Adversity doesn't come around often for the Thompson Warriors. Last season though, it came early and often.  The Warriors faced a setback in their loss to Central-Phenix City in the 2023 state championship game, but they also had heaps of critics and doubters pile on after three regular-season losses, albeit all by one point in overtime and with two of the three happening outside region play. However, trials reveal the true character of people, and Thompson simply put its head down and went to work.  Those gains not only led to a dominant playoff run, but they also ended in a fifth state championship in the past six years.  Now that the Warriors are back on the throne, they are hungry to stay there. Right now, it looks foolish to bet against them doing so.  One of the biggest things in their favor is a plethora of offensive weapons, many of whom helped secure the state championship last year.  Not much can be said about quarterback Trent Seaborn that hasn't already been said. As just a junior, he already possesses a rare arm talent and football IQ beyond his years, and his playmaking abilities will carry Thompson far this year.  While he's been a constant for the Warriors over the last two-and-a-half seasons, the supporting cast around him has rotated greatly. Just this time last year, we were asking who would step up at receiver after the top three receivers from the 2023 team left.   It took some time, but Pryce Lewis, Darion Moseley and Dedrick Kimbrough all answered that question over the course of the season. First, it was Lewis emerging as a shifty and speedy threat. Then, it was Moseley becoming the top target and being the steady hands down the stretch, including in the state title game when he won MVP. Finally, it was Kimbrough bringing back the deep threat after slotting right into the roster late in the year.  Now, the receiving room isn't a question, it's a strength. That's because all three are back this year, and Moseley and Kimbrough will both be back next year as well. Throw in tight end Tanner Ehmen, and it's hard to find an aerial attack with this much star power and firepower.  Any good Thompson offense gets paced on the ground by the running backs, and the lead back baton has now passed to RJ Evans. He performed admirably in a No. 2 role last year behind Mike Dujon, making impressive plays during his time on the field.  Evans and newcomer KJ Jackson will form another potent one-two punch to get the hard yards on the ground, a positive especially as Seaborn's legs continue to develop.  One of the biggest questions revolves around the offensive line since only a couple of starters returning, namely Parker Mittelstat, but reloading up front is something the Warriors do on an annual basis. While younger pieces like Tommy Williams and Micah Walker develop, Jared Fikes will serve as an imposing piece at left tackle.  The defense doesn't have as much continuity as the offense relatively speaking, but it has the two biggest holes to fill after losing two All-American Auburn signees in Jared Smith and Anquon Fegans. However, a new wave of talent is prepared to become the next defensive stars.  The defensive line has the opposite situation as the offense with much more proven pieces making up the front. Cam Pritchett leads the way as an All-American edge rusher and is now one of two Power 4 commits up front after Ami Moala, a North Carolina commit, transferred in from Oregon.  Noah Streeter and Peter Ramil could join that group shortly as they bring their deep skillsets to the defensive line, forming a front four that will be among the top in the state.  Trent McCorvey will lead the linebacker room now that he's healthy and has a talented pair of running mates in Kevin Davis and Chance Strown. It's a deep and versatile group that will need to make plays throughout the year.  Fegans may have left a void in the secondary, but Damonte Tabb performed admirably last year and will now have a bigger opportunity to make plays in open field as the primary safety. Top matchup honors will go to Micah Fleming, who finished fifth in the indoor 60-meter dash state championship with a time of 6.92 seconds.  All around, Thompson's defense has all the makings of another title-contending unit that can stack up against teams like Hoover and Hewitt-Trussville in region play.  The Warriors do have a massive question mark at special teams. They were already in search of a reliable kicker after multiple missed field goals cost them games in the regular season, but All-American punter John Alan McGuire's ability to fire long-range homing missiles into the coffin corner is now gone.  That's left Thompson on the hunt for specialists even in August with the season rapidly approaching. A capable punter and kicker will be crucial to deciding close games, as last season showed.  That said, much of the rest of the team is in a good, stable spot with young players set to lead the way this year and beyond.     2025 Prediction: 9-1. Plenty of people doubted and counted out the Warriors during the 2024 season. I'll admit there were moments I doubted too. But much fewer people will do so this year.  Thompson's young returning core will make them one of the most complete teams in the state not just this year, but next year as well.  The returners on the offensive line will help lead the unit to become another strong one that can enable a quick ground attack and give Seaborn time to make big throws.  While I had my doubts about the Warriors replacing a pair of All-Americans in Fegans and Smith, Streeter, Fleming and Tabb should replace them well from within, dispelling some of the notion that the Warriors need veteran transfers to maintain their standard.  Some of those younger pieces will be tested against Grayson, which could be a tough matchup alongside Clay-Chalkville. However, Thompson always peaks late, and with so much continuity from last year's title team, there's no telling how good this team could be.

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