Friday Night Lights: Thompson Outscores Oxford
ALABASTER, Ala. – Call it “Recruitapalooza,” if you will.
When the Oxford Yellow Jackets, reigning 6A champions, travelled to take on 7A crown-bearer Thompson on Saturday, many future D1 players were on the field.
Defense was NOT at a premium at Warriors Stadium, as Mark Freeman’s Thompson squad had a 56-34 win over the Yellow Jackets of Keith Etheridge.
The game’s top prospect was outside linebacker Jeremiah Alexander (6-foot-2, 235 pounds) of Thompson, who is committed to Nick Saban and Alabama. He could also project as a Jack linebacker or grow into a defensive end in the SEC.
Thompson has Alexander at middle linebacker this year, but that may not be his college destiny.
Freeman said Alexander is a leader on the defense and is doing “a tremendous job. He’s a leader for us."
The coach added that Alexander’s strengths are “getting off blocks, flying to the football, tackling with great technique, playing with explosion and leverage. Just everything you look for.”
Unofficially, Jackson had a half-dozen stops, one for a loss of yards.
Seniors who shined included Oxford quarterback Trey Higgins, who could play D1 football if he wanted, but he’s pledged to Mississippi State baseball. His top target was 6-2, 225-pound Tennessee commitment Roc Taylor at receiver. Delvon Fegans is a solid defensive back who will play in college.
For the Warriors, wide receiver Sam Reynolds is a talented South Carolina pledge.
Juniors to watch this year, and next, included Oxford corner Treqon Fegans, Delvon’s younger brother, who has an Alabama offer. Word is Saban likes what he sees in the younger Fegans, who is 6-2, 181.
Not surprisingly, Saban likes tall corners.
"He’s not your average corner,” Etheredge observed. “A lot of guys play defense because they don’t have great hands. Trequon has great hands. We could play him a lot of places, but he is so good with such great length. He’s really the perfect cornerback.”
Fegans is also a solid punt returner. As a corner, he shows good press-man skills.
Thompson receiver Ryan Peppins showed speed and elusiveness on a 60-yard kick return.
Super sophomores who jumped out included defensive back Tony Mitchell and end Peter Woods of Thompson. Both SEC-caliber players in waiting. Mitchell already has multiple SEC offers including Alabama and Tennessee, while the Crimson Tide is watching Woods.
He showed why. He’s an excellent run-stopper.
How about the burgers at the THS concession stand? The line wasn’t as busy as usual at Thompson due to stadium admission restrictions relating to COVID-19. That means less time in line, a rare positive in these times. Verdict: Passable. They were catered by Chubbfathers but could have passed for being cooked on-site. Just tender enough.
As for the semi-new steakhouse near Tuscaloosa, many people know about Big Mike’s since it’s been in Gulf Shores a while. Now, there is a Moundville location and it’s just as good. Tender, juicy steaks, hot, butter-melting bake potatoes and cool, crisp salads are featured.
One hint: Don’t sit in the very front during the summer unless you take a fly-swatter, or as my friends from Winfield call it, a “fly flap.” (That was a new one on me.)
The service was as good as the food, but get there early. The line for a table starts to form at 5 p.m.
