TRUSSVILLE, Alabama -- The #1 Thompson Warriors kept their undefeated record intact while going on the road and getting a 35-21 Class 7A, Region 3 huge win over the #3 Hewitt-Trussville Huskies Friday night at Trussville Stadium. Thompson scored all 35 points in the first half to improve to 5-0 on the season and 3-0 in region play. With the win, the Warriors have the inside lead the region title but still have a big game with Hoover coming up in the second half of the season.

The connection of Connor Harrell and his four Warriors wide receivers was the difference in the game. "A lot of heart and a lot of effort from our team," said Warriors Head coach Mark Freeman. "We played very well in the first half. Special teams hurt us so there are things that we need to clean up, but anytime you go on the road in this region and get a win take that win and go. We beat a very good football team."

Thompson scored first in the game when they had a short field when Hewitt-Trussville decided to go for a fourth and short but were turned away. A few plays later, the Warriors offense scored on a Harrell to Tre Roberson 31-yard touchdown pass play and with 9:56 left in the first quarter, Thompson led 7-0. With 6:14 left in the first quarter, Cade Carruth found Omari Kelly on a 11-yard touchdown pass over the middle of the end zone and the Huskies tied the game at 7-7.

With 11:12 left in the second quarter, Ryan Pippins caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Harrell and Thompson led 14-7 early in the second quarter. With 7:36 in the second quarter, Jarrett Crockett scored on a 5-yard touchdown run up the middle of the Huskies defense. Crockett came in the game a little bit banged up but looked good in his return this week. Right after the Thompson score, Sean Jackson busted open a big kickoff return to setup a Huskies score. On the next play with 7:17 left in the half, Armoni Goodwin scored on a 27-yard touchdown run.

After the Huskies score, Thompson came right back of a score of their own. The Harrell-Peppins connection scored again when Peppins out raced the Huskies secondary and scored on a 66-yard pass play for the Warriors. With the score, Thompson led 28-14 and they were not done scoring in the first half. With only :56 seconds left in the half, Harrell found a wide open Sam Reynolds for a touchdown and Thompson took a 35-14 halftime lead. 

With 3:35 left in the third quarter, Goodwin ripped of a huge 58-yard touchdown run and the Huskies cut the lead down to 35-21 in a lot of time remaining in the game. "We came out a lot better in the second half and it showed a lot of character by our team," said Huskies Head coach Josh Floyd. "To many mistakes in the first half. They are good and you can't make those mistakes against a very good team. We have to learn from this and we have to get better. Proud of the defense as they played really well in the second half."

The Huskies defense made some necessary changes in the second half to give the offense a chance to get back into it as Hewitt-Trussville didn't allow a Thompson score in the second half but the Warriors defense forced two fourth quarter turnovers that was huge for the Thompson win. Nathan Riddle recovered a big fourth down fumble and Triston Woody picked off a Huskies screen pass to finish off the Thompson win.

For Thompson, Harrell had another big night as he continues to shine at quarterback for the Warriors. The junior QB completed 17-of-23 passing for 325 yards and four touchdown. Peppins had six receptions for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Crockett finished the night with 119 yards on 21 carries with the one touchdown.

The Thompson defense was led by Jax Van Zandt who had 11 tackles and a forced fumble in the win. Jeremiah Alexander had six tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack in the first half. Woody had the big interception and eight tackles. 

Auburn commit Goodwin had 126 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns for the Huskies. Carruth was 14-of-25 for 144 yards with a touchdown and interception. 

Up next for both teams, Thompson will host #1 6A Mountain Brook while Hewitt-Trussville will travel to Huffman in a non-region games.