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The Thompson Warriors dominated Austin from start to finish to claim a first-round playoff victory on Friday, Nov. 8. (Reporter photo/Keith McCoy)

In a matchup of defending state champs, the Thompson Warriors will host the Oxford Yellow Jackets on Saturday, Aug. 22, to kick off the 2020 high school football season. (File)

By SETH HAGAN | Special to the Reporter

ALABASTER – Mark Freeman and the Thompson Warriors could teach a master class in how to bounce back.

Two weeks after taking their first loss of the season at Hewitt-Trussville, the Warriors answered their critics and overwhelmed the Austin Black Bears with a huge first half on the way to a resounding 54-20 win in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs in front of the home crowd on Friday, Nov. 8.

Thompson (9-1) had fallen out of the No. 1 ranking which they had held for most of the 2019 season, but quickly reminded the entire state how dangerous they can be.

The first play of the game was a harbinger of things to come as the initial snap sailed over quarterback Quincey Crittendon’s head and was recovered by Peter Woods in the red zone to give the Warriors easy field position.

They scored immediately as Sam Reynolds took a pitch from Sawyer Pate and sprinted into the left corner of the end zone for the 7-0 lead just 15 seconds into the game.

Austin could only muster one first down on its next drive, and Thompson quickly struck again on the other end. The return of Jarrett Crockett at running back was a welcome sight in Warriors Stadium and after he broke off a couple big runs Pate hit a streaking Ryan Peppins in stride for a 42-yard score. It was Peppins’ first score of the year, but he made his mark again later in the game.

The defense had its best half of the year by far and dominated the line of scrimmage to the tune of eight tackles for loss before halftime—a season high.

The special teams unit got involved early as well and blocked the second punt backwards and recovered another turnover in the Black Bears’ red zone.

Pate quickly zipped a pass to Tre Roberson on a back shoulder fade route for another easy score and a 21-0 lead. After forcing their first three-and-out of the evening, the Warriors’ offense began their next drive in Austin territory and made quick work of the possession.

It didn’t take long for Crockett to bust his biggest run of the night all the way to the house from 38 yards out for Thompson’s final score of the opening quarter.

The second quarter continued much like the first as the Warriors drove deep into Austin territory before Crockett ended his night with a 4-yard rushing touchdown.

He finished with 57 yards on eight carries and also had a reception for 27 yards.

Thompson went on to tack on two more scores before halftime as Pate found his favorite target, Michael Pettway, on a 57 yarder (his 14th TD reception of the year) and then answering Austin’s lone score of the half with another touchdown pass to Peppins with six seconds to go from 26 yards out.

To say the Warriors had a perfect half isn’t hyperbole, Pate finished the half going a perfect 12-of-12 for 226 yards and four touchdowns to bring his season total to 33 with just four interceptions.

Thompson took a comfortable 47-7 lead into the locker room. Pettway put an exclamation point on the victory as the second half kickoff sailed between himself and Reynolds, then bounced straight into the air forcing a difficult return.

His confidence never wavered as he made the first defender miss then split a pair of defenders to break into the open field to gas the rest of the Black Bears.

It was Pettway’s second kick return for a touchdown this season and Thompson’s third of the year. Pettway finished the night with four receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown.

Thompson’s defense finished with 11 tackles for loss on the strength of career nights from Damion Ugbo and Jeremiah Alexander.

Ugbo’s 4.5 tackles for loss were the most by any Warrior this season while Alexander’s 2.5 sacks were a career high.

The two have combined for more than 30 TFL in 2019. Senior running back JoJo Gaiters led Thompson in rushing going with 66 yards on 14 attempts, while Brandon Franklin added 46 yards on 10 carries.

Peppins finished with 68 yards on his two touchdown receptions—both career highs.

Thompson will host Florence on Friday, Nov 15 at 7 p.m. in a rematch of last year’s first round playoff matchup. Florence upset Mountain Brook on a last second field goal to advance with a 24-21 win.

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