Warriors Build Big Lead, Cruise to Win Over Jaguars
A second straight region game again produced some tense first half moments for the Thompson Warriors, but stiff defense and an ever-evolving offense helped them continue their winning ways downing Spain Park at home 35-14 Thursday, Sept 8.
Zach Sims had the best game of his short career last week and began the game in similar fashion. Junior used his arms and legs on a quick five play drive that went 73 yards. Senior receiver Roman Mothershed took a screen pass, racing 50 yards into the red zone with Sims running it in from the ten-yard line one play later for the game’s first score.
Spain Park’s first 15 plays rendered just ten yards as Thompson’s first defensive unit remained stingy in Week 4. A 17 yard fake punt would give the Jaguars their longest play until just before halftime.
The Warriors got the ball next with great field position at the Spain Park 40-yard line and took a more methodical approach this time around. Sims connected with Deuce Oliver on a 26 yard pass play that out Thompson in scoring position again. Four plays later AJ Green rumbled into the end zone from six yards out for the 14-0 lead with 3:05 to go in the first quarter.
The next four drives would lead to nothing for either team, but the Jags began to put serious pressure on Thompson’s offensive line. Back-to-back hits took Zach Sims out of the game and a bad punt gave Spain Park the ball on Thompson’s 38-yard line.
Evan Smallwood and his Jags wasted no time and drove for the touchdown in five plays as Smallwood linked up with running Dakarai Shanks on a 13 yarder with 2:01 to go in the half.
Spain Park promptly forced a three-and-out, but just as the momentum seemed to shift the Jaguars received a shot to the guy as the punt was fumbled and recovered by Thompson at the 21 yard line.
The Warriors quickly made them pay for the mistake as AJ Green ran in from the 16-yard line three plays later to bring the lead back to 14 just before halftime.
Thompson’s offense was helped again by a pair of Spain Park miscues to put the game out of reach in the third quarter.
The Jaguars went for an onsides kick immediately on the opening kickoff of the second half and caught the Warriors off-guard, but the ball bounced backwards and out of bounds giving Thompson the ball at the 42-yard line.
Sims returned after halftime and led the Warriors five plays with a 26-yard touchdown to a diving Kolby Hearn to cap the drive for a 28-7 lead. Hearn wrestled the highly-contested pass away for his first score of the season.
After a three-and-out, Sims and Hearn would hook up again—this time for 42 yards to put Thompson in business at the seven yard line. This time, sophomore running back Michael Dujon put the exclamation point on the drive with a seven yard TD run.
Zach Sims would finish 13-20 passing for 222 yards with a TD and added 37 yards rushing with a TD. Kolby Hearn had a career best 88 yards on four receptions with a touchdown. AJ Green would lead the Warriors on the ground again with 57 yards and two touchdowns.
Caleb Ballard led the defense with seven total tackles including one for loss. Tony Mitchell and Jayden Davis each added four tackles and two for loss while Peter Woods chipped in three tackles and a sack.
Thompson (2-2, 2-0) will hit the road next Friday, Sept 16 as they make their first trip to Chelsea since their move to Class 7A with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.
