Thompson spoils Mtn. Brook’s perfect season

Mountain Brook, AL – The Thompson Warriors (7-1, 5-1) put the breaks on Mountain Brook‘s (7-1. 5-1) perfect season Friday night taking down the previously unbeaten Spartans 31-7 Friday night.  

Thompson’s Shadrick Byrd put the Warriors on top 7-0 early with the first of his three scores of the night two minutes into the contest.  The Spartans answered back late in the opening quarter as Sam Higgins bolted into the endzone from just inside the Warrior 10 yard line.  

After Higgins’ first quarter score, Mark Freeman’s Warriors owned the Spartan Stadium Scoreboard.  Michael Pettway broke the 7-7 stalemate late early in the second quarter, hauling in an eight yard Taulia Tagovailoa pass putting the Warriors up 14-7.  Kicker Evan McGuire extended the Thompson lead to 17-7, splitting the uprights from just outside the Spartan 30 with less than a minute remaining in the opening half. 

After the break, Byrd took control of the Warrior ground game scoring the contests final two touchdowns, the first from eight years out late in the third, the other a dive from the Spartan one yard line seconds into the games final quarter.  

The win marks the Warriors third straight victory over the Spartans.  

Mountain Brook holds a 13-8 advantage all-time against the Warriors in a series that dates back to 1966.  

Thompson quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa completed 15 of 26 passes for 200 yards and a touchdown.  Shadrick Byrd lead the Warriors on the ground with three touchdowns on 22 carries for 110 yards.  James Mitchell was the visitors leading receiver hauling in five receptions for 73 yards.  

Mountain Brook signal caller Strother Gibbs completed 8 of 14 passes for 102 yards while senior running back A.J. Gates racked up 50 yards on 11 carries.  Hamp Green lead the Spartans receiving corps with five receptions for 68 yards.  

The four teams that are battling for the 7A region title meet next week with Mountain Brook traveling west to the Hoover Met to take on the 6-2, 5-1 Bucs.  Thompson plays host to the 7-2, 5-1 Hewitt-Trussville Huskies at Warrior stadium.  

 

 

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