<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1BmutR_1H4ZURRi00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1BmutR_1H4ZURRi00" width="1200" height="675" >Thanks to Coosa Pines Federal Credit Union for supporting our coverage this season.ALABASTER – Thompson had three weeks to prepare for its playoff rematch with Hoover, and the Warriors showed little sign of rust when they finally returned to the field Friday night.Behind a prolific performance from quarterback Trent Seaborn and a receiving corps that repeatedly stretched Hoover's defense, Thompson pulled away for a 42-14 victory over the Buccaneers in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs.The Warriors (9-1) advance to the quarterfinals, where they will face Opelika in a rematch of last year's Class 7A state championship game. Thompson defeated the Bulldogs 48-10 to claim its sixth state championship in seven years.Against Hoover, Thompson's offense was firing on all cylinders, particularly through the air. Seaborn completed 21 of 25 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns, finding Darion Moseley for all three of his scoring passes. Dedrick Kimbrough also provided a major spark with three catches for 150 yards.The Warriors were especially effective at answering Hoover whenever the Buccaneers threatened to build momentum.Thompson opened the scoring late in the first quarter after Seaborn connected with Kimbrough on a 69-yard strike to put the Warriors at the Hoover 1-yard line. Urijah Casey finished the drive with a short touchdown run, giving Thompson a 7-0 lead with 1:10 remaining in the opening quarter.Hoover answered with a lengthy scoring drive of its own. Paxton Weatherly helped move the Buccaneers into the red zone before Jordan Williams finished the possession with a 1-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 7-7 with 10:39 remaining in the first half.The tie did not last long.After a defensive penalty gave Thompson a fresh set of downs, Seaborn found Moseley behind the defense for a 40-yard touchdown, restoring the Warriors' lead at 14-7.Thompson's defense then delivered a major special teams play when Kevin Davis broke through to block a Hoover punt, giving the Warriors possession at the Buccaneers' 33-yard line.The offense capitalized. Seaborn connected with Moseley on a slant to move Thompson into the red zone before Casey punched in his second touchdown of the night from 2 yards out. The score extended the advantage to 21-7 with 45 seconds remaining in the first half.Hoover had opportunities to make things interesting, but Thompson carried its two-touchdown advantage into halftime.The Warriors came out of the break looking to create some separation, and Seaborn wasted little time finding Kimbrough again. The senior quarterback connected with the receiver on a deep post for a 75-yard gain, setting up a 10-yard touchdown run by Darion Moseley on a designed pitch.Thompson led 28-7 with 7:53 remaining in the third quarter.Hoover responded with perhaps its biggest offensive play of the night.On the first play of the Buccaneers' ensuing possession, Weatherly found an opening and raced 80 yards for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 28-14 just moments after Thompson had appeared to put the game out of reach.The Warriors quickly answered again.Seaborn moved the offense downfield with completions to Moseley and Bralen Coleman before CJ Cowley broke through for a 28-yard touchdown run. The score restored Thompson's three-touchdown cushion at 35-14 with 5:44 left in the third quarter.Hoover put together another promising possession later in the quarter, moving inside the Thompson 15-yard line. However, the Warriors' defense came up with one of its biggest stands of the night, stopping Williams on a fourth-and-short attempt at the 11-yard line to turn the Buccaneers away.That defensive stand helped seal the outcome.Thompson took advantage of the change in possession and continued to move the ball effectively into the fourth quarter. After Seaborn connected with Coleman for a big gain and the Warriors worked their way inside the 10-yard line, Moseley caught an 8-yard touchdown pass on an RPO slant.The third touchdown connection between Seaborn and Moseley made it 42-14 with 7:51 remaining, putting the game firmly out of reach.Moseley finished with seven catches for 96 yards and three touchdowns, while Kimbrough's three receptions accounted for 150 yards. Coleman added four catches for 55 yards.Casey finished with two rushing touchdowns, while Cowley contributed six carries for 53 yards and a score.Hoover's Weatherly was a bright spot for the Buccaneers, finishing with 11 carries for 126 yards and a touchdown. Williams added a rushing score, while quarterback Kaleb Freeman completed 11 of 17 passes for 117 yards.For Thompson head coach Mark Freeman, the victory was a testament to how his team handled an extended break between games. The Warriors had not played since their Oct. 23 victory over Oak Mountain, giving them three weeks to prepare for the postseason.Freeman said the time off did not appear to affect his players' execution.“I just thank God that I get to coach those kids,” Freeman said. “We had a lot of time off, and we worked them really hard these past three weeks. It showed tonight, I really don't think we were very rusty.”Freeman acknowledged some defensive penalties that allowed Hoover to extend possessions but was pleased with the overall performance, particularly the way Thompson responded whenever the Buccaneers found momentum.“We stayed with it all game. We answered every time Hoover got some momentum going,” Freeman said. “It was a good night. I was most impressed by how we answered every time Hoover made a play. You can't ask for more from your kids.”He also praised Kimbrough, pointing to the receiver's combination of size, speed and ball skills.“Dedrick's got all the intangibles: he's tall, he's long, he can run, he's got great ball skills,” Freeman said. “He knows where to get into his routes; just a great guy and I love seeing him be successful.”The victory continues a familiar postseason trend for Thompson, which has built a reputation for elevating its play during November and December. Freeman said the difficulty of the matchup was not lost on his team, particularly given the history between the two programs.“It's hard to beat a team twice, and it's especially hard to beat Hoover twice,” Freeman said. “We've played them a lot since I've been here. Usually we meet these guys in the semifinals; our region is a really tough region. Tonight, we came out on top.”Now the Warriors turn their attention to a familiar opponent and an opportunity to move one step closer to another championship.Opelika awaits in the quarterfinals, setting up a rematch of the 2025 Class 7A state championship, when Thompson dominated the Bulldogs 48-10 to secure its second consecutive title.The Warriors are three victories away from another state championship, but Freeman emphasized that his team is focused on taking the postseason one game at a time.“We've got to keep working, one win at a time,” Freeman said. “We all know what our goals are. I want these kids to enjoy each opportunity, going out and glorifying and honoring God each week. Our kids do that. I'm proud of our coaches, as well.”For Thompson, Friday's performance was another step toward a familiar destination. The Warriors will get their next opportunity to continue that journey against Opelika on Friday, Nov. 20.</div></body>

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ALABASTER – Thompson had three weeks to prepare for its playoff rematch with Hoover, and the Warriors showed little sign of rust when they finally returned to the field Friday night. Behind a prolific performance from quarterback Trent Seaborn and a receiving corps that repeatedly stretched Hoover's defense, Thompson...

Thompson pulls away from Hoover, sets up rematch with Opelika

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ALABASTER – Thompson had three weeks to prepare for its playoff rematch with Hoover, and the Warriors showed little sign of rust when they finally returned

Thompson pulls away from Hoover, sets up rematch with Opelika

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