High School

STATE CHAMPS: Alabama QB Commit Seaborn Named MVP, Guides Thompson to 6th State Title in 7 Years; Scoring, Recap

Warriors four-star junior QB Trent Seaborn passed for 259 yards and 3 TDs to help No. 3 Thompson roll to a dominant 48-10 victory over No. 7 Opelika in AHSAA 7A state championship on Wednesday in Birmingham

Levi Payton

Thompson's quarterback Trent Seaborn (12) passes against Opelika during their AHSAA 7A Football State Championship game in Birmingham, Ala. on Wednesday December 3, 2025.
Thompson's quarterback Trent Seaborn (12) passes against Opelika during their AHSAA 7A Football State Championship game in Birmingham, Ala. on Wednesday December 3, 2025. / Mickey Welsh / Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Thompson and Opelika meet tonight in the AHSAA Class 7A championship at Protective Stadium, a matchup that pairs a proven dynasty against one of the year’s biggest surprises. The Warriors (10-3) are hunting their sixth title in seven seasons under Mark Freeman, while Opelika (10-3) arrives riding a hot streak and chasing the program’s first blue map.

Thompson is ranked No. 3 in the latest Alabama High School on SI state rankings, while Opelika comes in at No. 7.

Opening kick is scheduled for 7 p.m. Please be sure to follow this page and refresh often, as we will provide live scoring, highlights, key plays and other updates from the game in the "live updates" section below as they happen.

Opelika has won four straight and surged through the bracket with victories over Hewitt-Trussville, Baker, and archrival Auburn. Quarterback Whit Cooper has steadied the offense, while senior back CJ Johnson leads a run game that sets the tone. The Bulldogs average just under 28 points a game and have leaned on a rebuilt defense that has grown up fast after returning only one starter from last year.

Thompson enters as the favorite thanks to big-game experience and balance across the board. Quarterback Trent Seaborn, an Alabama commit, has thrown for more than 3,300 yards with 32 touchdowns and is surrounded by one of the deepest receiving groups in the state. The Warriors also flashed a revived ground attack in last week’s semifinal win over Central-Phenix City.

Defensively, Thompson has been sharp throughout the playoffs, allowing just over 11 points per game. Their veteran front and ball-hawking secondary will be tested by Opelika’s physical run game and timely play-action looks. The Bulldogs counter with a defense that has tightened each week and leaned on senior lineman Tremaine Thomas to anchor the box.

Thompson brings the championship pedigree. Opelika brings momentum and belief. Tonight’s game comes down to whether the Bulldogs can keep the Warriors’ offense off schedule and whether Thompson’s experience can withstand a team that has played its best football when it matters most.

Top Performers

For Opelika

Whit Cooper, QB, soph. – 67-for-110, 903 yards, 8 TDs, 3 INT

CJ Johnson, RB, sr. – 150 carries, 944 yards, 9 TDs

Jordan Waits, RB, sr. – 104 carries, 527 yards, 4 TDs

Blake Johnson, RB, sr. – 66 carries, 283 yards, 10 TDs

Dre Vann, WR, sr. – 34 receptions, 627 yards, 5 TDs

Jalynn Washington, WR, sr. – 45 receptions, 507 yards, 4 TDs

Darius Whitlow, OL, jr. – 51 pancake blocks

Julian Pritchett, OL, sr. – 47 pancake blocks

Korbin Fears, OL, jr. – 32 pancake blocks

Tremaine Thomas, DL, sr. – 38 tackles, 29 solo, 14 TFL, 8 sacks, 13 hurries

Braiden Howard, DB, jr. – 50 tackles, 33 solo, 1 TFL, 5 INT, 14 pass breakups, 1 TD

Reese Beasley, K, jr. – 34-for-38 on PAT attempts; 13-for-20 on field goals with a long of 43 yards

For Thompson

Trent Seaborn, QB, jr. – 245-for-339, 3,376 yards, 32 TDs, 8 INT; 47 carries, 75 yards, 5 TDs

