The high school football season for the state of Alabama kicked off on Thursday night, and the fans were treated to a rematch of last year's Class 7A state semifinals between Thompson and Central-Phenix City. Thompson won last year's semifinal 35-34, giving Thursday's season-opening rematch the makings of another thriller.Instead, Thompson turned a close first half into a 41-14 rout. Tied 14-14 with in the final minute of the first half, four-star quarterback Trent Seaborn connected with three-star running back CJ Cowley on fourth down to take a 21-14 lead into the half. Thompson dominated after halftime, outscoring Central-Phenix City 20-0 to finish the game on a 27-0 run.Jafari Pegues got the second-half scoring started with a 1-yard touchdown run followed by Seaborn connecting with Dedrick Kimbrough for a 39-yard passing touchdown. Running back CJ Cowley put the game on ice with under six minutes left in the fourth as he scored from 16 yards out. Trent Seaborn Sets the Tone for the SeasonThe Alabama commit lived up to his lofty preseason expectations by passing for four touchdowns in the season-opening win for the Warriors. Seaborn's first touchdown of the season came in the first quarter when he found senior tight end and UCF commit Tanner Ehmen, for a 13-yard passing touchdown. Seaborn tossed two more touchdown passes in the first half to Darion Moseley and CJ Cowley as the Warriors took a 21-14 lead into the half. In the second half, Seaborn and the offense continued to control the game. He connected with Dedrick Kimbrough for a 39-yard touchdown pass to make it 34-14. Seaborn also directed two second-half touchdown drives that ended with scoring runs by Pegues and Cowley.CJ Cowley Could Be an X-Factor for ThompsonEntering the season, the Hoover transfer was expected to be a key part in the Warriors' offense, and on Thursday night, Cowley delivered. He scored his first touchdown of the season on a crucial fourth-down play with 43 seconds left in the first half. Cowley was lined up next to Seaborn in the backfield before he took off on a wheel route, and moments later Seaborn found him wide open down the sidelines for the touchdown. This versatility in the passing game will make Cowley difficult for opposing defenses to prepare for this season. Late in the fourth quarter, Cowley put the game away with a 16-yard touchdown run with less than six minutes remaining. Thompson Has One of Alabama's Deepest Receiving CorpsThe receiver depth that the Warriors have makes Seaborn's job that much easier in the passing game. Darion Moseley is Thompson's top returning receiver and opened the season with a touchdown catch. Mason McClure showed his big-play ability with a 68-yard reception on Thompson's first snap, while Dedrick Kimbrough, who holds offers from Alabama and Oklahoma, added a 39-yard touchdown catch. Add Ehmen at tight end and Cowley out of the backfield, and Seaborn has the weapons to lead one of Alabama's most dangerous passing attacks.The BJ Coleman-Braylen Averett Connection Could Be DangerousThe second half was a nightmare on both sides of the ball for the Red Devils, but the success the offense showed in the first half should keep the Red Devil fans optimistic. On the first scoring drive for Central-Phenix City, Coleman connected with Averett for a 14-yard and 22-yard gain to get the offense moving. This connection in the intermediate passing game helped the Red Devils score early in the second quarter. Down 14-7 late in the second quarter, Coleman found Averett again as the sophomore turned the completion into a 57-yard touchdown.Their first-half success suggests the Coleman-Averett connection could become an important part of Central-Phenix City's passing game.Red Devils' Defense Showed PromiseLike the offense, the defense played well in the first half. Marcus Price, who recorded 8.5 sacks last season, notched his first sack of 2026 in the opening quarter.Central-Phenix City also produced some encouraging defensive moments before halftime. Marcus Price, who recorded 8.5 sacks last season, notched his first sack of 2026 in the opening quarter, and the Red Devils later stopped Thompson on fourth down deep in their own territory.Those positives were overshadowed by Thompson's second-half dominance, but they give Central something to build on entering Week 2.Thompson faces another significant test next week against Clay-Chalkville, while Central-Phenix City will try to rebound on the road to Pell City. Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow