By ERIC STARLING/For the Reporter

ALABASTER — The Thompson Warriors were excited to be back home in the friendly confines of Larry Simmons Stadium to face the Oak Mountain Eagles.

The Warriors lost starting quarterback, Zach Brammer to a season ending injury last week.

Starting in his place was Jordan Haywood, who had a good night under center, but the Eagles offense proved to be too much for the Warrior defense, coming away with a 49-23 win.

Oak Mountain got things going early with an 80-yard touchdown play.  On second and ten at their own 20-yard line, quarterback Warren Shader pitched out to Harold Shader on the sweep, and he ran eighty yards down the sideline for the score.  With 9:01 left in the first, Oak Mountain was up 7-0.

After stalling on their first drive, the Warriors offense came to life on their second series.  Starting at their own 32-yard line, used both the run and the pass to move the ball into Eagle territory.  After getting stuffed at the line on a first and ten play at the Eagle 31-yard line, Jordan Haywood dropped back to pass and hit Patrick Haywood in stride for the touchdown.  A David Buckelew extra point tied the score at seven.

The teams would then trade scores on their next series.  The Eagles’ 70-yard drive was capped off with a 4-yard run by Harold Shader for his second score of the night.

Thompson was stopped on its next drive, but a fumbled punt return by the Eagles and the Warriors had first and goal on the one yard line. Following his line, Jordan Haywood pushed in for the score and it looked like the Warriors were going to tie it up again.  The Warriors were penalized on the extra point and had to back up and do it again.  This time the kick went just right of the post leaving the score Oak Mountain 14, Thompson 13.

Thompson attempted an on-side kick and recovered, but the ball was just inches short of traveling 10 yards so the Eagles took possession. The Eagles would eventually fumble the ball to Thompson during the drive.

A tipped pass and an interception gave Oak Mountain the ball back at midfield. On the second play from scrimmage, Harold Shader again to the ball to the outside and scampered 48 yards to the end zone. After the extra point, the Eagles led 21-13 and took that lead to the half.

The Eagles came out in the second half red hot, scoring on their first four possessions.  An 18-yard scoring run by Harold Shader and a one yard score from Warren Shader and the Eagles were up 35-13.

Harold Shader got his last touchdown of the night on a 1-yard run with seconds left in the third quarter.

Coleman Reeves gave the Eagles their final touchdown with a 40-yard dash to paydirt with 7:22 remaining to be played.  Oak Mountain led 49-16.

The Thompson tandem of Haywood to Haywood would strike one more time for the Warriors.  Facing third and fifteen on their own 37-yard line, J. Haywood lofted a beautiful pass that dropped over P. Haywood’s shoulder as he cruised to the end zone.

Thompson will close out the season Oct. 30 when the Warriors host Chelsea for senior night.