It's only been a month since
Hoover (Ala.) fought back from an 11-point
deficit to defeat two-time defending 7A Alabama champion
Thompson (Alabaster) 24-21
in what some described as an Instant Alabama Classic. It's quite
possible the rematch will be even better as the two MaxPreps Top 25
squads tangle in the state 7A semifinal Friday at Hoover.
The
visiting and No. 23 Warriors (11-1) have responded emphatically since
the defeat, their first after 27 straight victories, with big wins over
Florence, 49-10, and Oak Mountain (Birmingham), 45-7.
Thompson
piled up 939 total yards in the two victories and more importantly,
they returned four-star senior quarterback
Conner Harrell, who injured
his right hand in the first half against Hoover. To that point, Harrell,
a rangy and fleet 6-foot-1, 190-pounder, had completed 8 of 9 for 180 yards and two touchdowns.
How to watch
When: Friday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Hoover High School
Online streaming: NFHS Network
The
Warriors obviously missed the North Carolina commit in the second half when
No. 18 Hoover held them scoreless and got big performances from its own
quarterback
Bennett Meredith (22 of 37, 279 yards, three touchdowns) and
wide receiver
R.J. Hamilton (nine catches, 151 yards, one TD). Meredith is a Northwestern commit.
Thompson
was out against Florence, but last week returned in the second half to
complete 10 of 13 for 111 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore
Zach Sims, filling in for Thompson, was 11 of 16 for 191 yards and two scores
last week.
Conner Harrell (15) is expected to start and be at full strength for Thompson in its rematch with Hoover on Friday night.
File photo by Brandon Sumrall
While the Warriors were romping, Thompson had its second close call in three weeks, pulling out a 24-23 win over Hewitt-Trussville. Meredith connected with Hamilton for the go-ahead score to go up 24-17, before the Huskies scored a touchdown and went for two points and the win.
Terrell Jones deflected the potential game-winning conversion and now the Buccaneers get a rematch with Thompson.
For the season Harrell has thrown for 2,390 yards, 35 touchdowns and three interceptions. For his career (two seasons as a starter), he's thrown for 6,064 yards, 78 touchdowns and six interceptions. His favorite targets this season are
Ryan Peppins (67 catches, 1,054 yards, 18 TDs) and
Jaylen Ward (33, 773, 11).
Brandon Franklin has rushed for 614 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Thompson's star player is on defense, the state's No. 1 recruit from the Class of 2022, Alabama-bound defensive end
Jeremiah Alexander (80 tackles, eight sacks). He'll be joined at Alabama by four-star defensive back
Trequon Fegans (three interceptions).
For Hoover in its first 10 games, Meredith had passed for 2,212 yards and 23 touchdowns. Ten receivers had between 10 and 27 catches and no one had more than five touchdowns. Junior tailback
Ahamari Williams led the team with 913 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Defensive linemen
Markus Clark (Coastal Carolina commit) and Jones (Illinois) lead the defense.
Since 2004, Hoover has controlled the series with 13 wins over Thompson against six defeats. But last month's victory broke a five-game win streak for the Warriors.
Waiting on the other side of the bracket is the semifinal winner between Central (Phenix City), 12-0, and Auburn (10-2).
