Mark Freeman and Thompson will vie for their sixth Class 7A state title in seven years Wednesday night against newcomer Opelika.
The Bulldogs have played in the Class 6A title game twice before but have never been in the 7A championship.
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The Warriors are 10-3 this season with narrow losses to Grayson, Ga. (34-23 in OT), Class 6A finalist Clay-Chalkville (28-24) and region rival Hoover (33-30). They are coming off a 35-34 semifinal win at Central-Phenix City, a team they played against in the last two 7A title games.
The Bulldogs also enter at 10-3. They recovered from back-to-back late-season blowout losses to Enterprise (42-20) and Central-Phenix City (42-6) to win their last four games and reach the championship.
AL.com asked several coaches who are familiar with the teams for some insight into the matchup.
Here’s a look at how the championship game breaks down:
In the playoffs:
Thompson: Defeated Carver-Montgomery 31-7, Mary G. Montgomery 54-0, Central-Phenix City 35-34
Opelika: Defeated Hewitt-Trussville 27-21, Baker 35-9, Auburn 31-28
How do you beat Thompson?
One coach answered that question simply.
“With a stick in their sleep. They are really, really good.”
Multiple coaches said Opelika will need to continue to run the ball well and keep it away from Alabama QB commit Trent Seaborn and the Thompson offense as much as possible.
“Their running game has made them really good,” one coach said. “And they’ve played good defense down the stretch. If they can do those things in this game and somehow force Thompson to make a few mistakes, they have a chance.”
The other big key for Opelika will be limiting turnovers.
“They can’t beat themselves,” one coach said. “You can’t give Thompson any freebies because they will take advantage of that. They are hard enough to stop without giving them extra possessions. The keys are trying to protect the ball and trying to generate some explosive plays on offense. That is hard because not many teams can match Thompson’s athleticism.”
How do you beat Opelika?
Thompson will need to load up defensively to stop the run.
Opposing coaches said Bulldog senior running backs CJ Johnson and Blake Johnson are “as good as they come.”
“You have to stop 3 (CJ Johnson) and 30 (Blake Johnson) and that is easier said than done,” one coach said. “Thompson will need to man up on defense against Opelika wide receivers Jalynn Washington and Dre Vann. Those are their two big-play guys. Thompson will need to play man so they can get more guys in the box to slow the run game down.”
Offensively, one coach said his team’s plan against the Bulldog defense was to take some shots downfield to open the offense.
“I think Thompson can do that,” he said. “We felt like we could beat them over the top, and I think coach (Mark) Freeman will see the same thing.”
Coaches also said getting out to a quick lead could be big for Thompson against Opelika’s ground-heavy attack.
Thompson’s Cam Pritchett points out who to block during a fumble recovery against Mary G. Montgomery during an AHSAA Class 7A quarterfinal playoff game at Warrior Stadium in Alabaster, Ala., Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com)Dennis Victory
Player to watch: Thompson
Cam Pritchett, junior, defensive lineman
The Oregon 4-star commit is one of the top 10 players in his class. At 6-foot-3, 231 pounds, he wrecked Central-Phenix City in last year’s 7A title game and could put a clamp on Opelika’s ground game Wednesday night. He has 87 tackles, 14 TFL, 15 QB hurries and 3 sacks through 13 games.
Opelika’s CJ Johnson drives the ball against Hewitt-Trussville during a 7A playoff game at Hewitt-Trussville High School in Trussville, Ala., Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)Will McLelland
Player to watch: Opelika
CJ Johnson, senior, running back
Johnson needs to have a big game for the Bulldogs to stay in contention. His 95-yard kickoff return and 57-yard fourth-quarter touchdown were keys to Opelika knocking off rival Auburn in the state semifinals. He has rushed for 944 yards and 9 TDs on 150 carries this season.
