As the clock waned during the AHSAA Class 7A title game and Thompson coaches made down from the booth before the final whistle, Tre’Quon Fegans and other players started posing for photos. Some pointed to their parents and friends in the stands.
Thompson’s defense carried it all year, coach Mark Freeman said.
It didn’t allow a point until Sept. 10 and a touchdown until Oct. 1. Wednesday night in Protective Stadium featured more of the same as the Warriors beat Central-Phenix City 38-22 for its fourth championship in program history.
Before heading to Tuscaloosa next year, Jeremiah Alexander and Tre’Quon Fegans had one last night to celebrate with their teammates, so who could blame them if it started a few minutes early?
“We really put our heads down each and every season,” Alexander said, “…The three-peat is a blessing, especially with the guys I grew up with.”
Alexander and Fegans — who lost in the last game their freshman year to the Red Devils and then lost just twice more in their high school careers — were integral in the Super 7. Both Alabama commits, Fegans led the Warriors (13-1) with seven tackles and Alexander notched an early 3rd-down sack.
Thompson allowed 7.1 points a contest in 2021, the best team mark since 1987 when it allowed 8.0 points per game. Central-Phenix’s quarterback Caleb Nix and leading-weapon Karmello English (a receiver with Auburn and Alabama among his top eight) connected just twice for 17 yards. Nix was also intercepted three times, including one to Anquon Fegans, Tre’Quon’s younger brother.
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Alexander, the five-star who plans to enroll in Tuscaloosa early, helped disrupt Central-Phenix (13-1) on the defensive line with his third sack of the playoffs. Tre’Quon Fegans, a four-star, also snagged his second interception of the postseason as he continued his hot streak since flipping from Miami to the Crimson Tide last October.
Both Fegans, junior Tony Mitchell and senior Trevor Hardy rotated on English. Thompson appeared to play man-to-man defense on the boundary and Nix couldn’t take advantage. Whenever Central-Phenix loaded the strong side of the field, Tre’Quon Fegans blitzed the short side and disputed a handful of throws.
“I can’t say enough about what (defensive coordinator) Shawn (Defoor) did for us,” Freeman said.
After the opening batch of photos with the latest trophy, Alexander looked for his mother, Latricia. Parents had crafted leis made out of candy wrappers and folded dollar bills, a tradition instituted by former-quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa at the start of this championship streak, in preparation for this moment.
Latricia smiled at her son. She told Alexander she was proud. As fireworks boomed overhead, with one chapter of Alexander’s life ending and another rapidly approaching, she hung the sweets around his neck.
“I can’t just say it’s my legacy,” Alexander said, “… It’s been all of us.”
Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].
