By ERIC STARLING/For the Reporter

The Thompson Warriors traveled to Wetumpka to open their season hoping to avenge last year’s 24-0 loss at home.  With extreme heat and severe cramping wreaking havoc on the Warriors, as the squad fell to a strong Indian team 28-13.

Both teams went scoreless in the first quarter as neither could get into a rhythm on offense.  Early in the second quarter Thompson started deep on its own five yard line and on third down fumbled the pitch-out giving Wetumpka first and goal at the Thompson five.  With 10:24 remaining in the first half, the Indians scored on a two-yard run and with the extra point took a 7-0 lead.

Again Thompson couldn’t get the ball moving and had to punt back to Wetumpka and the Indians started first and ten on their own 18-yard line.  The 12-play drive was capped off with a nine-yard pass for the score with 3:58 left in the half.  The extra point made it 14-0 at halftime.

Tempers were high in the first half and Thompson had to work through two personal fouls in the game and one ejection.  “We aren’t going to make any excuses, we’ve got to get tougher on both sides of the ball,” head coach Michael Montgomery said.  “We have a lot of opportunity in front of us and right now we have to get focused on next weeks game with our rival.”

When the second half started the Thompson fans were on their feet as Patrick Haywood took the kickoff and ran it back 95 yards for the touchdown.  A missed extra point left it 14-6 Wetumpka.

Wetumpka scored on their next two drives and convert both extra points to take a 28-6 lead at the end of three quarters.

A muffed punt late in the fourth quarter by Wetumpka, gave Thompson the ball first and ten at the Wetumpka 33-yard line.  Four running plays later and Frank Mwakajumba ran it in for the Warriors final score.  A David Buckelew point after attempt made the final score 28-13 Wetumpka.

The Warriors now turn their attention to the Battle of U.S. 31, as the squad travels to arch rival Pelham to take on the Panthers on Aug. 29.