Thompson quarterback Trent Seaborn (12) passes the ball during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A semifinal playoff game against Central-Phenix City at Garrett-Harrison Stadium, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Phenix City, Ala. (Stew Milne | preps@al.com)Stew Milne
Stat sheet: Thompson
Junior QB Trent Seaborn has completed 245 of 339 pass attempts for 3,376 yards and 32 touchdowns. He has been intercepted 8 times. Three Thompson receivers have 7 TD receptions. Senior Trey Knight has 34 receptions for 446 yards, junior Darion Moseley has 64 receptions for 1,061 yards and senior Pryce Lewis has 54 receptions for 860 yards. Sophomore Dedrick Kimbrough has 42 receptions for 675 yards and 5 TDs. The Thompson ground game is led by sophomore Urijah Casey (86 attempts, 623 yards, 10 TDs). Senior KJ Jackson has 7 rushing TDs, while senior RJ Evans has 6. Defensively, senior Jermey Alo-Perry has 89 tackles, including 8 for a loss. Fellow senior Chance Strown has 88 tackles, including 15 for a loss. Senior Damonte Tabb has 9 interceptions. Junior James has 3.
Stat sheet: Opelika
Sophomore QB Whit Cooper was 10-of-11 for 109 yards in the Bulldogs’ win over rival Auburn in the semifinals. In 11 games this season, he is completing 61 percent of his passes for 903 yards and 8 TDs. Senior Blake Johnson has rushed for 283 yards and 10 TDs. Senior Jordan Waits has 527 yards and 4 TDs on 104 carries. The leading receivers are seniors Jalynn Washington (45 receptions, 507 yards, 4 TDs) and Dre Vann (34 receptions, 627 yards, 5 TDs). Defensively, the team is led by juniors Xavier Thomas (67 tackles) and Jamel Griffin (64 tackles). Thomas’ Pick 6 against Auburn gave Opelika a quick 7-0 lead.
Did you know? Thompson
The Warriors are playing in their eighth straight Class 7A state championship game. They’ve won five of the last six.
Did you know? Opelika
The Bulldogs are playing in their first Class 7A championship game. They played in a pair of 6A title games under former coach Brian Blackmon but are still looking for the first state football title in school history.
The coaches
Thompson head coach Mark Freeman watches play during the first half of an AHSAA Class 7A semifinal playoff game against Central-Phenix City at Garrett-Harrison Stadium, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Phenix City, Ala. (Stew Milne | preps@al.com)Stew Milne
Mark Freeman is 115-26 in his 11th season at Thompson. In 27 years as a head coach overall, he has a 279-63 record. He has won 11 state titles (5 at Thompson, 2 at Spanish Fort, 4 at Bessemer Academy).
Opelika head coach Bryan Moore celebrates their victory against Auburn High after an AHSAA Class 7A semifinal playoff game in Auburn, Ala., Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. (Julie Bennett | preps@al.com)
Julie Bennett | preps@al.com
Bryan Moore is 19-6 in his second year as head coach at Opelika. He is 105-27 in 11 years as a head coach overall. He went 26-9 in three years at Eufaula, 22-3 in two years at Jasper and 38-9 in four years at Hartselle. He has never missed the playoffs as a head coach.
Game within a Game
Opelika’s offensive line vs. Cam Pritchett and the Thompson defensive line.
“Opelika’s offensive line is better than people give them credit for,” one coach said. “The offensive front and running game of Opelika against the Thompson front seven could decide who wins the game.”
Another coach said Opelika likely will have to score in the 30s to win.
“I think Thompson will score some,” he said. “I don’t think Opelika will stop them too many times.”
Wildcards
1. Thompson’s big game experience. The Warriors have not only played in the last seven Class 7A state title games, they’ve also played big-time regular-season games against national powers like Grayson, Ga., and Lipscomb, Tenn.
2. Opelika special teams. Opelika junior kicker/punter Reese Beasley could be a difference maker for the Bulldogs. He has 50 touchbacks (out of 60 kickoffs) and is averaging 41.9 yards per punt. He is 34 of 38 on PATs and 13 of 20 on field goals with a long of 43.
3. The quarterback battle. Talk about an experience edge. Thompson’s Trent Seaborn, though only a junior, has started 44 consecutive games, including the last three state title games. Opelika sophomore Whit Cooper is playing in his 11th game.
Rankings/On the Air
Thompson was ranked No. 3 in the final Alabama Sports Writers Association poll following the regular season. Opelika was No. 10. In this week’s AL.com Power 25, which ranks teams regardless of classification, the Warriors are No. No. 2. Opelika is No. 5
All games will be played at Birmingham’s Protective Stadium and will be televised live over the Alabama Public Television Network and live video streamed over the NFHS Network.
AL.com predictions
Thompson 31, Opelika 21
