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Photo by James Nicholas
Jackson Holland (7) runs the ball against Thompson.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Pep squad students before a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Trussville Cheerleaders during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Members of the Trussville Police and Fire department Honor Guard during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Thompson team Captains #49 Jackson Scott and # 27 Dorian Jones during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Hewitt-Trussville team Captain #56 Jonathan Moore during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Hewitt-Trussville team Captain #74 Logan Self during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Thompson during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Hewitt-Trussville during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Hewitt-Trussville Football
Hewitt-Trussville during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Hewitt-Trussville’s #41 Cole Trest opens a lane for #4 Dazalin Worsham during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Hewitt-Trussville’s #7 Jackson Holland is tripped up by the Thompson defender during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Hewitt-Trussville’s student section during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Hewitt-Trussville’s #8 Omari Kelly during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Thompson RB #22 Jermel Gaiters during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Thompson RB #22 Jermel Gaiters leaps over the Hewitt-Trussville defender during a game between Thompson and Jermel Gaiters on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Hewitt-Trussville RB #33 Sean Jackson is tackled by the Thompson defenders during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Hewitt-Trussville’s #97 Eric Taylor during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
WR #13 JB Mitchell with a catch and Thompson Touchdown during a game between Thompson and Jermel Gaiters on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
WR #13 JB Mitchell with a catch and Thompson Touchdown during a game between Thompson and Jermel Gaiters on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Hewitt-Trussville TE #44 Matt Miller is tackled by the Thompson defender during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Hewitt-Trussville’s #28 Clint Simpson dives over the Thompson defender for extra yardage during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Hewitt-Trussville QB #16 Cade Carruth is tackled by multiple Thompson defenders during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Thompson Band members are still upbeat even with the soaking rain during a game between Thompson and Jermel Gaiters on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Hewitt-Trussville DB #13 Malachi Moore tackles the Thompson RB during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
The Hewitt-Trussville Band during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
The Hewitt-Trussville “Dog Pound” students section during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Hewitt-Trussville QB #16 Cade Carruth during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Hewitt-Trussville Football
Hewitt-Trussville Kicker #23 Jordan Lynn kicks the extra point during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Thompson WR #1 Sam Reynolds gives thanks after a touchdown during a game between Thompson and Jermel Gaiters on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
The Thompson sideline during a game between Thompson and Jermel Gaiters on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Thompson Cheerleaders during a game between Thompson and Jermel Gaiters on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
The Hewitt-Trussville Highsteppers during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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The Hewitt-Trussville students section during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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The Hewitt-Trussville band during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Photo by James Nicholas
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Hewitt-Trussville’s sideline during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Hewitt-Trussville DL #1 Justice Finkley during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Hewitt-Trussville Football
The Hewitt-Trussville Cheerleaders during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Thompson Majoretts during a game between Thompson and Jermel Gaiters on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Hewitt-Trussville Football
Hewitt-Trussville Kicker #34 Jacob Seagle prepares for the kick off during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Hewitt-Trussville Football
Hewitt-Trussville’s #5 Trey Washington fights with the Thompson defender for the ball during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Hewitt-Trussville Football
Thompson Kicker #38 Evan McGuire punts the ball during a game between Thompson and Jermel Gaiters on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Thompson QB #8 Sawyer Pate during a game between Thompson and Jermel Gaiters on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville Football
Thompson QB #8 Sawyer Pate looks down field for an open reciever during a game between Thompson and Jermel Gaiters on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Thompson Kicker #38 Evan McGuire paces off his steps during a game between Thompson and Jermel Gaiters on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville defenders have a hard time stopping Thompson RB #22 Jermel Gaiters during a game between Thompson and Jermel Gaiters on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Hewitt-Trussville team Captain #13 Malachi Moore during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Trussville Cheerleaders during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
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Members of the Trussville Band during a game between Thompson and Hewitt-Trussville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville.
TRUSSVILLE – Big time players make big time plays.
