High School

Thompson defeats Central-Phenix City to claim Alabama 7A state championship: Live updates recap

Three second-quarter touchdowns lift the Warriors over Central-Phenix City, 21-7, in a 7A title game rematch

Bob Lundeberg

Thompson's Michael Dujon breaks free for a touchdown run against Central-Phenix City.
Thompson's Michael Dujon breaks free for a touchdown run against Central-Phenix City. / Mickey Welsh / Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Central-Phenix City (10-2) and Thompson (10-3) are both playing their best football of the year entering Wednesday’s 7A state championship game rematch. 

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT from Protective Stadium in Birmingham. 

The Warriors dropped three regular-season games — all in overtime by a single point — but have ripped off four consecutive double-digit victories entering the final. It’s the seventh straight title game appearance for Thompson. 

The Red Devils lost a pair of October games to Auburn (38-33) and Opelika (23-14) before regrouping to win its next four contests. 

The two powers also met in last year’s 7A final with Central-Phenix City earning a 21-19 victory. Thompson had captured the previous four titles. 

Central-Phenix City is coached by Patrick Nix, the father of former Auburn and Oregon quarterback and current Denver Broncos starter Bo Nix. 

Mark Freeman, Thompson’s coach since 2015, guided the program to state championships in 2019-22. 

Both teams are loaded with Division I prospects. 

Central-Phenix City vs. Thompson Recap

First quarter

Coin toss: Thompson wins the toss and defers to the second half. Central-Phenix City will receive to open the game. 

Bo Nix sighting: The entire Nix family, including Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, is at the game. Patrick Nix is the head coach of Central-Phenix City. As the sideline reporter said, “you can’t spell Phenix City without Nix.” 

Underway: Central-Phenix City begins the game at its own 32. 

Touchdown Red Devils: Out of the Wildcat formation, Daylyn Upshaw runs in a four-yard touchdown. Very impressive first drive for the Red Devils, who lead 7-0 early. 

Warriors punt: Thompson goes three-and-out on its first drive. Central-Phenix City takes over at its own 29 following a Warriors punt. 

Red Devils driving: A third-down catch from Upshaw sets Central-Phenix City up with a first-and-10 at the Thompson 45. 

Red Devils punt: Cam Pritchett comes through with a big sack for Thompson. Warriors get the ball back at their own 14 late in the opening quarter. 

Warriors punt: Another possession, another three-and-out for Thompson. Central-Phenix City will have it at the Thompson 43 when play resumes. 

End of quarter: Central-Phenix City 7, Thompson 0

Second quarter

Warriors penalty: Thompson has now committed three pre-snap defensive penalties. This one turns a third-and-eight into a third-and-three. 

Red Devils punt: Warriors defense recovers to force a punt with another sack. Thompson takes over at its own 24. 

Warriors punt: Make it three drives and three three-and-outs for Thompson. The Warriors just can’t get anything going on offense. Central-Phenix City will begin at its own 28 following another punt. 

Red Devils punt: Both defenses have settled in, and now we’re trading punts in Birmingham. Thompson, still trailing 7-0, has yet to pick up a first down. Warriors ball at midfield. 

Warriors threatening: Darion Moseley hauls in a 45-yard pass to set up a first-and-goal from the 5. 

Touchdown Warriors: Trent Seaborn finds Moseley for a five-yard touchdown on third-and-goal. Thompson 7, Central-Phenix City 7, 6:02 remaining in the half. 

Red Devils punt: Thompson pass rush specialists Cameron Pritchett, Jared Smith and Noah Streeter have combined for four first-half sacks. Warriors will start at their own 21 with 4:17 left in the half. 

Touchdown Warriors: Michael Dujon rips off a 19-yard touchdown run to put Thompson up 14-7. That was a statement drive for the Warriors.

Red Devils fumble: Upshaw catches a pair of first-down passes, but the Miami signee puts it on the ground just outside the red zone, and Trent McCorvey falls on it. A huge defensive play for Thompson.

Warriors on the move: Thompson has a first-and-10 at the Central-Phenix City 12 with 25 seconds remaining. Warriors have two timeouts. 

Touchdown Warriors: Darion Moseley catches his second touchdown of the game — this time from 12 yards out — for a 21-7 Thompson lead. The Warriors have dominated the second quarter of this game. 

Halftime: Thompson 21, Central-Phenix City 7. Warriors will get the ball to start the second half. 

Halftime update

Thompson coach Mark Freeman: Freeman said the Warriors were nervous to start the game, but settled in and played much better during the second quarter with the wind at their back. There is a little bit of a breeze tonight. 

