Jeremiah Alexander could feel it. Thompson’s senior pass rusher put his hands on his hips and scanned the stands, his work for the night mostly done.
It was technically a road game, but the visiting sea of white shirts and poms filled the Hoover Met with cheers. Alexander had just returned a ball 50-plus yards for a touchdown, the interception literally falling into the hands of the Alabama commit.
“We can’t hear you,” Thompson fans shouted.
They were addressing Hoover fans, but also potentially anyone who questioned Thompson’s dynasty when its 27-game winning streak ended on Oct. 11. That night, in this same venue, Hoover claimed the latest rivalry win. Friday’s script was nearly the complete opposite. Alexander and Thompson drowned out Hoover’s offense in the 35-10 victory.
With the win, Thompson (12-1) advanced to the Super 7 for the fourth-straight season and earned a chance to complete its Class 7A three-peat.
Thompson quarterback Conner Harrell was outstanding in his first start in over a month. The North Carolina commit delivered three first-half touchdowns and another in the second. Meanwhile, Hoover’s Bennett Meredith, committed to Northwestern, exited in the opening half and never returned.
At first, Harrell — who missed part of the initial meeting between these teams with an injury — carved up the Hoover defense with the read-option. He consistently found space up the middle before hitting Justin Pegues for the game’s opening score. Harrell later added touchdown passes of 29 and 42 yards.
Thompson’s highly-recruited pass rushers energized the defense. Alexander and 5-star junior Peter Woods, who caused the earlier defensive score, collapsed the pocket and Meredith spent much of his time backpedaling and looking for space.
While the score was close, Hoover had two drives cross into the red zone. Both ended in field goal attempts, one of which was blocked. Senior quarterback Evan Reeder entered for Meredith and completed a few more crossers over the middle, but it was too late.
Star of the game: This can be split between Harrell and Ryan Peppins. Each did their part on a trio of highlight touchdowns. Harrell completed 11-of-12 passes for 142 yards and four touchdowns for Thompson, also running for 39 yards. Peppins, a 5-foot-8 senior committed to Western Kentucky, was the game’s leading receiver with six catches for 121 yards and three scores.
Key moment: In the second quarter, Harrell ran to his right on a designed rollout. While a pair of receivers flooded the wide side of the field, Peppins leaked behind the secondary for a 42-yard dart. A few Hoover players stared and pointed at one another as Peppins crossed the goal line. If Thompson didn’t already have complete control of the game, the Warriors did after Peppins’ longest touchdown.
Stat sheet: Thompson’s Woods and Alexander combined for three sacks, an interception and touchdown. … Reeder passed for 232 yards and a touchdown for Hoover. … Meredith completed three passes for 20 yards. Hoover outgained Thompson 358 yards to 261.
Coachspeak: “There were some throws (Harrell) couldn’t make tonight so we eliminated them. … He did a great job with what he had to work with. I’m glad he came back.” — Thompson coach Mark Freeman
They said it: “I always have something to prove. That’s what I tell myself each and every time I come out here.” — Harrell
“The tackle had been leaning on me the whole game. I was setting him up … I kind of faked and switched it back out with a double-swipe. The quarterback’s back was away from me. It was perfect.” — Woods
What’s next?: Thompson will move onto Birmingham’s Protective Stadium on Dec. 1 in the opening night main event of the Super 7 at 7 p.m. The Warriors will play Central-Phenix City. The season is over for Hoover (12-1).
