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Photo by Todd Lester
Oak Mountain tight end/defensive lineman Niko Varvoutis (22) tackles Thompson running back Arrington Green (1) during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Oak Mountain defensive back Drowdy Hackbarth (17) and Oak Mountain defensive back Robert Yoder (10) combine to tackle Thompson running back Michael Dujon (5) during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Oak Mountain defensive back Sean Ray (12) tackles Thompson wide receiver Pryce Lewis (17) during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Oak Mountain defensive back Malachi Plummer (21) takes the field during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Thompson defensive lineman Curtis Oliver-Avery (51) pressures Oak Mountain quarterback Will O'Dell (18) during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Oak Mountain running back Le'Kamren Meadows (6) runs the football during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Oak Mountain defensive back Sean Ray (12) tackles Thompson wide receiver Pryce Lewis (17) during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Oak Mountain band members take the field during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Oak Mountain band members perform during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Oak Mountain defensive back Cole Kelly (33) battles a Thompson lineman during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Oak Mountain kicker James Whatley (16) punts the football during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Oak Mountain defensive back Cole Kelly (33) during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Oak Mountain quarterback Will O'Dell (18) reads the defense during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Thompson defensive lineman Curtis Oliver-Avery (51) tackles Oak Mountain running back Marty Myricks (1) attempts a pass during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Oak Mountain tight end Jackson Blackwell (85), Oak Mountain Luke Kelly (69), and Oak Mountain offensive lineman Colton Cason (50) lead the offense onto the field during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Oak Mountain linebacker Jacob Porco (3) tackles Thompson wide receiver Angel Jones (10) during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Oak Mountain quarterback Will O'Dell (18) escapes pressure from Thompson linebacker Caleb Ballard (9) during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Oak Mountain offensive lineman Barron Meadors (79) battles Thompson defensive end Cameron Pritchett (11) during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Oak Mountain defensive lineman Daveon Johnson (95) and Oak Mountain tight end/defensive lineman Niko Varvoutis (22) combine to tackle Thompson running back Arrington Green (1) during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Oak Mountain defensive back Sean Ray (12) tackles Thompson wide receiver Deuce Oliver (2) during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Oak Mountain defensive back Robert Yoder (10) tackles Thompson running back Michael Dujon (5) during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
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Oak Mountain defensive lineman Daveon Johnson (95) tackles Thompson running back Michael Dujon (5) during a game between Thompson and Oak Mountain on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham. Photo by Todd Lester
BIRMINGHAM -- On an emotional night at Heardmont Park, Oak Mountain High School had no answers for Thompson on Friday night, as the Eagles dropped their sixth game in a row, 67-7.
Oak Mountain struggled in all aspects of the game as Thompson, the top team in Class 7A, Region 3, jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. The Warriors scored on their second play from scrimmage on a 39-yard run up the middle by senior running back AJ Green. Moments later, freshman quarterback Trent Seaborn connected with wide receiver Trey Knight on a 33-yard touchdown pass.
On the next play, defensive back Kaleb Harris pounced on an Oak Mountain fumble in the end zone to make it 21-0.
The Eagles offense did put together a nice drive late in the second quarter, as junior quarterback Will O’Dell led Oak Mountain on a 10-play, 80-yard drive, capped off by a 12-yard pass to sophomore running back Le’Kamren Meadows. The touchdown drive was the high point of the night for Oak Mountain, one Eagles head coach Shane McComb said was important for the development and confidence of this young squad.
“That was their starting [defense] and we had a 10-play drive. We drove down the field and some of our guys made some great plays,” McComb said. “It shows the potential of the program. We have about 18 starters returning next year and this will be the first, full offseason. We have a lot to look forward to.”
Oak Mountain falls to 1-7 on the season, 0-5 in region play. Thompson improved to 6-1 overall and 5-0 in region play.
The game was played in honor of Nitin Jani, a beloved custodian at Oak Mountain High School who was seriously injured in a car accident early in the week that also took the life of his wife Parul. Attendees were encouraged to wear orange and orange ribbons were placed throughout the stadium in recognition of the Janis. A moment of silence was also observed shortly before kickoff. Additionally, each team wore an orange sticker on their helmets.
“My little time I had with him, he’s been nothing but pleasant. He’s a great man and he’s always coming by saying, ‘Hello,’ and his wife used to make bread for some of the coaches every week,” said McComb.
“I feel for this community right now and for these players and coaches,” said Thompson head coach Mark Freeman.
On the night, Oak Mountain gained 83 total yards. O’Dell completed 10-of-16 passing attempts and gained 36 yards on 10 carries. The leading receiver of the Eagles was Tristyn Yardman with 22 yards.
Thompson amassed 440 yards of total offense, 159 yards passing and 281 yards receiving. S Seaborn was 3-of-5 for 43 yards and a touchdown, while Zach Sims completed all four attempts for 43 yards and a touchdown.
Thompson will travel to face Tuscaloosa County in a key region matchup next week. Oak Mountain will make the trip to take on Vestavia Hills next Friday.
