The Warrior Zone

Coach Michael Montgomery. Photo by Frankie Crim

Coach Michael Montgomery has been around football his entire life. Growing up in Okolona, MS he played football, baseball and track. After getting some time at fullback his freshman year of high school Montgomery moved to the line and has been involved with line play ever since. After a stellar high school career Montgomery signed with Mississippi State and coach Rocky Felker, however it was MSU’s next coach, the legendary Jackie Sherrill that had the most influence on his life. Coach Montgomery played at MSU from 1989 to 1992. After being recruited as a nose guard he was moved to offensive line by MSU coach Rick Tricket and ended up starting games at left tackle, left guard, right tackle and right guard while playing for the Bulldogs. He was also the backup center and back up long snapper. After graduating with a degree in Communications and Public Relations Montgomery spent valuable time in training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos. Montgomery wanted to stay involved in football so he then asked coach Sherrill for a position as a student coach at MSU. Coach Sherrill had an even better offer in mind. He agreed to hire Montgomery as a paid assistant if he agreed to continue his education and get his masters degree. Coach Montgomery did just that and ended up on Sherrill’s staff for three years as Operations Manager and got his Masters degree in Athletic Administration and Facilities Management. Coach Montgomery began coaching high school football in 1998 and has been on staff at Thompson since 2006.

Coach Montgomery loves being at THS and looks forward to the future. When asked what he enjoys the most about coaching Montgomery said, “I want to be hard but fair, to love and nurture my students to be twice as successful, to try and teach kids about life and not just football. I want to help develop young people and prepare them to go on and be successful in life, not just my athletes but all the students at THS.” Coach Montgomery really enjoys working with the lineman at THS. After several years on the defensive side of the ball Coach Montgomery is now working with the offensive lineman. “The offensive line position is a position of honor and dignity more than any other.” Montgomery said. The Warriors changed to a zone blocking scheme this season and the line has been improving and adjusting to the new system. Coach Montgomery has developed a series of “buzz” words for the line so that they will better understand what each type of block requires and the Warriors continue to improve in picking up on the concepts.

Coach Montgomery enjoys the challenge of coaching in 6A Region 8 which he calls “the SEC west.” “You can’t be the best until you beat the best and you can’t beat the best if you don’t play the best” Montgomery said. The Warriors face that challenge in region play against great athletes and great coaches every season. Coach Montgomery feels that Alabaster and Thompson High School are in a great geographic location in fast growing Shelby County and he is confident that “Thompson football has not seen its best days yet and I am looking forward to what is ahead”.

By Alan Hester

Caleb and Amy Ross

Christine Boatwright with the Shelby county reporter writes about the Ross family.

 Amy and Caleb Ross may have moved recently to Shelby County, but with Caleb’s new position as Thompson High School’s new head football coach, the couple already feels a part of the community.

The couple moved to Maylene from Prattville when Caleb took his first head coaching job with the Thompson Warriors, Amy Ross said.

“He was at Prattville High school. He was a teacher and assistant football coach there,” Ross said…… Read more at the shelby county reporter

Thompson High School senior Austin Carter intercepts a Carver pass in the Warriors' win Sept. 23. (Contributed/Eric Starling)

Neal Wagner reports on Thompson’s Friday night win.

The Thompson High School Warriors picked up an impressive 48-0 win over G.W. Carver for head coach Caleb Ross’ first win in his career Sept. 23.In the first half, Thompson controlled the game defensively, but failed to execute properly on offense and penalties left them with only a 7-0 lead at the half. Read more at the alabaster reporter

THS alumni Frankie Crim captured the Warriors rushing out of the fieldhouse during their Sept. 9 game against Vestavia. Crim has been taking pictures of the Warriors and attending every THS game for the past five years. (Contributed/Frankie Crim)

Neal Wagner with the Alabaster reporter writes about long time Thompson football supporter, Frankie Crim.

Alabaster resident Frankie Crim and her former Thompson High School classmates recently celebrated their 30-year high school reunion. But as she caught up with her peers, Crim began to realize she possessed something they didn’t.

“It’s like I never really ……. Read more at the alabaster reporter

THS senior linebacker Augustine Simelana "Auguie". Photo by Eric Starling.

THS linebacker Augustine Simelana has come a long way to play the first home game of his senior season for the Warriors. Augustine was born in Kenya and moved to Alabaster with his family when he was in the 7th grade. Augustine had never played football before moving to America and really did not know anything about the game. However he loved sports and when he found out how popular football was in Alabama he was eager to play. Augustine played for the first time in the 8th grade but being so new to the sport he did not get to play very much. That has all changed now as Simelana has been starting at linebacker for the Warriors since his junior year.

Augustine is looking forward to the first home game of the season. “It’s gonna be great, it’s been a long time since we have played a home game and we want to show people what we can do.” Simelana said. Augustine does his best to be prepared for the game each week. “I try to block out all other distractions on game day and only think about the game. I forget everything else so I can perform my best. I try to ask my coaches for advice to know what my opponent is going to do during the game.” Simelana said. Augustine is looking forward to playing for the home crowd and had this to say to his fellow students and THS fans. “Come out and support us against Vestavia on Friday night and we will win the game for you!”

By Alan Hester

The Thompson freshman football team opened their season with a 28-8 victory over the Shelby County Wildcats. The Warriors showed explosiveness scoring on offense, defense and special teams to get their season off to a good start. After both teams fumbled on their opening drives the Warriors took the lead mid way through the first quarter when quarterback Zach Brammer scored on an option sweep, David Buckelew booted the extra point and the Warriors broke on top 7-0.

The defense scored the next touchdown in the second quarter. Cornerback Bailey Williamson deflected a Wildcat pass and safety David Buckelew snatched the ball out of the air and returned it about 25 yards for the Warrior touchdown. Buckelew then added the extra point and Thompson led 14-0. Later in the second quarter Brammer hit slot receiver Matt Tolbert on the bubble screen and Tolbert scampered in from 12 yards out for another Thompson touchdown. Buckelew added the extra point and the Warriors led 21-0 at half time.

The Wildcats took the opening kickoff in the second half and held the ball for almost the entire quarter. The Thompson defense stiffened and caused a fumble at the THS 3 yard line to stop the long drive. Luke Moore, Brett Blackmon, Andrew Green, Landon Franklin and Ryan Mitchell recorded multiple tackles during the game for Thompson. The Wildcat offense scored with less than a minute to play in the game and made the two point conversion to cut the lead to 21-8. However the Warriors answered on the ensuing kickoff when Xavier Johnson returned the kick over 80 yards for the final Thompson touchdown. Buckelew converted the extra point and the Warriors won the game 28-8.

By Alan Hester