Urijah Casey, RB, soph. – 86 carries, 623 yards, 10 TDs

RJ Evans, RB, sr. – 84 carries, 362 yards, 6 TDs

Darion Moseley, WR, jr. – 64 receptions, 1,061 yards, 7 TDs

Pryce Lewis, WR, sr. – 54 carries, 860 yards, 7 TDs

Dedrick Kimbrough, WR, soph. – 42 receptions, 675 yards, 5 TDs

Trey Knight, WR, sr. – 34 receptions, 446 yards, 7 TDs

Chance Strown, LB, sr. – 88 tackles, 57 solo, 15 TFL, 6 sacks, 4 hurries, 1 INT, 2 pass breakups 

Jermey Alo-Perry, LB, sr. – 89 tackles, 59 solo, 8 TFL  

Cam Pritchett, DL, jr. – 87 tackles, 52 solo, 15 TFL, 3 sacks, 15 hurries, 2 fumble recoveries

Chauncy Alo, LB, sr. – 75 tackles, 50 solo, 15 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 10 hurries

Ami Moala, DL, sr. – 67 tackles, 36 solo, 14 TFL, 2 sacks, 8 hurries

Damonte Tabb, DB, sr. – 68 tackles, 44 TFL, 4 TFL, 9 INT, 9 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovery

Eli King, DB, soph. – 36 tackles, 23 solo, 4 INT, 4 pass breakups

Ethan Black, K, jr. – 58-for-61 on PAT attempts; 6-for-8 field goals with a 37-yard long

Live Scoring

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

Final

Opelika

0

3

0

7

10

Thompson

6

28

14

0

48

Coin toss: Opelika won the opening toss and deferred to the second half, allowing Thompson to receive the opening kick.

The temperature was clear and 40 degrees at kickoff.

1st Quarter

A touchback allowed Thompson to begin the opening drive at its own 20. Thompson's first play was a 29-yard run by RJ Evans to move the ball to the Warriors' 49. A pass to Pryce Lewis on the third play pushed the ball to the Opelika 20.

FIELD GOAL! Thompson's Ethan Black booted a 27-yard field goal with 9:00 left in the first quarter to take a 3-0 lead. The Warriors are happy with the points, but penalties took four off the board.

Opelika began its first drive with 8:51 left in the first quarter at its own 27.

PUNT! Opelika lost three yards on its possession and punted it back to Thompson's 24 with 6:53 left in the first.

Thompson quickly flipped the field and moved the ball to Opelika's 20 in just three plays -- keyed by a long run from Urijah Casey.

FIELD GOAL! With 5:08 left in the first quarter, Thompson junior kicker Ethan Black booted his second field goal in as many possessions. The 36-yarder made it 6-0, Warriors.

Opelika's second possession began at its own 23 with 4:58 left.

PUNT! Opelika went three-and-out on its second drive and punted it back to Thompson's 31 with 3:16 remaining. Thompson has dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides early on.

Urijah Casey went down with an injury to his lower half on the first play of Thompson's drive.

Thompson quarterback Trent Seaborn took a shot went down with an injury with 1:09 left in the first with the Warriors driving deep in Opelika territory. Zealand Danielson took over and gained 5 yards on a carry on the Warriors' first play after the injury.

The first quarter ended with Thompson driving at the Opelika 7.

End 1: Thompson 6, Opelika 0

2nd Quarter

Trent Seaborn came back into the game for the Warriors on the first play of the second quarter.

TOUCHDOWN! On third-and-6 from the Opelika 7, Seaborn found receiver Trey Knight on a 7-yard pass. Ethan Black made the PAT to give the Warriors a 13-0 lead. The touchdown was Seaborn's first play back after being shaken up by injury. He missed two plays.

Opelika's next possession began at its own 26.

PUNT! The Bulldogs went three-and-out for the third straight possession and punted it back to Thompson's 40 with 10:40 left in the half.

INJURY NOTE: Thompson sophomore running back Urijah Casey, who was injured on the first play of the Warriors' last touchdown drive, is now on crutches on the sideline and isn't expected to return to the game. He finished with 43 yards rushing. It's a blow to Thompson's offense.

Key Penalties: Opelika was flagged for three encroachment penalties in near succession to help Thompson convert a first down and set up first-and-goal at the Opelika 3.

