Thompson Leaves No Doubt, Blows Out Auburn for 4th Straight Championship

Everyone remembers the 2020 title game, the tension and the dramatic ending between Thompson and Auburn. This time around, the Warriors left the drama at home.

Thompson (11-3) built a huge lead they would never relinquish and became the first program in Alabama history to claim four Class 7A championships with a convincing 49-24 victory. Mark Freeman also won his record 10th state title leaving him at the top tied only with the legendary Bobby Carr.

The Warriors set to work immediately on both sides of the ball. The defense forced a three-and-out on a cornerback blitz that saw Tony Mitchell bring down the sack after a three game hiatus. 

Thompson’s run game had built lots of momentum over the last two games and they fed AJ Green eight times behind the offensive line for 38 of the drive’s 47 yards including his one yard score with 6:14 to go in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead.

Another three-and-out for Auburn’s defense and landed Thompson’s offense with good field position near midfield and again the Warriors took advantage. Quarterback Trent Seaborn’s presence alone was a first for the AHSAA’s championship series as an eighth grader had never started on this level since its inception. Seaborn would make his first impression memorable and hit Kolby Hearn over the top for a 49-yard touchdown on the second play of the drive to stun the Tigers with a 14-0 lead.

Thompson’s defense would go on to force three-and-outs on Auburn’s first four possessions while turning down all eight of Auburn’s first half attempts on third down. A shanked punt on the next possession gave the Warriors their best field position of the game at the Auburn 36 yard line. 

Again, the Warriors turned to their bruising run game with the short field. AJ Green and Michael Dujon muscled Thompson down to the eight yard line, then Thompson went to the air as Seaborn found a wide open Korbyn Williams in the corner of the end zone for a 21-0 lead with 1:06 left in the first quarter. It would be a special night for that duo going forward.

An interception by the Auburn defense on Thompson’s next position gave them a short field they converted to a touchdown on a desperation fourth down play, but outside of that and a 47-yard field goal, they would not budge the Warriors’ first unit for the rest of the evening.

Up 21-10 and the Auburn defense gaining momentum, Seaborn and Williams didn’t flinch. Instead, on the second play of their next drive, Trent unleashed a pinpoint pass up the right sideline to Korbyn for 45 yards. The Thompson fans barely had time to breathe their sigh of relief as Seaborn took a big hit on the next play, but unleashed the pass just before and connected with Williams again for a 35-yard touchdown and a 28-10 lead with 1:22 left in the half.

Thompson didn’t have any time for games coming out of halftime either. On the first play of their opening drive, AJ Green burst through a hole on the right side and raced 80 yards, sending the Thompson sideline into a fit. Still, the Warriors we’re not satisfied with the 35–10 margin.

The defense had thrived off turnovers the entire season and Kaleb Harris was the next Warrior to make his mark, snagging his fifth interception of the year to give Thompson the ball on the 40 yard line.

Michael Dujon pounded the rock for five straight plays, but it only served to lull the Auburn defense to sleep as Korbyn Williams got loose again for a 24-yard touchdown and a 42–10 lead.

After another three and out, Seaborn and Williams capped off their sensational night with a 25-yard touchdown to propel them into the record books. Seaborn’s five touchdowns are a new Super 7 record along with Williams’ four touchdown receptions.

Seaborn finished 12-14 for 207 yards while Williams ended his high school career with a personal best 142 yards on six receptions. Green led the Warriors on the ground with 147 yards on 21 carries and his 80-yard scamper was also a state record for longest touchdown run in a title game. Kolby Hearn added 55 yards on three receptions with a touchdown.

Peter Woods finished a legendary high school career with 5.5 tackles, two for loss and a sack giving him 23 tackles for loss and eight sacks on the year. Tony Mitchell finished his career at Thompson with a sack and broke up two passes. Seth Hampton closed his Thompson tenure with five tackles including one for loss giving him 16 TFL to end the season. Kaleb Harris had two tackles with his interception while Caleb Ballard also registered two tackles with one for loss giving him 15 TFL and nine sacks on the season.

This year was marked by adversity and perseverance. Major injuries and one of the nation’s most difficult schedules makes this title one of the most special of all in the Mark Freeman era. The championship is Thompson’s fifth in school history. Go Warriors!