The #6 Hewitt-Trussville Huskies travel to Warriors Stadium to face the #2 Thompson Warriors in a critical Class 7A, Region 3 game on Friday night. The Huskies come into the game with one region loss, while Thompson is undefeated in the region. A big game for both teams for the region title and playoff seeding.
Thompson has won the last three matchups, and the Huskies hope to turn it around in this upcoming game. "You have to play good sound football when you play in these games if you want to win this type of game," said Huskies head coach Josh Floyd. "You can't have penalties, turnovers; special teams break downs that it comes down to. You can't get yourself in second and long, third and long; those are hard for any offense, especially when you are playing excellent defense. You want to be able to control yourself in these types of games." Last week against Clay-Chalkville, the Thompson defense created four turnovers with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Hewitt-Trussville might not be able to recover if that happens to them.
Hewitt-Trussville has a lot of weapons on offense, starting with quarterback Peyton Floyd. "Peyton is having a good start to the year," said Huskies head coach Josh Floyd. "We have been pretty efficient on offense, but Peyton understands the offense and takes control of it on Friday nights. He has done a great job of protecting the football." For the season, Floyd has completed 102-of-146 passing for 1,380 yards with 14 touchdowns and two interceptions, along with 335 yards on 87 carries and nine touchdowns. Floyd has been the Husky's most outstanding offensive player through the first six games.
At running back, Kennedy Mitchell and Jaqson Melton will get carries. "Kennedy is a powerful running and has caught a few balls out of the backfield and has done a great job for us," added Floyd. "He is a strong runner with good speed when he gets in the open field. He is getting better throughout the year." Mitchell has 257 yards on 46 carries with four touchdowns, and Melton has 289 yards on 29 carries and three touchdowns on the season.
At the receiver position, the Huskies have some big play guys. Jadon Loving, Kadarius Barnes, Jacob Serena, and Brett Moseley will be the Huskies' passing game targets. Loving has 387 yards on 25 receptions and four touchdowns, Barnes has 312 yards on 20 receptions and five touchdowns, and Moseley has 216 yards on 14 receptions and two touchdowns. Tight end Donovan Price has 210 yards on 18 receptions and one touchdown on the season.
"We want to embrace the moment and fun this week," said Floyd. "Not everybody gets to play in these big-time games. At some time in a game, you have to be able to run the football. We want to be balanced on offense, but you have to execute at a high level. We must be us but adjust to what a defense will do."
The offensive line is excellent. Three-year starter Kade Martin has a lot of experience on the line, starting as a freshman. Skyler Carrillo, Braden Valdez, Trace Wilbanks, and center Trevor Pruet round out the offensive line. "Kade has got stronger every year along with improving his technique," said Floyd. "He understands the offense and understands what to do. He can play every position on the line. He is a very versatile player. He is like having another coach on the field." Martin has college offers from Vanderbilt, Central Florida, Nebraska, Troy, Arkansas State, and a few others.
The defense has been strong all season. Alabama commitment Hunter Osborne leads the way. Nose guard Tyrell Averhart is a run-stopper but can also get to the quarterback on passing downs. Averhart leads the team with 14.5 tackles for loss and five sacks on the season. South Florida commitment Connor Knight is having a solid season. Knight played at Pinson Valley last year. Also, Ayden Moore has done an excellent job for the Husky's defense. "Our defense has played well," added Floyd. "It will take a great effort. They have a lot of weapons. We have our hands full, but I'm proud of our defense. Every play matters."
One guy that is having a big year is defensive lineman Averhart. "Tyrell is a heck of a player, very athletic for his size," said Floyd. "He is a guy that is hard to block. Last season, he led our team in TFLs and sacks. He plays with a high motor. We'll need a great effort from our defensive line."
Braylon Chatman, Zavier Austin, Nick Hill, and Hunter Jones are in the linebacker position. Jones leads the team in tackles with 69 on the season. Chatman is coming off 12 tackles, 3 TFL, and a sack against Huffman last week.
