This is opinion piece.

Thompson soon-to-be ninth-grade quarterback Trent Seaborn continues to show maturity – not to mention talent – beyond his years.

Last fall, as an eighth-grader, Seaborn assumed the role as the Warriors’ starting quarterback in the playoffs and led the team to a fourth straight Class 7A state title. In the championship game against Auburn, he threw five touchdowns as was named MVP.

This week, he announced on social media that he had been invited to participate in a Rivals star pro day event on June 28 in Atlanta.

He also announced – though thankful for the invitation – he would not be able to attend because his Thompson team will be in Foley that day competing in a 7-on-7 tournament.

“I wish I would attend but my team always comes first,” he said.

In a world too often filled with self-promotion, Trent chose team first.

Kudos to him. I’ll look forward to seeing him in Foley this summer.

Lions hitting the road

It’s the time of year where most college football coaches are on the road recruiting.

It’s particularly rewarding for me personally to see Brent Dearmon’s UNA staff covering our state. Not just because I think we have plenty of talent to go around but because Dearmon and many of his guys are Alabama natives.

Former Vigor and Auburn star Deshaun Davis spent much of this week in the Mobile and Baldwin County areas recruiting. Former Spanish Fort star Thomas Johnston was at Ramsay earlier this week. It doesn’t seem that long ago that those two guys were prep rivals. Now they are on the same team.

Dearmon, of course, was a star at Vigor and also head coach at B.C. Rain before heading to college. He is in his first year as the UNA head coach.

“We build this program with Alabama HS football players,” he wrote on social media this week. “Our staff is raiding the entire state this week. Every single coach is recruiting Alabama this week.”

Coaching changes

Theodore athletic director and head football coach Steve Mask announced Friday that Jeff Stanley has been promoted to head baseball coach.

He replaces D.J. Turo.

Stanley had been an assistant baseball coach and also serves as assistant football coach and strength and conditioning coordinator.

“I’m excited to announce Jeff Stanley as our new head baseball coach,” Mask said. “I know he will bring a sound, fundamental approach to the game, and I believe the kids will enjoy playing for him and have a lot of fun.”

Other coaching news this week:

Cedar Bluff head football coach Alan Beckett has been hired in a high school relations and offensive consultant role at Faulkner University. Beckett went 10-12 in two years at Cedar Bluff. He also has been the head coach at Winterboro and Collinsville.

Baniko Harley, who quarterbacked Ramsay to a state championship in 2016, has returned to his alma mater as offensive coordinator.

Clarence Williams is the new head football coach at Woodlawn.

Tarrant High has hired Matt Stockton as its new football coach. He replaces Rico Jackson, who left to take the Anniston job.

Pretty Cool

It was nice to see a pair of Alabama natives going head-to-head in a Major League Baseball game this week.

On Thursday, former Foley and Florence star Braxton Garrett started on the mound for the Miami Marlins against former Buckhorn ace Kyle Wright and the Atlanta Braves.

Unfortunately, neither were around for a decision because of a lengthy rain delay. Both pitched the first three innings and didn’t come back out after the delay. Garrett allowed one hit and no runs and struck out three on 48 pitches. Wright also pitched three shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out six.

Miami rallied to win 5-4.

Thought for the Week

“We should not put God to the test. Instead, we should trust Him and live by faith.”

Ben Thomas is the high school sportswriter at AL.com. He has been named one of the 50 legends of the Alabama Sports Writers Association. Follow him on twitter at @BenThomasPreps or email him at [email protected]. He can be heard weekly on “Inside High School Sports” on SportsTalk 99.5 FM in Mobile or on the free IHeart Radio App at 2 p.m. Wednesdays.