That’s the message senior defensive back Malachi Moore repeated to himself prior to taking the field with the Hewitt-Trussville High School defense late in the fourth quarter.
The Huskies needed one more stop to ice the game.
On the third play of the drive, Moore corralled an overthrown ball and took it 57 yards to the end zone to cement Hewitt-Trussville’s 35-29 upset victory over top-ranked and previously unbeaten Thompson on Friday night at Husky Field.
“I knew they were trying to attack the middle of the field, and I saw the crossing route, and I was going to break on it, but the quarterback overthrew it and I made a play with my feet,” Moore said of the play.
Moore’s touchdown put the Huskies up 35-23 with 1:32 remaining in the fourth quarter. A late Thompson touchdown proved inconsequential, as Moore — an Alabama commit — recovered the onside kick effort on his final play on his home turf.
Despite being eliminated from playoff contention and knowing Friday night’s game would be the final one of the season, Hewitt-Trussville (6-4, 3-4 Class 7A, Region 3) closed out the campaign on a high note.
“Our kids showed a lot of character,” head coach Josh Floyd said. “That’s what our program is about. That’s one of those life lessons that I don’t like being in the midst of, but we told our kids a few weeks ago if you’re in the battle, you may as well learn something from it. Don’t waste it.”
Moore’s pick wasn’t the only big time play made on the evening.
The Huskies went ahead in the fourth quarter on a 66-yard pass from Jackson Holland to Trey Washington, who beat his man, caught the long pass in stride and galloped to the end zone to make it 28-23.
Holland entered the game after Cade Ott Carruth left in the second quarter with an injury, an all-too-familiar story for the Huskies this fall.
“You’ve got a different quarterback playing against the No. 1 team in the state, backup running backs, backup guys on the o-line, it’s all over the place,” Floyd said. “I’m just so proud of our kids. I hate that it’s over.”
Moore wasn’t the only big time player on the field on Friday. While continuing to contribute in the defensive secondary, Holland completed 7-of-11 passes for 230 yards and two scores to go along with 87 rushing yards and another touchdown on the ground. He eclipsed the century mark on the ground before a late sack brought his total back to double digits.
“He’s a stinkin’ fighter,” Floyd said. “He made a lot of plays with his feet, had some great throws, and is playing every other play on defense.”
Omari Kelly ended the evening with 112 receiving yards on three catches, two of them on short pop passes that act as sweeps. His 41-yard burst on one of those in the second quarter gave Hewitt its first lead at 14-10. Dazalin Worsham opened the Huskies’ scoring on a 19-yard touchdown on their previous drive.
Thompson opened a 10-0 lead in the opening quarter on Evan McGuire’s 42-yard field goal and JB Mitchell’s 28-yard reception from Sawyer Pate. McGuire drilled three long field goals on the night, the others from 44 and 42 yards. Pate wrapped up his night 17-of-32 passing for 196 yards and three touchdowns.
After Thompson drew to within a point on McGuire’s 44-yard field goal, Holland capped off a momentum shifting drive to put the Huskies up 21-13. On third-and-15, Holland ran for 26 yards. On the following play, he hit Kelly for another 41-yard pop pass and scored on an 18-yard run on the next play.
Hewitt-Trussville's defense made quite an impact in the game as well, with the likes of Justice Finkley, Eric Taylor, Phillip Bentley and Landen Berguson all playing a factor in disrupting Pate. The Huskies held Thompson's potent offense to just 284 total yards. Sam Jones also pulled off a diving interception in the first half.
The loss does not affect Thompson’s (8-1, 6-1 in region) playoff standing, as the Warriors will still be the top seed from Region 3 and host a first-round playoff game on Nov. 8.
But as for Hewitt-Trussville, the Huskies gave a glimpse into what could have been.
“It’s not the way you like it, but it’s one of those things we tried to make the most of it, have a great week of practice and finish it the right way,” Floyd said. “This is a really good football team. We will always wonder what would’ve happened if we’d have stayed healthy.”
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