It has been a long season for the Thompson High School Warriors and the school’s players and fans traveled to Tuscaloosa looking to end on a positive note. The Northridge Jaguars would not allow it and held on to defeat the Warriors, 14-6.

As has been the case most of the season, the Warriors’ defense came out and put on a show early, as they held the Jags to three plays on their opening drive and forced a punt.

Thompson took over at its own 30-yard line and began moving the ball. David Bria connected with Kevin Woody and Deshaunta Bivens on the drive that moved deep into Northridge territory. What looked to be a cakewalk to the end zone turned into a penalty fest. The Warriors (1-9) were penalized five times on the drive. Facing a third-and-39, Bria’s pass was intercepted at the 1-yard line.

Thompson would finish the night with 17 penalties for 111 yards, while the Jags six penalties for 65 yards.

Again the defense came up big, with Brandon King and Kenny Johnson making hard hits to keep the Jags from gaining a first down. King led all tacklers with six and Johnson added five on the night.

The Warriors started the next drive on the Jags’ 40-yard line and immediately made their mark. Monterious Drake, who had big runs in his last two games, took the handoff from Bria, hurdled over two defenders and broke numerous tackles on his way to paydirt. The Warriors’ extra point was blocked, but Thompson held the lead at 6-0 at the end of the first quarter.

After driving 34 yards on their next series, Thompson fumbled at the Jags’ 15-yard line. This drive would be the turning point in the game for the Jags. The Northridge defense would only allow the Warriors into Jaguar territory one more time on the final Thompson drive of the evening.

After scoring on a pass play in the second quarter, the Jags went to the half tied with the Warriors.

Defense continued to play strong all night for the Warriors, waiting for the offense to put some points on the board to secure the win. In the third quarter, the Warriors were pinned deep in their end of the field when Northridge recovered a fumble for a touchdown to take the lead. The 2-point conversion was the final score of the night.