1 of 2
Photo by Laura Chramer.
Hewitt-Trussville athlete Connor Thomas (21) plays defense during the first half of a football game between Tuscaloosa County and Hewitt-Trussville at Hewitt-Trussville High School on Sept. 10. The Huskies beat the Wildcats, 42-7.
2 of 2
Photo by Shawn Bowles
Hewitt-Trussville running back James Hammonds (2) races for the end zone as Hewitt-Trussville defensive back TJ Hobbs (38) cheers from the sideline during the Hewitt-Trussville and Pinson Valley game in August 2020, on Husky Field at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville. The Huskies defeated Pinson Valley 49-27.
Last year, there was a feared tandem of Hewitt-Trussville High School running backs nicknamed “Thunder and Lightning.”
Armoni Goodwin and Sean Jackson grabbed most of the headlines in the Huskies’ backfield in 2020. This fall, there’s James Hammonds and Connor Thomas toting the rock, and doing so effectively. No catchy nicknames. No flash. Just hard work and speed.
Hammonds and Thomas are two of Hewitt-Trussville’s 30 seniors, a group of players leading the Huskies to a strong start and hopefully an even better finish to the 2021 season.
“We really like the senior class we have,” Hewitt-Trussville head coach Josh Floyd said. “We’ve just got to keep getting better. It’s a long season and we’re not anywhere close to where we want to be.”
Hammonds has been waiting his turn for a couple years now. Last year, he bided his time behind the duo of Goodwin and Jackson. He observed their every move and saw what it takes to become a running back in the Southeastern Conference (Goodwin is at LSU and Jackson is a walk-on at Auburn).
“James is a guy that played a lot last year. He didn’t get many carries because of the backfield that we had. But he was in some big moments, so this is not a total shock to him to come out here and play,” Floyd said.
Hammonds shined in his first career start. He ran the ball 18 times, racking up 127 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in a win over Pinson Valley. He also scored a receiving touchdown in the game as well.
“We knew James could do this, what he’s done so far,” Floyd said. “He brings a lot of things to the table. He’s fast. He’s a good receiver out of the backfield. That’s been big for us. He’s worked hard for this opportunity and now it’s here right in front of him.”
Two weeks later, Hammonds broke out against Spain Park. In the Huskies’ first region game, he ran for 173 yards and two touchdowns on just 15 carries.
“This year is my year. I’ve got to make something happen and I’ve got to make a name for myself,” Hammonds said. “I’ve got to play hard and the best that I can.”
Jackson got several carries and scored his first career touchdown at Auburn in its Sept. 11 game and still communicates with Hammonds often.
“Sometimes he’ll watch the games and tell me I should have made a cut here or there. Last year, when I practiced with them, they would always give me tips and pointers on what to do and where to go,” Hammonds said.
Hammonds knows speed is his forte. “I’m not a power back, I’ll let you know that,” he said. But in that Spain Park game, Floyd noted times when Hammonds put his head down and picked up some tough yards.
“He had the big plays that everyone sees, but sometimes you’ve just got to stick your nose in there and get 3 or 4 yards, because it’s just not there,” Floyd said.
Thomas entered the year as one of the unquestioned leaders on the Hewitt-Trussville defense, particularly in the secondary from his cornerback position. He has proven himself as a quality defensive back, but he is producing for the Huskies in all three phases of the game this fall as well.
“I love to help the team any way possible: special teams, offense, defense, anything I can do for them I’ll do it,” Thomas said.
Against Spain Park, Thomas gave the Huskies a short field after a long kickoff return. Against Saraland, he scored on runs of 4 and 18 yards. He finished that game with five carries for 51 total yards.
“Connor is a guy that’s been starting really for three years and he’s gotten better each year,” Floyd said. “He can do so many things for us. He’s one of those guys that can run the ball, he’s a really good returner in the kickoff return game and obviously at DB, he’s made a lot of plays at DB over his career.”
Thomas spent much of his early years in football playing on offense, before transitioning to corner as a high school freshman. He is currently garnering interest from a few college programs and has every intention to play at the next level.
Both players are hoping to take Hewitt-Trussville back to the playoffs and potentially a few rounds deep this fall.
“One week at a time, that’s the biggest key,” Floyd said.
