said of Pelham, &uot;I know they will be coached well and fired up.&uot;

He said his team would have to work extra hard this week to prepare