Tennessee commitment Rickey Gibson is a big-time player at the corner position. Not many teams like to throw his way. Hoover tested him in the end zone, and Gibson picked off a Bucs pass to wipe away a scoring opportunity. Mark Smith, Gavin Williams, and safety Riggs Dunn get playing time in the secondary. "Riggs is kind of QB of the defense," added Floyd. "He communicates for us and has a high football IQ. He is a good athlete that runs very well with great toughness."
Riley Rigg handles the kicking duties for the Huskies.
Thompson is coming off a big win over #1 6A Clay-Chalkville last week. Thompson limited a high-power Cougars offense to only 14 points in the game. The Thompson defense turned away Clay-Chalkville twice in the game late in the fourth quarter.
"I think we will be in a battle," said Warriors head coach Mark Freeman. "I think the key for us is playing well on offense because I believe our defense will play at a high level. We have many inexperienced kids who are finding out what they can do. I think they will get better on offense. Can we hold their offense down? That will be a key in the game."
Junior quarterback Zach Sims lead the Warrior's offense. Sims has completed 69-of-105 passing for 842 yards for the season with five touchdowns and four interceptions. Eighth-grader Trent Seaborn has completed 13-of-22 passing for 218 yards with three touchdowns and no interception.
Running back AJ Green is special at running back. Green has 518 yards on 91 carries with seven touchdowns. Michael Dejon will get some carries for the Warriors. "AJ practices 100 percent every day," said Freeman. "He runs the ball in practice like he is in a game. Great, great person. He is a smart player that can catch the ball out of the backfield. Michael is really good. We have two outstanding backs." Last week against Clay-Chalkville, Green rushed for 149 yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns in the win.
The receiving play has been good. Duece Oliver has the most experience in the group. Korbyn Williams, Roman Mothershed, and Kolby Hearn will get playing time. Williams has 27 receptions for 245 yards and three touchdowns, while Oliver has 20 receptions for 246 yards and two touchdowns. Against Clay-Chalkville, Hearn had the best catch of the night on a crossing play in the back of the end zone, but a holding call wiped out the play. At tight end, Jeffrey Kimochu is the blocking back, while Ryan Walker caught a big pass to set up a touchdown for the Warriors last week.
Michigan State commitment Stanton Ramil leads the offensive line. Steven Lillich, Dylan Marquess, Hunter Holtzman, and Walker round out the offensive line for the Warriors. They have been steady all season while making holes for the Warriors running backs.
The defense is excellent but has to replace a couple of starts that were injured a couple of weeks ago. Defensive lineman Elijah Williams is out for the season. Williams was a big run stopper, and safety Kaleb Harris is out. Two key players in that Warrior's defense. Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods could be the best player in high school. He can get to the opposing QB or stuff the running play. Last week, he created a fumble by running 20 yards and tackling a receiver down the field.
Defensive linemen Dylan Willis, Hayden McDonald, Jacary McCurry, Caleb Ballard, and Dylan Campbell will get snaps. Ballard had a monster game with six tackles, 3 TFL, two sacks, and a fumble recovery last week. "Caleb has been a good newcomer coming off an injury," Freeman added. "He had some big impact plays. We have watched him mature and grow up. I thought he played great, and his best days are ahead of him."
Linebackers Seth Hampton, Jake Ivie, Jayden Davis, and Kelby Taylor get playing time. Last week against Clay-Chalkville, Ivie intercepted the last Cougars drive to give Thompson the win. The key for Thompson is if their front seven can get pressure on the Husky's offense.
Alabama commitment Tony Mitchell, Anquon Fegans, Peyton Lewis, and Josiah Ward play the secondary for the Warriors. Mitchell can play safety but has been moved to corner this season. Lewis had to fill in for Harris and played a solid game against the Cougar's speedy receivers. "Peyton did good," said Freeman. "Maybe the speed of the game got him a little bit. We were delighted with Peyton. The game was not too big for him. Looking forward to what he can do in these upcoming games. He did exceptionally well playing the team that we just faced." Mitchell knows how important communication is for the Warrior's secondary with Harris out at safety. Fegans had an interception and a fumble recovery against Clay-Chalkville last week.
John Allen McGwire kicked a 35-yard field goal that turned out to be the difference in the game last week.
Look for two talented defenses trying to limit both offenses Friday night. The key will be what defense can turn a few turnovers into scoring plays for their team.