Thompson stats: Trent Seaborn is 8 of 14 passing for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Darion Moseley has three catches for 62 yards and two TDs. 

Central-Phenix City stats: Andrew Alford is 8 of 10 passing for 132 yards. Daylyn Upshaw has six receptions for 99 yards and four carries for 20 yards and a touchdown.

Third quarter

Underway: Thompson, which closed the first half on a 21-0 run, begins the third quarter at its own 20. 

Warriors timeout: On fourth-and-one from midfield, Thompson elects to take a timeout to think it over. 

Warriors punt: Thompson goes conservative and punts it away to Central-Phenix City. Red Devils take over at their own 24. 

Daylyn Upshaw: I’m not sure why he’s only a three-star prospect. Miami is getting a steal. Upshaw is electric. 

Red Devils marching: Central-Phenix City is 3 for 3 on third down to start this drive. Red Devils have it first-and-10 at the Thompson 32. 

Turnover on downs: On fourth-and-eight from the 11, Central-Phenix City passes on a field goal try and Alford’s throw into the end zone falls incomplete. Big stand for the Thompson defense. 

Warriors punt: Central-Phenix City’s defense gets a big stop, and the Red Devils will take over at their own 25 with 44 seconds remaining in the third quarter. 

End of quarter: Thompson 21, Central-Phenix City 7. Warriors are 12 minutes away from their fifth state title since 2019. 

Fourth quarter

Red Devils on the move: On the first play of the fourth quarter, Upshaw picks up a nice gain to the Thompson 43. 

Interception: Anquon Fegans picks off his sixth pass of the season and returns it to the Thompson 48. Another big takeaway for the Warriors. 

Red Devils respond: The Central-Phenix City defense comes through with a pick of its own as Briggs Cameron intercepts an errant pass. Red Devils will begin at their own 19, 7:06 remaining in the game. 

Red zone alert: Behind Donovan Crow’s physical running, Central-Phenix City is in the red zone. 

Red Devils timeout: Central-Phenix City, facing a fourth-and-11 from the 15, takes its first timeout with 4:03 remaining. 

Turnover on downs: Alford’s throw into the end zone is a little too high for his intended target. Another great stand for the Thompson defense. 

Call stands: Seaborn was down at the 1 yard line. Thompson can end this game by kneeing out the clock, but the Warriors might want one more touchdown. 

Final score: Thompson 21, Central-Phenix City 7. The Warriors score all 21 of their points in the second quarter to win their fifth state title since 2019. 

Pregame

Weather update: A light rain is falling at Protective Stadium. It is supposed to let up as we get later into the evening.

Weather: We are closing in on one hour until kickoff at Protective Stadium. It’s going to be a nice evening for football in Birmingham. Temperate should be around 50 degrees at kickoff with some light precipitation.

Central-Phenix City offensive leaders: Senior quarterback Andrew Alford (147 of 241 passing, 2,169 yards, 26 touchdowns, four interceptions); Senior running back Tristan Williams (176 carries, 1,232 yards, 19 touchdowns; Senior wide receiver Daylyn Upshaw (62 catches, 1,008 yards, 16 touchdowns, three-star Miami signee); Offensive tackle Mal Waldrep (three-star Alabama signee)

Thompson offensive leaders: Sophomore quarterback Trent Seaborn (201 of 311 passing, 2,545 yards, 24 touchdowns, six interceptions, four-star prospect); Senior running back Michael Dujon (125 carries, 986 yards, 15 touchdowns); Sophomore wide receiver Darion Moseley (43 catches, 696 yards, 11 touchdowns); Junior running back/wide receiver R.J. Evans II (905 total yards, eight total touchdowns)

Central-Phenix City defensive leaders: Junior edge rusher Tristan Lyles (69 total tackles (28 for loss), 11 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries, five pass breakups, four forced fumbles, double-digit Division I offers); Junior linebacker Brennan Core (101 total tackles (eight for loss), four sacks, four pass breakups)

Thompson defensive leaders: Senior edge rusher Jared Smith (83 total tackles (21 for loss), 10 sacks, four pass breakups, four-star Auburn signee); Senior defensive back Anquon Fegans (72 total tackles (nine for loss), five interceptions, seven pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, four-star Auburn signee); Senior linebacker Trenton Cheatom (109 total tackles (nine for loss), two sacks, five pass breakups; Senior linebacker Vini Pires (84 total tackles (five for loss))

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Bob Lundeberg | @sblivesports

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Bob Lundeberg
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