TOUCHDOWN! KJ Jackson bullied his way through a scrum and scored on a 3-yard run before Ethan Black made the PAT to extend Thompson's lead to 20-0 with 6:37 to go in the half.

INTERCEPTION! Opelika quarterback Whit Cooper threw one up for grabs, and Thompson linebacker Chauncy Alo picked it off at the Opelika 37 with 5:41 left in the half. Opelika challenged for a targeting call, but the play stands. Thompson took over with great field position and a 20-0 lead.

TOUCHDOWN! On fourth-and-6, Trent Seaborn threw a perfect strike on a fly route to Pryce Lewis for 33 yards. Ethan Black's PAT made it 27-0 with 4:48 left in the half.

Opelika, still searching for its first first down, and with only 1 yard rushing, began its next drive at its own 19.

Opelika's first first down came with 4:20 left in the first half.

PUNT! A holding penalty killed Opelika's drive, and they booted the ball back to Thompson. A shanked punt gave the ball to the Warriors at the Opelika 39 with 1:58 left in the half.

TOUCHDOWN! Thompson's first play after the punt was a pass from Trent Seaborn to Pryce Lewis for 39 yards. It's Seaborn's third touchdown pass of the game. Ethan Black kicked the PAT to make it 34-0 with 1:46 left in the half. The score put Lewis at 99 yards receiving for the game.

A big kick return and a late hit at the end of the play gave Opelika its best field possession of the game at the Thompson 26. It's the first time the Bulldogs reached Warriors territory.

FIELD GOAL! Opelika kicker Reese Beasley kicked a 29-yard field goal with 28 seconds left to trim the Thompson lead to 34-3.

HALFTIME: Thompson 34, Opelika 3

Halftime notes: Thompson's defense held Opelika's offense to 14 yards of total offense in the first half. ... Warriors quarterback Trent Seaborn passed for more than 200 yards and 3 touchdowns in the half.

16-27 259 3 TDs

3rd Quarter

Opelika's first possession of the second half began at its own 26 with 11:53 left in the third.

PICK-SIX! On the first play of the second half, Whit Cooper's pass was tipped behind the line and picked off by Thompson defensive back Trenton McCorvey, who returned it 21 yards untouched for a touchdown just 15 seconds into the half. Ethan Black made the PAT to extend Thompson's lead to 41-3 with 11:45 left.

PUNT! Opelika went three-and-out and punted it back to Thompson's 15 with 9:14 left in the third quarter.

TOUCHDOWN! The Warriors capped an 85-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run by RJ Evans off an overloaded set. Ethan Black kicked the PAT to make it 48-3 with 47 seconds left in the third.

A big return by Opelika's Dre Vann set up the Bulldogs with a first down at the Thompson 32 with 35 seconds left in the half.

End 3: Thompson 48, Opelika 3

4th Quarter

INTERCEPTION! On the first play of the fourth quarter, Thompson's Damonte Tabb picked off a pass from Whit Cooper at his own 5-yard line. It was his 10th pick of the season and fourth of the playoffs.

Off the interception, Thompson inserted quarterback Jahari Nation, an eighth grader, into the lineup.

TURNOVER ON DOWNS! Thompson turned it over on downs for the first time with 9 minutes remaining at the Opelika 30.

TOUCHDOWN! With 5:04 left, Opelika senior Blake Johnson scored on a 2-yard run. Reese Beasley kicked the PAT to trim the deficit to 48-10.

Final: Thompson 48, Opelika 10

From start to finish, Thompson, playing in its eighth straight championship game, dominated the trenches and dominated in all three phases to claim the AHSAA 7A state championship. The championship is Thompson's sixth in seven years.

MVP: Thompson junior quarterback Trent Seaborn was named state championship MVP after complting 16 of 27 passes for 259 yards and 3 touchdowns.

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Levi Payton
LEVI PAYTON

Levi’s sports journalism career began in 2005. A Missouri native, he’s won multiple Press Association awards for feature writing and has served as a writer and editor covering high school sports as well as working beats in professional baseball, NCAA football, basketball, baseball and soccer. If you have a good story, he’d love to tell it.

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