For the fourth time in six years, four-time reigning Class 7A state champion Thompson will play a nationally televised high school game this fall.

Thompson athletic director Vincent Pitts confirmed in a release Tuesday that the Warriors would host Class 6A power Clay-Chalkville at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28 in a game televised by ESPN2.

The news was reported last month by a Clay-Chalkville social media account.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our program, our players and our coaching staff,” Pitts said. “We are thrilled that our school, community, city, players and coaches will again be featured on the biggest stage.”

Thompson has twice played Hewitt-Trussville on ESPN’s family of network and also hosted national power Lipscomb Academy a year ago on the network.

“Our Board of Education, and superintendent, Dr. Wayne Vickers, head football coach Mark Freeman, his coaching staff, our football players and everyone involved have done a remarkable job getting us to national prominence,” Pitts said. “Our goal is to remain a fixture on the national stage. I am so proud of their hard work, and we look forward to a great year and another great ESPN telecast.”

Freeman’s Warriors went 11-3 in 2022 and defeated Auburn 49-24 in the Class 7A championship game. The regular season included a 17-14 win over Drew Gilmer’s Cougars.

Clay-Chalkville went 8-2 a year ago, including an upset loss to Parker (7-6) in the first round of the playoffs. The Cougars went 15-0 and won the 6A title in 2021.

Both teams annually have top recruits.

That is once again the case this fall.

The Cougars’ roster includes Alabama athlete commit Jaylen Mbakwe, Oregon offensive tackle commit JacQawn McRoy, uncommitted wide receiver Mario Craver and Auburn linebacker commit D’Angelo “D.J.” Barber.

The Thompson roster includes senior safety Kaleb Harris, junior Southern Cal defensive back commit Anquon Fegans and freshman quarterback Trent Seaborn.