Warriors Begin Region Play with Third Straight Shutout

The Thompson Warriors are in rare air. As a matter of fact, it’s debatable whether or not they’re already in a class of their own.

Another game came and went as the Warriors posted a third straight shutout and 50-plus point win as they went up 51-0 at halftime and cruised to a 58-0 win at Tuscaloosa County Friday, September 3.

”These three games in the long run, if we’re not careful, could come back to haunt us,” said head coach Mark Freeman. “Got to get some good work in practice. We’ve got some good teams down the road and as a head coach I’m thankful for the wins, I’m thankful that everybody on the team gets to play, but the day’s going to come where we’re going to have to play four quarters.”

These aren’t just shutouts, folks. The Thompson defense has allowed 152 yards in their first three games. Total. And two of those contests they allowed 27 yards or less—including this one.

The defense forced a three-and-out on nearly every single first half drive totaling nine tackles for loss as Tuscaloosa County went 0-10 on third down conversions in that same time span.

The one time they didn’t it was an interception by senior safety Karston Haywood.

The other side of the ball was a landslide for Thompson as well as they needed just 10 plays to score their first four touchdowns. Senior running back Brandon Franklin needed three runs for 54 yards including a 14 yard scamper for the game’s first score.

The Warriors scored on the first play of their next two drives. The first being an electric 82 yard touchdown from Ryan Peppins who took a screen pass, darted through a cut back lane and dusted the defense up the left sideline to go up 14-0.

Ahmari Bolden got in on the action next as he busted through the line for a 53 yard touchdown on first down. Four offensive play later, quarterback Conner Harrell found Peppins again who hauled in an impressive over-the-shoulder catch blazing 68 yards for his second TD.

A couple of defenders scored next for Thompson. First, safety Kaleb Harris broke through the Wildcat punt formation and blocked the kick through the end zone for a safety and a 30-0 lead.

Next, Tre’Quon Fegans took the ensuing kickoff to the house 70 yards to put the Warriors up 37-0.

Thompson (3-0,1-0) went to the ground game for the final two first half touchdowns with the first big one of the most bizarre plays of the night. Brandon Franklin rumbled around the left end for 7 yards before he was hit by a Wildcat defender jarring the ball loose, but tight end Jeffrey Kimochu caught the ball in stride and raced up the left side line the remaining 50 yards for his first career TD.

The Warriors capped off the first half with an eight play, 50 yard drive where Ahmari Bolden added 30 yards on four runs including a four yard touchdown—his second of the night.

Conner Harrell completed four of his seven passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Both came courtesy of Ryan Peppins who finished with three receptions for 168 yards.

Thompson’s run game was stout once again rushing for 248 yards on 32 attempts. Bolden became the third different RB to lead the Warriors in rushing with a season-high 96 yards on just six runs with two touchdowns. Franklin had a season-high 63 yards on seven rushes with a TD and senior Lione Cook finished things off with 63 yards on six runs adding the final TD of the night from one yard out.

Jax Van Zandt led the defense with six total tackles with 1.5 for loss. Tyler Hicks added three more with two for loss. Nine different defenders recorded at least one tackle for loss as they held Tuscaloosa County to zero total yards on offense.

Thompson returns home next week to continue their region schedule and welcome to Spain Park Jaguars to Warrior Stadium Friday, September 10 at 7 p.m.