Alabama high school football rankings: Defending 7A state champion Thompson moves to No. 1

Thompson (Alabaster) moved to the top of this week's Alabama high school football rankings. Ranked No. 20 nationally by MaxPreps, the defending Class 7A state champions used impressive wins over No. 4 Oxford and No. 31 Sparkman (Harvest) to vault past previous No. 1 Hoover to the top spot.

Thompson is scheduled to host Tuscaloosa County (Northport) on Friday night.

Hoover dropped two spots in the computer rankings following a 62-0 win. Strength of schedule is a major factor in the rankings algorithm, giving Thompson and No. 2 Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville) the upper hand over the Bucs at this point in the season.

Four new teams entered this week, including Cullman, which climbed a whopping 30 spots to No. 18. St. Paul's Episcopal (Mobile), Fairhope and Oak Mountain (Birmingham) also earned spots in The Top 25 this week after impressive wins. 

* No. 1 Thompson defeated Sparkman, 39-7.

* No. 2 Hewitt-Trussville received a forfeit victory over Saraland.

* No. 3 Hoover defeated Bessemer City (Bessemer), 62-0.

* No. 4 Oxford defeated No. 13 Pleasant Grove, 29-28.

* No. 5 Auburn defeated Opelika, 27-10.

Will Ferrell, Bessemer Academy (Bessemer): Had four catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns, added one carry for 27 yards, two kickoff returns for 109 yards and contributed six tackles in a 37-25 loss to Glenwood.

Brayden Kyle, Decatur Heritage Christian Academy (Decatur): Threw for 360 yards and three TDs while rushing for 77 yards and one more score in a 35-27 loss to Colbert Heights.

Bennett Meredith, Spain Park (Hoover): Completed 15 of 20 passes for 391 yards and four touchdowns in a 52-21 win over Huntsville.

Rashawn Miller, Slocomb: The sophomore rushed 17 times for 263 yards and three touchdowns in a 48-41 loss to Geneva.

Harrison Wallace, Pike Road: Had four catches for 101 yards and two interceptions, returning each 55 yards for touchdowns in a 63-34 win over Montgomery Catholic.

According to al.com, Trey Higgins threw for 204 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for another as Oxford held on for the 29-28 win over Pleasant Grove. Kentucky commit Christian Lewis had nine catches for 188 yards and three scores for Pleasant Grove. All three scoring passes came from Charlotte commit Zyquez Perryman. Up 29-28, Oxford ran out the clock with a drive that chewed up the game's final 6:05.

* No. 2 Hewitt-Trussville (2-0) at No. 34 Spain Park (Hoover) (2-0), 7 p.m. Friday

* No. 12 Prattville (2-0) at No. 5 Auburn (2-0), 7 p.m. Friday

* No. 11 Gardendale (2-0) at No. 17 Pinson Valley (Pinson) (1-1), 7 p.m. Friday