Live Updates: No. 7 Opelika vs. No. 3 Thompson in AHSAA 7A State Championship; Preview, Scoring, Key Plays
Thompson and Opelika meet tonight in the AHSAA Class 7A championship at Protective Stadium, a matchup that pairs a proven dynasty against one of the year’s biggest surprises. The Warriors (10-3) are hunting their sixth title in seven seasons under Mark Freeman, while Opelika (10-3) arrives riding a hot streak and chasing the program’s first blue map.
Thompson is ranked No. 3 in the latest Alabama High School on SI state rankings, while Opelika comes in at No. 7.
Opening kick is scheduled for 7 p.m. Please be sure to follow this page and refresh often, as we will provide live scoring, highlights, key plays and other updates from the game in the “live updates” section below as they happen.
Opelika has won four straight and surged through the bracket with victories over Hewitt-Trussville, Baker, and archrival Auburn. Quarterback Whit Cooper has steadied the offense, while senior back CJ Johnson leads a run game that sets the tone. The Bulldogs average just under 28 points a game and have leaned on a rebuilt defense that has grown up fast after returning only one starter from last year.
Thompson enters as the favorite thanks to big-game experience and balance across the board. Quarterback Trent Seaborn, an Alabama commit, has thrown for more than 3,300 yards with 32 touchdowns and is surrounded by one of the deepest receiving groups in the state. The Warriors also flashed a revived ground attack in last week’s semifinal win over Central-Phenix City.
Defensively, Thompson has been sharp throughout the playoffs, allowing just over 11 points per game. Their veteran front and ball-hawking secondary will be tested by Opelika’s physical run game and timely play-action looks. The Bulldogs counter with a defense that has tightened each week and leaned on senior lineman Tremaine Thomas to anchor the box.
Thompson brings the championship pedigree. Opelika brings momentum and belief. Tonight’s game comes down to whether the Bulldogs can keep the Warriors’ offense off schedule and whether Thompson’s experience can withstand a team that has played its best football when it matters most.
For Opelika
Whit Cooper, QB, soph. – 67-for-110, 903 yards, 8 TDs, 3 INT
CJ Johnson, RB, sr. – 150 carries, 944 yards, 9 TDs
Jordan Waits, RB, sr. – 104 carries, 527 yards, 4 TDs
Blake Johnson, RB, sr. – 66 carries, 283 yards, 10 TDs
Dre Vann, WR, sr. – 34 receptions, 627 yards, 5 TDs
Jalynn Washington, WR, sr. – 45 receptions, 507 yards, 4 TDs
Darius Whitlow, OL, jr. – 51 pancake blocks
Julian Pritchett, OL, sr. – 47 pancake blocks
Korbin Fears, OL, jr. – 32 pancake blocks
Tremaine Thomas, DL, sr. – 38 tackles, 29 solo, 14 TFL, 8 sacks, 13 hurries
Braiden Howard, DB, jr. – 50 tackles, 33 solo, 1 TFL, 5 INT, 14 pass breakups, 1 TD
Reese Beasley, K, jr. – 34-for-38 on PAT attempts; 13-for-20 on field goals with a long of 43 yards
For Thompson
Trent Seaborn, QB, jr. – 245-for-339, 3,376 yards, 32 TDs, 8 INT; 47 carries, 75 yards, 5 TDs
Urijah Casey, RB, soph. – 86 carries, 623 yards, 10 TDs
RJ Evans, RB, sr. – 84 carries, 362 yards, 6 TDs
Darion Moseley, WR, jr. – 64 receptions, 1,061 yards, 7 TDs
Pryce Lewis, WR, sr. – 54 carries, 860 yards, 7 TDs
Dedrick Kimbrough, WR, soph. – 42 receptions, 675 yards, 5 TDs
Trey Knight, WR, sr. – 34 receptions, 446 yards, 7 TDs
Chance Strown, LB, sr. – 88 tackles, 57 solo, 15 TFL, 6 sacks, 4 hurries, 1 INT, 2 pass breakups
Jermey Alo-Perry, LB, sr. – 89 tackles, 59 solo, 8 TFL
Cam Pritchett, DL, jr. – 87 tackles, 52 solo, 15 TFL, 3 sacks, 15 hurries, 2 fumble recoveries
Chauncy Alo, LB, sr. – 75 tackles, 50 solo, 15 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 10 hurries
Ami Moala, DL, sr. – 67 tackles, 36 solo, 14 TFL, 2 sacks, 8 hurries
Damonte Tabb, DB, sr. – 68 tackles, 44 TFL, 4 TFL, 9 INT, 9 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovery
Eli King, DB, soph. – 36 tackles, 23 solo, 4 INT, 4 pass breakups
Ethan Black, K, jr. – 58-for-61 on PAT attempts; 6-for-8 field goals with a 37-yard long
1Q
2Q
3Q
4Q
Final
Opelika
0
Thompson
6
Coin toss: Opelika won the opening toss and deferred to the second half, allowing Thompson to receive the opening kick.
The temperature was clear and 40 degrees at kickoff.
A touchback allowed Thompson to begin the opening drive at its own 20. Thompson’s first play was a 29-yard run by RJ Evans to move the ball to the Warriors’ 49. A pass to Pryce Lewis on the third play pushed the ball to the Opelika 20.
FIELD GOAL! Thompson’s Ethan Black booted a 27-yard field goal with 9:00 left in the first quarter to take a 3-0 lead. The Warriors are happy with the points, but penalties took four off the board.
Opelika began its first drive with 8:51 left in the first quarter at its own 27.
PUNT! Opelika lost three yards on its possession and punted it back to Thompson’s 24 with 6:53 left in the first.
Thompson quickly flipped the field and moved the ball to Opelika’s 20 in just three plays — keyed by a long run from Urijah Casey.
FIELD GOAL! With 5:08 left in the first quarter, Thompson junior kicker Ethan Black booted his second field goal in as many possessions. The 36-yarder made it 6-0, Warriors.
Opelika’s second possession began at its own 23 with 4:58 left.
PUNT! Opelika went three-and-out on its second drive and punted it back to Thompson’s 31 with 3:16 remaining. Thompson has dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides early on.
Urijah Casey went down with an injury to his lower half on the first play of Thompson’s drive.
Thompson quarterback Trent Seaborn took a shot went down with an injury with 1:09 left in the first with the Warriors driving deep in Opelika territory. Zealand Danielson took over and gained 5 yards on a carry on the Warriors’ first play after the injury.
The first quarter ended with Thompson driving at the Opelika 7.
End 1: Thompson 6, Opelika 0
Trent Seaborn came back into the game for the Warriors on the first play of the second quarter.
TOUCHDOWN! On third-and-6 from the Opelika 7, Seaborn found receiver Trey Knight on a 7-yard pass. Ethan Black made the PAT to give the Warriors a 13-0 lead. The touchdown was Seaborn’s first play back after being shaken up by injury. He missed two plays.
Opelika’s next possession began at its own 26.
PUNT! The Bulldogs went three-and-out for the third straight possession and punted it back to Thompson’s 40 with 10:40 left in the half.
INJURY NOTE: Thompson sophomore running back Urijah Casey, who was injured on the first play of the Warriors’ last touchdown drive, is now on crutches on the sideline and isn’t expected to return to the game. He finished with 43 yards rushing. It’s a blow to Thompson’s offense.
Key Penalties: Opelika was flagged for three encroachment penalties in near succession to help Thompson convert a first down and set up first-and-goal at the Opelika 3.
TOUCHDOWN! RJ Evans bullied his way through a scrum and scored on a 3-yard run before Ethan Black made the PAT to extend Thompson’s lead to 20-0 with 6:37 to go in the half.
INTERCEPTION! Opelika quarterback Whit Cooper threw one up for grabs, and Thompson linebacker Chauncy Alo picked it off at the Opelika 37 with 5:41 left in the half. Opelika challenged for a targeting call, but the play stands. Thompson took over with great field position and a 20-0 lead.
TOUCHDOWN! On fourth-and-6, Trent Seaborn threw a perfect strike on a fly route to Pryce Lewis for 33 yards. Ethan Black’s PAT made it 27-0 with 4:48 left in the half.
Opelika, still searching for its first first down, and with only 1 yard rushing, began its next drive at its own 19.
Opelika’s first first down came with 4:20 left in the first half.
PUNT! A holding penalty killed Opelika’s drive, and they booted the ball back to Thompson. A shanked punt gave the ball to the Warriors at the Opelika 39 with 1:58 left in the half.
TOUCHDOWN! Thompson’s first play after the punt was a pass from Trent Seaborn to Pryce Lewis for 39 yards. It’s Seaborn’s third touchdown pass of the game. Ethan Black kicked the PAT to make it 34-0 with 1:46 left in the half. The score put Lewis at 99 yards receiving for the game.
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