No. 9 Thompson vs Clay-Chalkville live updates from Alabama high school football game

Pregame: The 2020's have been dominated by Cougars, Warriors

07:51 PM ET, August 27 2026, Joseph Spears

Since 2020, Clay-Chalkville and Thompson have been the dominant powers when it comes to their respective classes in Alabama.

Thompson won its first state championship back in 1982 and finally found its way back to the top in 2019 winning the Class 7A championship. That win was the start of their dominance as they've won every Class 7A title since aside from 2023 where they lost to Central (AL) 21-19 in the championship.

Clay-Chalkville won its first title in 199 and returned to the top in 2014. The new decade has been the program's brightest spot though as they've won the Class 6A championship in 2021, 2023 and 2025.

Pregame: Peak quarterback play will be on display

07:16 PM ET, August 27 2026, Joseph Spears

Thompson quarterback and Alabama commit Trent Seaborn was dynamic in this game last season despite the loss throwing for 280 yards and three touchdowns. Last week at Central (AL), Seaborn threw for 335 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-14 victory.

Clay-Chalkville junior quarterback Cornelius Eldridge Jr. had a night to remember in the Cougars season-opening win. He only had 13 completions but passed for 300 yards and three touchdowns as they upset previously ranked Creekside (GA) 29-20.

Pregame: What to know about Clay-Chalkville-Thompson history

07:06 PM ET, August 27 2026, Joseph Spears

Clay-Chalkville and Thompson first played each other on the gridiron back in 1998. They played each other again in 1999 but took a nearly 20 year hiatus before playing each other again.

While Thompson's racked up state title after state title over the last decade, one team that Warriors haven't had much success against is Clay-Chalkville. The Cougars are 5-1 all-time against the Warriors with Thompson's only win coming in the 2022 meeting 17-14.

Since resuming in 2022, every game has been decided by one position. Last year the Cougars won an instant-classic 28-24.