Thompson Dominates Vestavia Hills with Second-Half Surge

Warriors Explode in Third Quarter to Secure Key Region Victory

ALABASTER, AL – The defending Class 7A state champion Thompson Warriors overcame a slow start to defeat the visiting Vestavia Hills Rebels on Friday night in north Shelby County. In a much-anticipated region matchup at Warrior Stadium, the second-ranked Warriors turned a narrow 7-3 halftime lead into a convincing 35-3 victory after a dominant second-half performance.

The win solidifies Thompson’s strong position in the region, improving their overall record to 4-1 and maintaining a perfect 3-0 record in region play. The loss drops the Rebels to 3-2 on the season and 1-2 in the region.

A Tale of Two Halves

The first half was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to find offensive rhythm. The Warriors managed a single touchdown to take a slight edge, while the Rebels’ defense held strong, limiting the high-powered Thompson offense and putting three points on the board.

However, the game’s complexion changed dramatically after halftime. Head Coach Mark Freeman’s Warriors came out of the locker room with renewed focus, erupting for 21 unanswered points in the third quarter. The offensive onslaught began with a methodical 74-yard drive, capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run from KJ Jackson.

Quarterback Trent Seaborn then took command, connecting with Trey Knight for a 20-yard touchdown pass. Seaborn continued to dismantle the Rebels’ defense, finding Dedrick Kimbrough for a 38-yard scoring pass that extended the lead and put the game out of reach.

Seaborn added a final touchdown in the fourth quarter, a 6-yard pass to Knight, sealing the comprehensive victory for the Thompson Warriors football team.

Standout Performances Power Thompson

Trent Seaborn delivered an exceptional performance, completing 18 of his 25 pass attempts for 292 yards and four touchdowns against one interception. His poise and accuracy were instrumental in the second-half explosion.

The receiving corps was equally impressive. Darion Moseley led all receivers with 101 yards on just three catches, showcasing his big-play ability. Dedrick Kimbrough was a reliable target, hauling in four passes for 80 yards and a score, while Pryce Lewis contributed four catches for 60 yards.

On the defensive side, the Warriors were stifling. They held the fifth-ranked Rebels to a mere 149 yards of total offense for the entire game. The Thompson defense was particularly effective against a Vestavia Hills team playing without its injured starting quarterback, Charlie Taaffe.

Looking Ahead

The Thompson Warriors will face a tough road test next week as they travel to take on the undefeated Clay-Chalkville Cougars (5-0, 2-0), ranked No. 2 in Class 6A. Meanwhile, head coach Rob Evans’ Rebels will look to bounce back, after bye week, when they welcome the Prattville Lions (3-2, 2-1) to Thompson Reynolds Stadium on October 3rd.