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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville quarterback Jaylen Mbakwe (9) scores a touchdown in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville quarterback Jaylen Mbakwe (9) runs the ball in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville wide receiver Mario Craver (4) runs the ball in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville offensive lineman Jac’Qawn McCroy (72) reacts after scoring the 2-point conversion for the Cougars in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville cornerback Jamarqus Jones (23) reacts after a play in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville quarterback Jaylen Mbakwe (9) smiles after scoring a touchdown in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville inside linebacker DJ Barber (6) pressures Thompson wide receiver Trakel Howard (12) in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville quarterback Jaylen Mbakwe (9) runs the ball in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville running back Aaron Osley (21) runs the ball through a tackle attempt by Thompson defensive back Payton Lewis (6) in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville kicker Antone Ellison (39) kicks the extra point in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville running back Aaron Osley (21) runs the ball in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville offensive lineman Jac’Qawn McCroy (72) carries the ball past the Thompson defenders as he heads for the end zone to score the 2-point conversion in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville offensive lineman Jac’Qawn McCroy (72) carries the ball past the Thompson defenders as he heads for the end zone to score the 2-point conversion in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville quarterback Jaylen Mbakwe (9) runs the ball in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville quarterback Jaylen Mbakwe (9) runs the ball downfield in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville offensive lineman Jac’Qawn McCroy (72) reacts after scoring the 2-point conversion for the Cougars in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville players and coaches celebrate on the field after defeating Thompson 36-33 at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville players celebrate on the field after defeating Thompson 36-33 in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville head coach Drew Gilmer talks to the media after the Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33 at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville quarterback Jaylen Mbakwe (9) takes the ball to the end zone to score for the Cougars in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville running back Aaron Osley (21) runs the ball in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville wide receiver Mario Craver (4) carries the ball downfield in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville wide receiver Mario Craver (4) carries the ball downfield in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville running back Aaron Osley (21) runs the ball up the middle in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville wide receiver Mario Craver (4) carries the ball downfield in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville quarterback Jaylen Mbakwe (9) makes the handoff to Clay-Chalkville running back Taurus Chambers (5) in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville running back Aaron Osley (21) takes the ball from quarterback Jaylen Mbakwe (9) in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville wide receiver Mario Craver (4) carries the ball as Thompson defensive back Anquon Fegans (0) moves to block the run in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville fans cheer after a touchdown in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville quarterback Jaylen Mbakwe (9) runs the ball toward the end zone in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville wide receiver Kumar Robinson (16) is brought down on the play by Thompson defensive back Anquon Fegans (0) in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
The Clay-Chalkville marching band performs during halftime in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
The Clay-Chalkville marching band performs during halftime in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
The Clay-Chalkville marching band performs during halftime in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville offensive lineman Anthony Carter (51), Clay-Chalkville offensive lineman AJ Williams (65) and Clay-Chalkville offensive lineman Jayden Jones (57) react after the Cougars score in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville quarterback Jaylen Mbakwe (9) makes the handoff to Clay-Chalkville running back Aaron Osley (21) in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Clay-Chalkville quarterback Jaylen Mbakwe (9) catches the snap in a game at Thompson High School’s Warrior Stadium in Alabaster on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The Cougars defeated Thompson 36-33. Photo by Erin Nelson.
ALABASTER – There is a new leader in the clubhouse when it comes to Jaylen Mbwake’s best birthdays.
In fact, his 18th birthday is going to be a hard one to ever top.
Mbakwe led Clay-Chalkville High School to a monumental 36-33 win over Class 7A top-ranked Thompson on Thursday night at Warrior Stadium, in front of a large crowd both at the game and at home, with viewers from around the country consuming the game on ESPN2.
“This is most definitely number one,” said Mbakwe, resetting his personal birthday power rankings.
Mbwake, a heralded recruit committed to the University of Alabama, shined brightest on the big stage at a position he will likely not play again after this fall. Clay-Chalkville’s quarterback rushed for five touchdowns in a magnificent, gutsy performance.
“He played his butt off, didn’t he? We ask a lot of him,” Clay-Chalkville head coach Drew Gilmer said following the game. “He played some DB [defensive back] there at the end. Heck of a kid, and it’s his birthday. What a great birthday for him.”
