Thompson scores 42 first-half points to pull away from TCHS

Published 12:25 am Saturday, September 5, 2020

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Thompson put together a dominant night on its home field with 42 first-half points to pull away for a 49-7 region win against Tuscaloosa County. (For the Reporter/Jeremy Raines)

Thompson will host Spain Park in this week's Game of the Week, which is part of an action-packed second week of region play with several big storylines. (For the Reporter/Jeremy Raines)

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By SETH HAGAN | Special to the Reporter

ALABASTER – The Thompson Warriors started region play off with a bang on Senior Night, as they welcomed the Tuscaloosa County Wildcats to Warrior Stadium and ran up a 42-0 lead by halftime to cruise to a 49-8 victory on Friday, Sept. 4.

With the win, the Warriors moved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in Class 7A, Region 3.

“I’m very proud of our team and coaches,” said Warriors’ head coach Mark Freeman. “It was a great effort and I am glad we got to play a lot of our young guys.”

Junior quarterback Conner Harrell was a cool customer in the pocket and had his best performance of the year so far as he spread it around to all of his receivers in the first half.

It was his legs that got Thompson in the red zone for the first time though as he ripped off a 25-yard run to get the Warriors to the 6-yard line before hitting Ryan Peppins for a quick score.

JB Mitchell, Peppins and Tre Roberson all went for 70 yards or more in the first half, as Thompson moved up and down the field with ease. It was Roberson who would hit pay dirt next, as Harrell found him for a 6-yard touchdown on the next drive.

Roberson led the Warriors with 80 yards on five receptions in the first half and finished with those same stats.

Mitchell got into the act next as Harrell sent a missile to his favorite target across the middle. Mitchell then cut up the field and dragged a couple of defenders into the end zone with 17 seconds left in the first quarter to extend the lead to 21-0.

He finished with five catches for 70 yards, all in the first half.

It was a night where Thompson could’ve named the score, as the defense had a second consecutive strong showing and began the game forcing four consecutive three-and-outs.

Senior defensive end Kobe Stewart came up big with two fumble recoveries in the game, and the Warriors even blocked a punt in the second quarter to give themselves a short field.

Brandon Franklin then got in on the scoring and took it in from 16 and two yards for touchdowns. He led the Warriors with 46 rushing yards on just four carries.

The night, however, belonged to Ryan Peppins, who was electric every time he touched the ball. Peppins turned a routine catch into the 70-yard play of the game as he cut inside then bounced it back to the sideline beating his man and racing past every remaining Wildcat defender to bring the crowd to its feet.

He wasn’t done either. Harrell lined him up once more across the middle two minutes into the second half from the Wildcats’ 29 yard line.

Peppins, crossing left to right, stopped on a dime losing a couple of defenders and dashed the other direction into the left corner of the end zone to give Thompson its final touchdown and a 49-0 lead.

The Warriors’ defense was absolutely stellar and allowed just eight total yards in the first half and 100 total for the game.

Peter Woods and Jeremiah Alexander were nearly unblockable again, as they both nabbed a sack, while Woods claimed six tackles and two for loss to lead the team. Alexander finished with five tackles with 1.5 for loss.

Harrell finished 18-23 for 296 yards and five touchdowns for his most efficient game of the season so far.

The first-year starter also has yet to throw an interception. Sam Reynolds also had a great all-around game collecting 38 receiving yards plus another 24 on the ground.

The Warriors will head back out on the road for their next region game at Spain Park scheduled for Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.