Thompson knocks off Oxford in offensive slugfest

Alabaster, AL – The 7A Thompson Warriors stormed to a 56-34 victory over the 6A Oxford Yellow Jackets in the second annual Go Gold Bowl Saturday night at Warrior Stadium.  

The heavy weight bout pitted a pair of defending state champions – Thompson in Class 7A, Oxford in 6A – and the current top ranked teams in their respective weigh classes. 

The Warriors stormed to an early 21-0 advantage, finding pay-dirt on each of their first three possessions in route to a 495 yard offensive performance. 

Junior signal caller Connor Harrell exploded in his first start, completing 18-of-25 passes for 269 yards and three scores while pilling up 35 yards on nine carries and a pair of touchdowns on the ground.  

Army commit Tre Roberson hauled in eight catches for for 89 yards and a score while J.B. Mitchell recorded five grabs for 93 yards and a touchdown.  Jarrett Crocket lead the Warriors on the ground, scoring on three of his 17 carries in route to a 132 yard outing. 

Veteran Oxford quarterback Trey Higgins passed for 174 yards and four scores, connecting on 12-of-22 throws while running for 182 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.  The Mississippi State baseball commit lead the Yellow Jackets offense to a balanced season opener, racking up 171 yards through the air and 170 on the ground.  

Oxford returns to metro Birmingham next Friday night to take on the 5A Pleasant Grove Spartans (0-0).  Thompson travels to the Tennessee Valley to face the Sparkman Senators (0-1).