Mbakwe finished the night with 159 rushing yards on 29 carries. He was also efficient as a passer, completing 10-of-12 throws for 104 yards. The only two incompletions were Thompson interceptions.
“Just a competitor,” Gilmer said. “A kid that plays hard, a winner. Super proud of that kid.”
Clay-Chalkville (6-0) is the first in-state team outside of Class 7A to beat Thompson since Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa knocked off the Warriors in 2016.
The night featured a storybook ending, to be sure, but it was far from an easy victory. The fourth quarter featured a furious rally from the Cougars, as they scored 22 unanswered points to take the lead. But Thompson nearly forced overtime, with a potential game-tying field goal drifting wide as the clock struck 0:00.
Thompson (4-1) took a 26-14 lead into the final quarter, before Mbakwe scored three touchdowns to seemingly put the game out of reach. Clay-Chalkville took the lead on a 7-yard Mbakwe touchdown run with 3:42 to play, and that’s when offensive coordinator Stuart Floyd pulled out a play the Cougars installed earlier in the week.
Mbakwe took the snap and rolled to his left before stopping and throwing it back to the other side of the field, where offensive lineman Jac’Qawn McRoy was waiting. The 6-foot-8, 350-pounder caught the ball at about the 10-yard line, and shrugged off multiple defenders as he blasted his way into the end zone for the two-point conversion to make it 29-26.
“We just wanted to give y’all something to write about,” Gilmer said.
Mbakwe’s 19-yard touchdown run with 1:22 to play made it 36-26 and seemingly put the game out of reach. But Thompson quarterback Trent Seaborn responded with his fourth touchdown pass of the night, a 75-yard strike to Kolby Hearn, to cut it to 36-33.
Thompson recovered the ensuing onside kick and got into field goal range, but the attempt at the horn went wide.
“It’s exciting, but heck, we should’ve never been in that situation,” Gilmer said. “We should’ve gotten the stop beforehand and then recover the onside kick. It’s good for our kids to be resilient and not give up until the last play.”
Thompson was the more comfortable team early, scoring twice in the first quarter to open up a 13-0 lead. AJ Green got the scoring started with a 7-yard run. He led the Warriors in rushing on the evening with 46 yards on 14 carries.
Seaborn threw his first scoring pass to Colben Landrew late in the first, a 17-yard strike. He added a 64-yarder to Hearn and a 38-yarder to Landrew in a dominant third quarter. Seaborn finished the night 14-of-25 for 268 yards. Hearn was the leading target, with 164 yards on just 4 catches.
The Cougars rallied to take the halftime lead after Mbakwe led a couple scoring drives. He scored on a 2-yard run to get the Cougars on the scoreboard, then plunged in from a yard out just before the half to give Clay a 14-13 edge.
Thompson hit the two big pass plays in the third to open up a 26-14 lead, before the big rally commenced.
Payton Davis and Anquon Fegans intercepted passes for Thompson, while Rod Ivy made an acrobatic pick along the sideline for the Cougars in the fourth quarter to set up the final scoring drive. Carlos Ivy also notched a sack for the Cougars.
Clay-Chalkville’s defense has made the headlines so far this season, as the Cougars have been figuring things out on the offensive end with Mbakwe shifting to a position he had not played since middle school.
But the Cougars’ offensive line made it all possible Thursday, proving the most physical unit on the field throughout the night. The line paved the way for 320 rushing yards. Aaron Osley finished with 87 yards on 19 carries, Taurus Chambers added 32 yards and receiver Mario Craver rushed for 28 yards.
Mbakwe had done plenty for the Cougars, but he wanted to do a little bit more. His persistence finally paid off late in the fourth quarter, as his head coach put him in the game on defense to show off his defensive back skills, the ones he will likely showcase on Saturday for the Crimson Tide in the near future. He even broke up a pass while he was in there.
After the game, the birthday boy climbed the portable podium reserved for the drum major to lead the marching band in the playing of the Clay-Chalkville alma mater.
He left it all on the field, but since it was his birthday, he found a little more in the tank.
“You only get to do this once, so let’s go have fun,” he said.
