Warriors Run Away From Bulldogs in AHSAA Kick-Off Classic

The Thompson Warriors traveled down I️-65 to Montgomery for the AHSAA Kickoff Classic in a featured match with the Opelika Bulldogs to open the season. Both teams struggled to put points on the board initially, but ultimately it would be the Warriors who found their way scoring three touchdowns in the second quarter en route to a convincing 44-13 victory over the Bulldogs. 

The usual hiccups of a Week 0 game plagued the first quarter, but John McQuire’s 29-yard field goal started off a 24-point quarter for Thompson to finish the half with a flourish.

On their ensuing drive a big pass from Trent Seaborn to Deuce Oliver landed the offense at the four yard line and AJ Green trotted into the end zone to take a 10-0 lead with 6:43 left in the quarter.

Opelika answered with a 38-yard touchdown run, but the Warriors were up to the task. Safety Kaleb Harris busted a big kick return to the 40-yard line and the offense needed just three plays to retake their 10 point lead. Seaborn connected on three straight passes, including two of 36 and 12 yards to Kolby Hearn for the 17-7 lead.

Harris came up big again next—this time on defense. This time he picked off Roman Gagliano’s pass and returned it to the Bulldogs’ 15-yard line. Seaborn zinged his second TD to Oliver on the very next play for a big halftime lead.

Opelika had one final counterpunch and scored their second TD after holding the Warriors scoreless for the first ten minutes of the third quarter. However, all they did was wake up the giant again. 

Faced with a 80-yard drive, the Warriors made short work of the Opelika offense with a six play drive that took just 98 seconds punctuated by a 15-yard TD run from Michael Dujon. Dujon and junior Cameron Wells would tack on two more rushing scores in the fourth period. 

Seaborn finished a very efficient evening going 20-of-26 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns while receiver Deuce Oliver grabbed nine receptions for 118 yards and one TD. 

The Warriors will take on nationally ranked powerhouse IMG Academy in a Week 1 Thursday night August 31 matchup with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.